“Have you guarded lots of women, or am I your first?” She blushed at the sexual connotation in the latter of her question.
His half grin widened. “No, you aren’t my first. There have been several women over the years.”
She gazed out the window, wondering if those women had tasted his lips, felt his body move against theirs, his moans whisper in their ears. Not that she cared. She’d decided whatever she felt for Hank couldn’t be love. She was in love with Brook’s father. What she felt for Hank was some sort of attraction magnified by their forced closeness.
“I thought you said we were only fifteen minutes from the house,” she said a few minutes later. “I get the feeling we’re driving around in circles.”
“We are,” he agreed. “Just making sure we aren’t being followed.”
“The first thing I intend to do is take a long, hot shower.”
“Hmm, and I want a big meal, anything that doesn’t come wrapped in cellophane or biodegradable paper.”
“Will there be food there or will we have to grocery shop?”
“The house is fully furnished and the pantries should be completely stocked. You won’t be sticking your head out the door for anything until the prosecutor sends a car to pick you up for the trial.”
“I’m going to need some more things for Brook.”
He nodded. “Whatever you need, let me know and I’ll get it for you.”
“We should be fine until tomorrow, then I’ll need some more formula and diapers.” It was easier to focus on these mundane things in an effort to ignore the electricity that sizzled in the air between them.
It was the same electricity that had been buildingfrom the moment they had finished making love. Their lovemaking had only provided a temporary respite and she knew the charged air was desire building again, needing to be sated once more.
Colette didn’t intend to let it happen again. The first time had confused her enough. She needed to keep some distance from Hank, knew it would be far too easy to allow the circumstances of their forced closeness to dictate her heart.
“This is it,” he said as he finally pulled into the driveway of a small, nondescript house in a quiet neighborhood.
This was where she’d spend the next fourteen days of her life, Colette thought as she looked at the house with interest. Painted white, with Wedgwood blue shutters, the house and lawn looked well kept, as if owned by a family with pride. “It looks nice.” It certainly didn’t look like a government-owned place for keeping witnesses.
“Come on, let’s get inside and get you that shower and I’ll see if I can rustle us up something to eat.”
Inside, the house welcomed with comfortable furniture in earth tones and the lingering scent of lemon oil. “At least it’s clean,” Hank said as he set his duffel bag down. “The last time I came here it looked like a pigpen. I raised all kinds of hell.”
“Your hellraising must have worked. It looks spotless.” She walked through the living room and peeked into the kitchen, where the countertops gleamed and the kitchen table sported a centerpiece of wooden fruit.
From the kitchen she went down a short hallway, stopping at the first doorway that led to a bedroom.A double bed, dresser drawers and a nightstand gave the room a functional air. The floral bedspread and matching curtains added a touch of warmth.
The second bedroom held a double bed, but also had a crib shoved into one corner. “They knew you’d be bringing Brook,” Hank said from behind her.
He stood so close to her she felt his breath on the nape of her neck. She moved farther into the room, away from him. “Looks like I’ll bunk in here.” She placed Brook on the bed and turned to look at Hank. “If you’ll bring me Brook’s things from your duffel bag, I think I’ll give her a quick sponge bath and put her down in the crib. She’ll probably be happy to sleep without being held for a change.”
His gaze shot from the bed, back to her, and for a moment she saw a flame light his eyes, a flame that beckoned her. Her mouth grew dry as she realized he was thinking of her on the bed with him. “Hank…Brook’s things?” she said, needing to break the spell.
“Yeah, right.” He turned, left, and was back a moment later with the baby items he’d carried in his duffel bag. He tossed them onto the bed, then left the room without another word.
Colette drew in a deep breath, her fingers shaking slightly as she undressed Brook. How was she ever going to spend the next fourteen days with Hank in this house and not fall into the fire of his eyes?
Carrying Brook into the bathroom, Colette tried to shove thoughts of Hank away. She found a washcloth beneath the sink and focused her attention on giving Brook a bath. She laughed as the little girl squirmedand waved her arms in the air, obviously enjoying the feel of the warm cloth against her naked skin.
Once Brook was clean, rediapered and in a fresh sleeper, Colette gave her a bottle, then put her down for a nap. She stood for a long moment by the side of the crib, loving her daughter, wondering if they had a future.
“Colette?” Hank appeared in her doorway. “I’ve got a couple of steaks ready to eat.”
She followed him into the kitchen. He’d set the table and on each plate was a large steak and a baked potato. “How’d you manage this in such a short time?” she asked in amazement as she slid into a chair at the table.
“The miracles of modern technology.” He pointed to a microwave on the countertop. “Broiled steaks and zapped potatoes only take minutes.” He scooted into the chair across from her.
