CHAPTER 9
Libby awoke slowly, pulling herself away from the land of dreams and into reality. She cracked open one eyelid, noticing that the room was no longer pitch-black but held the deep gray of predawn. She knew Tony was still in the bed next to her, could still feel his warmth, could hear the throb of his deep, even breathing vibrating the bed.
She turned over cautiously to look at him. He slept on his back, his deep breathing attesting to the fact that he was sound asleep. She could see that she’d stolen the blankets from him at some time during the night as his legs were bare, sprawled apart in complete relaxation.
She knew she should get up or go back to sleep. She shouldn’t be lying here staring at him while he slept. But she couldn’t stop herself.
She’d known his legs were long, but she hadn’t expected them to be covered with such fine, dark hair. And she hadn’t anticipated the muscles that marked them with masculine shapeliness. The briefs he wore hugged him tightly, causing an intense heat to sweep through her as she moved her gaze upward. The T-shirt had ridden up his stomach, exposing the flat, tanned surface broken only by a narrow line of dark hair that disappeared into the top of his shorts.
If she reached out and touched him, would he awaken? By a mere touch on his stomach or thigh, would she stimulate a response she wasn’t prepared to handle? She knew instinctively that his skin would be warm and welcoming. She also knew with a certainty that if she touched him in invitation, he wouldn’t hesitate to take her. With men like Tony, love wasn’t necessary…and it certainly had not been love she’d seen radiating from his eyes when she’d stepped out of the bathroom the night before. It had been lust…uncomplicated, blatant desire.
She rolled back over on her side, away from him. She wouldn’t touch him. She wanted him, but she wasn’t sure she was prepared to settle for what little he had to give. She squeezed her eyes tightly closed, hoping sleep would come again and bring peaceful oblivion, steal away the heated, erotic thoughts that danced provocatively in her head….
Tony knew the exact moment when she fell back asleep. He felt her muscles ease into the mattress and her breathing resume a steady rhythm. He slowly allowed his own muscles to relax their tenseness. He’d awakened and instantly felt her gaze on him. It had taken all his control to maintain his aura of deep sleep. But he knew if he opened his eyes and saw her, he wouldn’t be able to stop himself from reaching out for her.
And God knew, he didn’t want to do that. If he was smart, he would not only get the hell out of this bed, but he’d get away from this woman, who was quickly gaining an obsessive status in his head. If he was smart, he’d run as far away from her as possible and never see her again. After all, this mystery was hers. She had the necklace. It was her problem.
He frowned, knowing that simply wasn’t true. Yes, she had the necklace, but there was no way he could walk away from her and let her deal alone with the powers of the New Republic of Man.
However, he knew if he made love to her, continued to get more deeply involved, they both would lose. He’d seen firsthand the destructive powers of love. He didn’t want to see Libby grow from a vibrant, strong woman to a shadow woman. He’d seen it happen to his mother, and he refused to allow it to happen to Libby. She deserved better than he had to give.
Another day or two and this mystery would be solved, and they would both return to their own lives. He could be strong for that length of time. He could fight his overwhelming desire to taste once again the sweetness of her lips, caress the shapely curves of her breasts.
She’d go back to her own life and she would eventually find someone who could give her all that she deserved, a man who wouldn’t shy away from her love. And he would continue on his solitary path. He closed his eyes, wondering why this thought filled him with such an overwhelming ache of sadness.
* * *
The next time Libby opened her eyes, the morning sunshine streamed through the partially opened curtains and she was alone in bed. She sat up, pushing her hair off her face and looked around curiously. It was obvious she was not only alone in the bed but also in the room.
She got out of bed, spying a note on the kitchen table. She scanned it quickly, unsurprised to discover that Tony had gone to the grocery store to pick up something for breakfast.
While he was gone, she quickly dressed and made the bed. She had just finished, when he returned, carrying a sack of groceries. “Ah, good, you’re up,” he said cheerfully. “I trust you slept okay.”
“Fine,” she answered, noting that the easy charm was back in his eyes, effectively hiding any deeper emotions he might have.
“I got sausage and eggs here,” he said, unpacking the groceries. “And coffee and milk. In fact, I got enough supplies for us to hole up here for today and tomorrow. Oh, and here’s a little something for you.” He tossed her a box of Twinkies.
“Thanks.” It was ridiculous really, how the fact that he’d bought her a box of the treats touched her. Most women received flowers from their male friends, but as Libby looked at the box of Twinkies, she realized they were more precious than a dozen roses could ever be.
She sat down at the kitchen table, watching as he efficiently sliced off the sausage and placed it in an old iron skillet he found in one of the rickety kitchen cabinets. As the sausage sizzled, he filled an aluminum coffeepot and got it perking on one of the burners. Within minutes a savory mixture of scents permeated the air.
Libby got up and crossed to the curtains, starting to pull them back all the way to allow the morning sun better entry.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Tony said softly. “We don’t know how thorough these men will be if they’re still looking for us. We don’t want to make it too easy on them.”
“Oh, of course,” Libby replied, pulling the curtains closed again. For a brief moment, she’d forgotten the men, the danger that still existed from them.
She sat back down at the table. “Do you really think we need to stay here for two days?”
Tony moved the perking coffee off the burner. “I don’t know, Libby. I’m functioning in the dark as much as you are. I just think if we give ourselves a little time, say about two days, then our odds are better at not encountering those men. Hopefully by that time those men will think we got lost, or went back to Kansas City or left the country.”
Libby nodded, wondering what they were going to do to wile away the next forty-eight hours in this tiny room. They couldn’t go outside and explore the area. There wasn’t a television—not even a radio—in the room. Just Tony, with his incredibly tight jeans, his evocative smile, his powerful maleness. It was definitely going to be a hellish two days.
“Sure you don’t want at least a piece of sausage?” he asked moments later as he joined her at the table.
She shook her head. “Just the coffee.” She took a sip and grimaced. “And I think one cup of it will be quite enough.”
“Bad, huh?” He shook his head ruefully. “I never could make it without the benefit of a machine. But I did remember to get some lunch meat for sandwiches and hot dogs for supper. At least we can’t mess those up with the antiquated cooking equipment.”
