All she had to do was take a step forward and she’d be flush against him. Her body tingled, this time not from the cold. Man, she needed to think. “Sounds good.” Edging to the side, she pushed open the curtain and moved into the chilly room without looking at him.
He sighed. “The guest bedroom is the second door on the left. I’ll be there in a minute.”
She grabbed a towel, quickly wrapping it around herself. Then she tiptoed into the long hallway and all but ran for the right room. Moving inside, she found another cute nightie set, this one purple, lying on the bed. After drying off, she put it on and jumped into what looked like a queen-sized bed covered with a handmade wedding-band quilt.
The room was cute and definitely had a woman’s touch. Pretty vases covered the wide dresser near the door, and matching lamps adorned the heavy wooden end tables.
Somebody knocked softly on the door and Noni jumped. “Come in.”
Tina came in, bandages in her hands. “We can’t let that stay wet.” The woman’s movements were gentle as she sat and removed the first bandage. “You feeling better?”
Noni nodded automatically. “Thank you for, well, everything.”
Tina grinned, showing a dimple in her left cheek. “Not a problem. Part of dating a cop.”
“Even so, I owe you.”
Tina sprayed antibacterial ointment over the wound. “Who’s after you?”
Noni couldn’t blame her for being curious. “I’m pretty sure I can’t tell you. We don’t want to get Malloy in trouble.”
“That sounds ominous.” Tina sat back. “So you’re a cop or detective?”
Noni snorted. “No. I make lotions.” She looked closer at her new friend. The woman was stunning. Tina’s skin was flawless and smooth. “Speaking of which, if you don’t mind my asking, what do you use on your face?” Maybe she should compare some other products in her work.
Tina’s dark eyebrow lifted. “Just hand soap.”
Horror filled Noni, the real kind, and she gasped. “You do not. Just soap?”
“Yep.” Tina sat back, her eyes twinkling.
“Oh, girl. I’m sending you a care package the first chance I get. I make lotions.” Just soap? It was a travesty. “What’s your favorite scent?”
Tina chuckled. “Dog fur usually.” She cleared her throat. “I’m a vet. I guess I like vanilla? And gardenias are my favorite flower.”
Perfect. Noni could totally make a facial cream as well as a body lotion with those scents. As a thank-you. “Expect a box of goodies . . . sometime.” When, she had no clue.
“I look forward to it.” Tina stood and handed over a hairbrush. “Jamie is out of conditioner, so good luck with this. You need sleep to deal with the shock of the night. This place is safe. I promise.”
Noni grimaced and took the brush. “Thank you again.”
“See you tomorrow.” The long-legged beauty left the room.
“Hand soap,” Noni muttered, yanking the brush through her long hair. Ouch. Yeah, she could’ve used some conditioner.
The door opened, and Denver strode inside wearing only boxer briefs, their packs in his hand. “We both have clothing for tomorrow but nothing for tonight.” He took in her purple cami, and his eyes flared. “I hope you get to keep that.”
She shifted, her body heating. Again. The man looked like he wanted to eat her alive. “What’s our plan?” She had to stay on point.
He shut the door, dropped the packs, and got into bed with her. “Sleep and then we need to find another safe place tomorrow. We haven’t found Richie and the baby, so staying close to the gang who tried to take us out is our best bet for now. I’ll question members in the hospital tomorrow.”
“Is it Richie’s gang?” She hadn’t realized the gang was that big.
“Affiliates and drug partners,” Denver said, reaching over and turning off his light. The room slid into darkness. “Go to sleep, Noni. We’ll figure everything out tomorrow.”
Intimacy wound around them, and she snuggled down, her mind spinning. The shock of the night slapped her, and her eyes filled. Man, she couldn’t cry right now. God, she was scared and hurt and confused and just lost. She turned onto her side and let the tears fall, fighting so hard to stay quiet.
He gently turned her, pulling her right into his furnace-hot body. “Let it out.”
