“You could.”The cynicism, the bitterness from whatever was happening to him vibrated in his words.
Hurt rippled through her.The pain of its aftermath brought stinging tears to the back of her eyes.With a determined effort, Lesley was able to forestall their flow.“I don’t suppose you realize that the mining district just east of the city is still one ofthe largest lead-, zinc- and silver-producing areas in the world.Also, the Powder House Museum that was part of the original Fort Sherman is located at North Idaho College.”She continued to ramble until her voice cracked.She inhaled a quivering breath and bowed her head.
“Lesley.”Her name came on a low, pleading breath.
“It’s all right,” she said shakily.“Really.I understand.If it’s trust you want, you’ve got mine.You may not have been around long, but I know one thing—you’re not a criminal, Cole.I’ll wait because that’s what you want and seem to need from me.”
A smile trembled from her lips when she raised her eyes to meet his.His gaze was glistening, his expression brooding and thoughtful, but he said nothing and she didn’t either.Their meal arrived and they ate in silence.
Cole’s knife sliced across the rare T-bone steak.“Do you know much about airbags?”
The question came so casually that Lesley didn’t catch the importance.
“You mean the ones airlines hand out?”
“No,” Cole mocked her softly.“I mean the ones in cars.Those little toys I tinker around with.”
“Oh.”Lesley took a sip of her coffee.“No, I can’t say that I do.”
“It’s been estimated that air bags installed in automobiles could save up to two thousand lives every year.”
“Why don’t car makers install them, then?”Lesley hoped to appear as nonchalant as possible.She didn’t know what Cole was telling her, but it obviously had great importance to him.
“Only Mercedes-Benz offers this safety measure as an option on their automobiles, but at the cost of eight hundred dollars, it’s an expensive option.”
“Yes.”Lesley swallowed.“Yes, it is.”
“It would mean quite a bit to highway safety if these devices could be made and installed cheaply in American cars, wouldn’t it?”
“Two thousand lives.”She quoted his own figures back to him.
Cole laid his knife across the top of the plate and pushed his chair back.His hand rested across his stomach.“That was one terrific steak.”
“Mine too,” Lesley echoed.Cole was kind enough not to comment that she had barely touched her meal.
He paid their tab and left a generous tip.His hand possessively cupped her elbow as he led the way out of the restaurant and into his car.He held the car door open for her, and his eyes rested on the dashboard momentarily, then flickered to her in an apologetic smile.
“I’ve only figured out the driver’s side.”He spoke absently.He closed her door and, puzzled, Lesley watched as he stared into space for a moment.The skies were obliterated.There wasn’t a star in the heavens.Even the moon was invisible, tucked behind a thick layer of clouds.Still, she glanced upward, wondering what Cole found so fascinating.
He climbed into his side of the car and started the engine.Placing his hand along the back of the seat, he looked behind him, prepared to back out of the parking space.As he turned his head, their eyes met and held for a breathless second.
“You’re an incredibly beautiful woman, Lesley Brown.”
Lesley’s gaze darted downward.Was this one of his lines meant to disarm her?If so, he had succeeded beyond even her expectations.“Thank you,” she mumbled.
A finger lightly traced her chin and, following the delicate line of her face, traveled over her ear and down the side of her neck.The long, male finger entwined with the dark curls at the base of her neck.The gentle pressure brought her mouth within inches of his.
He bent forward and brushed his lips against the sensitive skin at the hollow of her neck.Lesley turned her head, thrilling to the delicious shivers that skidded over her skin.
His warm breath fanned her face.“Just a little while longer, I promise, Lesley,” he murmured deeply.The searing kiss that followed his words stole her breath away as it sealed his promise.
One band continued to keep her close to his side as he leisurely made the return trip to the duplex.Lesley directed him down country roads and teasingly pointed out local landmarks.
When Cole pulled into the driveway, Lesley felt an eerie sensation run over her.
“Cole,” she said and was shocked at the sound of her own voice.It was weak and uneven, yet brittle.“Something’s wrong.”
He was instantly alert, his cat eyes taking in the area with one sweeping glare.“Someone’s broken into my apartment,” he announced and pushed open his car door.
