Tara’s heart melted a littlemore.
“Except, shit… I’m sorry.” His gaze lifted to meet hers. “Maybe Kurt can recommend someone who can stay with you.”
“Don’t worry about it. Evan is the most important thing. And I have plenty of contacts. I’ll figure out something, no problem.”
His lips pinched, but he nodded and resumed staring at the floor.
They sat in silence, unmoving for several minutes, until finally he straightened.Without a word, he lifted her easily, placing her sideways on his lap. Her pulse picked up as his tortured gaze met hers, as if to judge her reaction. He glanced at her mouth and desire zipped down her spine.
Ignoring her somersaulting stomach, she closed her eyes and laid her head against his hard chest. They both deserved more than a mindless distraction.
With a sigh, he relaxed into thecushions and enveloped her in his deliciously warm arms. Squeezing her eyes tight to hold back the tears—when was the last time a man, or anyone, had held her like this?—she fell asleep to the beat of his heart.
Jeff woke with a pain in his side, a warm body in his lap, and a hard-on.
At least he’d slept. A much-needed respite from the fear for Evan that had become like a constant low-voltageshock running beneath his skin.
The sun wasn’t quite up, but it had to be close judging by the amount of light leaking in through the thin curtains.
Tara lay against his chest, eyes closed, her breath slow and steady. Her pinned-back hair revealed a graceful neck, a perfectly turned jaw, and lush, pink lips that he’d nearly lost his mind and kissed last night.
At the time, she had seemedthe perfect distraction. It turned out, holding her worked almost as well. Maybe not as satisfying, but infinitely smarter. He’d definitely needed the sleep. As had she.
Except now he wanted her all over again. And if she woke while still on top of him, she wouldn’t be able to miss the signs.
Cradling her in his arms, he stood and laid her on the couch, tucking the blanket around her slenderbody. With a sigh, she rolled onto her side, facing away from him with her knees curled up. She might be all wrong for him, but damn if she didn’t heat his blood.
She was more than beautiful. She was smart, fun, caring. A man could do worse.
That’s your libido talking, asshole.
Right. She’d been there for him when he needed comfort, but nothing had changed since yesterday. She was stillall wrong for him. Not to mention they worked together. At least for now. You didn’t look for quick relief with a coworker. That was just asking for trouble.
And Evan was still missing, so that’s where his focus needed to be. Olivia had said she’d text him with any news, and his phone showed nothing.
He started coffee and jumped into the shower. When he emerged five minutes later with a towelaround his waist, Tara stood at the counter drinking from a steaming mug, staring out the kitchen window at the barren trees.
“Morning,” he said.
She turned and her gaze widened at the sight of him. “Morning. Any news?”
“No.”
Her dark eyes focused on her coffee. “I want to apologize.”
“For what?” Water dripped down his back.
“Last night. I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop.”
“It’s fine.”He gripped his towel, ridiculously tempted to drop it altogether. “This place is the size of a shoebox. There’s no way you could’ve avoided it.”
“But you didn’t want me to know.” Her gaze flicked across his torso before meeting his eyes. “You were careful not to reveal anything before yesterday, so I’m sorry it happened like this.”
He sighed. With luck, she’d think the goosebumps rising onhis damp skin were from the cool air. “I didn’t want anyone at Steele to question my ability to do the job. And I didn’t want to see the pity on everyone’s faces, or have to answer their weekly questions about how the search was going when there was no news.”
Her brow wrinkled with concern. “I won’t say anything. I know how much it sucks when everyone knows you’re suffering but doesn’t knowwhat to do about it.”
“Your sister.”
