Colette placed Brook, who had fallen asleep, into the center of one of the beds, then turned and looked at Hank expectantly. “Okay, we’re here. We’re settled. Now I want some answers.”
Hank kicked off his boots and stretched out on the bed, his arms crossed behind his head. His posturewas unconsciously sensual, evoking a whisper of déjà vu in Colette as his dark eyes played over her.
Had he looked at her that way the night they’d supposedly had their one-night stand? Had his eyes been so sensually dark and hot, so filled with suppressed emotions? Or was she remembering another time, another man? She pushed these thoughts aside, needing to focus on the main issue.
“You told me in the car that you’re one of the good guys. So, what exactly does that mean?”
He reached into his back pocket and withdrew his wallet. He flipped it open and tossed it to the foot of the bed. It remained open, displaying a badge and an identification card.
Colette picked it up and read the card. Hank Cooper. U.S. Marshal. She threw the wallet back to him. “Just because you’re a marshal doesn’t mean you’re one of the good guys,” she replied, although in truth this piece of information took the edge off her fear of him.
“True, I suppose. But in your case, I’m on your side.”
Colette sat on the edge of the bed where he remained stretched out. “So, exactly what is my case?”
He sat up and plumped the pillows behind his shoulders. Colette eyed him suspiciously, wondering if he was stalling to get his story straight or if he’d merely been uncomfortable.
He settled back once again, his gaze unwavering on her. “In less than three weeks you are scheduled to appear in court to give testimony against Cameron Collier on murder charges.”
Although somehow in some deep part of her hiswords didn’t surprise her, a chill waltzed up her spine. “Murder charges? Did I see the murder?” she asked. Certainly the trauma of seeing somebody killed would explain her amnesia. She wouldn’t want to remember such a heinous thing.
Hank shook his head. “You didn’t see the murder, but you heard the payoff between Collier and the man he hired. It was a contract killing.”
She’d been working late when she heard voices coming from Mr. Collier’s office. The dream that had haunted Colette night after night suddenly made perfect sense.
It had been her memories reaching out to her in the darkness of night, in the fragments of dreams. “I remember…bits and pieces. Hearing something that frightened me, then somebody chasing me.”
“You managed to get away and went directly to the police. They immediately made arrangements to put you with us in protective custody.”
“When…when was this?” she asked as she wrapped her arms around herself, fighting against an inner chill. “When did all of this happen?”
He sat up, his gaze moving from her to the baby on the opposite bed. “About seven months ago. We knew Collier would try to get to you. I was assigned to make sure that didn’t happen.”
“Who was killed? Who was the victim?” she asked, her head reeling.
“A city councilman who intended to vote some zoning that Collier didn’t like. Apparently Collier tried to buy him off first. When that didn’t work he decided to kill him.”
“So what happened? How did I end up alone inLas Vegas? How did I wind up back at the ranch?” Each answer he gave her called for more questions.
“I can’t answer that. All I know is we were in a hotel in California. I left to pick up some things and when I got back you were gone.”
She stared at him searchingly. Although he appeared perfectly relaxed, she sensed the tension of coiled muscles, the watchful wariness of a cunning animal. Again she had the sense that this man could be dangerous, that emotions like compassion, vulnerability…love…had no place in his life.
“When you turned up at the ranch, we figured that was the safest place for you until the trial. At least you’d be with your family.”
“Did we really have a one-night stand in Las Vegas?” she asked as she stood, too keyed up to sit still.
He averted his gaze from hers and grabbed his wallet, then tucked it back into his pocket. “Nah. I thought if I told you that you’d be more likely to come with me when it was time for us to head back to California.”
“So you intended to seduce me with lies.”
He shrugged. “Whatever it took to get the job done.” His lips curved into a wicked smile as his gaze swept over her slowly, sensually. “Although if you understand the rules, I’m certainly game for a little seduction to help pass the time.”
“And what are the rules?”
With one smooth movement he got up off the bed and approached where she stood. Although her instincts screamed for her to back up, not let him get close, her pride kept her rooted to the spot.
“The rules are simple,” he said as one of his handsreached up to stroke her hair. He stood so close to her his warm breath fanned her face and his wild, provocative scent enveloped her as he continued. “No strings,” he explained, his hand leaving her hair and trailing down to the pulse in the hollow of her throat. “No commitment.” He caressed her neck, his hand warm against her flesh. “As long as both parties understand the rules, there’s no harm in a little seduction.”
