Page 88 of The Search

“So you’d throw me out. It’s not a good idea. Not now.”

“If you get rid of Rudzak, I could go on with my life.”

“I’m trying. I have to find him first.” His gaze narrowed on her face. “It hasn’t been so bad having me here, has it?”

“No.” She looked away. “But it’s time for it to be over.”

“Why now?”

You’re sure everything is under control with you?

It was odd Eve had asked that question. For the first time in years, Sarah was feeling out of control. Hell, for the past two days she had done everything under the sun to keep herself busy just to avoid Logan.

“Why now?” Logan repeated.

She got to her feet. “I think I’ll check on Maggie and then turn in.”

“Aren’t you going to tell me why Eve called?”

“She said she was uneasy about me.”

“And you told her nothing could put you down.”

“If you’re going to eavesdrop, get it right. Any number of things can put me down, I just usually manage to work out of them.”

“I stand corrected. Why was she uneasy?”

“No reason. She doesn’t know anything about Rudzak or that you’re here. The situation with Jane probably has her on edge.”

“Maybe.” He thought about it. “But it’s not like her. She’s been through too much to let one worry carry over to another.”

“You should know.” She headed for the porch. “Since you lived with her for a year. Don’t worry about Eve. It’s Joe’s job to take care of her now.”

“For God’s sake, I’m not worrying about Eve.”

The harshness of his tone startled her, and she looked at him.

He held her gaze with an intentness that made her lose her breath. “I’m worried about you. Is that too much to believe?”

She breathed deeply to ease the sudden tightness in her chest. “Yes. I don’t know . . . I mean . . . naturally, you’d feel concerned about Eve.”

“Naturally.”

“You care about her.”

“Of course I do. That doesn’t mean I can’t feel anything for any— Where the hell are you going?”

“I told you, I’m going to bed.”

“Look at me.”

She didn’t want to look at him. She was feeling the same mindless heat she’d felt that day Madden had come. “I don’t want to talk anymore. Good night.”

“Then don’t talk. Listen.” He was out of his chair and standing before her. “You know what we both want. If you refuse to take it, I’m not going to force you. But don’t throw Eve between us. She has nothing to do with this.”

He wasn’t touching her, but he was so close, she could feel the heat of his body. She felt dizzy, tingling . . . She wanted to step closer. He was so big. What would it feel like to have that body against her own? The next moment she knew.

He inhaled sharply and went rigid. “What are you doing?”