“Forget it, Matt. It’s simply not possible…. I think I should call the police.”
“No.”
“You’ve been very firm about that. Why, Matt?”
He offered the longest pause yet. “Maybe it’s … premature.”
“Premature? Then you don’t think there’s a connection between the things that have happened?”
“I didn’t say that. I just think we ought to give it a little time. Let me see what I can do.”
“What can you possibly do? Neither of us knows where to begin!”
He didn’t argue with her; neither did he agree. Instead, he scowled at his hands.
“Matt, I’m frightened.” As much by the strangeness of his response as by everything else, she told herself. “I haven’t been hurt so far, but maybe I’ve just been lucky. What if the next time—”
“You won’t be hurt,” he gritted out, raising his dark brown eyes to hers. She tried to read his feelings, but they were shuttered. “I’ll stay here. If something happens, I can take care of it.”
Lauren stared at him. “You can’t stay here! My bed’s the only one—and—and anyway, you can’t be with me every single minute of the day. You have to work. So do I. How can you anticipate when something will happen?”
“Ifsomething happens.”
She bolted from the sofa and began to prowl the room. She was confused and upset. “You think I’m paranoid. I know you do. You think I’m making something out of nothing.” Whirling to face him, she stuck her fists on her hips and glared. “The little lady with the rampant imagination. The fanciful little woman to be indulged—that’s the macho attitude isn’t it? That’s whereyou’recoming from!”
Matt’s face paled. He sat up straight, then rose and began to walk stiffly toward the front door. His voice was flat. “I think I’d better leave. If that’s the way you feel …”
Lauren watched him open the door, then close it behind him. What had she said? Hadsheput that look of hurt in his eyes? Had she been responsible for draining the emotion from his voice, that very same voice that had always been so wonderfully expressive?
Her gaze flew to the window. It was dark outside. Once Matt left, she’d be alone. Unable to take back the ugly words she’d said. Open prey to her own impulsiveness and …
The growl of his engine hit her ears as she wrenched open the front door. “Wait!” she cried, arms waving as she tore down the walk. “Matt, wait!” The car was halfway down the drive. Thinking only that she needed him with her, she flew in pursuit. “Don’t go, Matt! I’m sorry! Please … don’t … go!”
The taillights went on at the end of the drive, and the car slowed, about to turn onto the street. Lauren’s steps faltered. She came to a tapering halt. She’d lost him. He was gone.
The car began to turn, then stopped.
She held her breath, then started running again. “Matt! Please! Wait!”
His tall figure emerged from the car but didn’t move farther. Again she faltered and stopped. But the hesitation was only momentary. She knew what she wanted, knew what she needed. With a tiny cry of thanks that she’d been given a second chance, she raced forward.
Chapter Six
Flinging her arms around him, Lauren hung on for dear life. “I’m sorry—so sorry, Matt!” She pressed her cheek to the warm column of his neck. “I didn’t mean what I said. I was nervous and frustrated. I took it out on you.” Slowly she eased her grip on him and met his gaze. Her voice grew softer. “Don’t go. Please?”
“I don’t disbelieve you, Lauren,” he stated quietly.
“I know that. I accused you unfairly. I expected you to have answers where I didn’t. It was wrong of me.”
“Nothing’s changed. I still don’t have answers.”
“I know that.”
“And you still have only one bed.” His hands came to rest lightly on her hips, fingers splayed. “If I were a saint, I’d offer to sleep on the couch, but I’m not a saint.”
His words and the look in his eyes sent ripples of excitement through her. “I know that,” she whispered.
“Then you know what I want?” he asked as softly.
