by Jenn Roseton
“Nope.” Cole straightened up. “We’re safe, Phoebe. At least for now.”
Relief flickered across her face. “Good,” she murmured. If Cole hadn’t been here with her … She’d been almost a nervous wreck after the conversation she’d overheard in the parking lot with the suspected Victor. What would she be like if she’d been on her own?
Plopping down on the bed, she suddenly felt very tired. “I’ll think I’ll try to get some sleep.” She pulled back the covers, conscious of still wearing Cole’s sister-in-law’s outfit. At least she’d had the foresight to wash out her blouse and second pair of panties while they waited for the pizza to arrive, and could wear them tomorrow.
“Good idea.” Cole headed to the other bed.
She watched him climb in. It felt weird lying in bed and still being dressed. She’d be much more comfortable without her bra and capris, but if she went to the bathroom to take them off, what would Cole think? That she was trying to tempt him? Although their kiss had been incredible - for her, anyway - she wasn’t ready to let him see her plump - too plump - thighs. And if she did take off the capris, that would be exactly what he saw. Although her borrowed t-shirt was a decent length, it barely covered the lace-trimmed bottom of her panties.
Anyway, Cole had told her he thought of her as just a client. The memory of his words stung, but maybe that was the reminder she needed to stop hoping he was attracted to her. One little kiss didn’t mean anything.
***
Cole thumped his pillow, trying to get comfortable. The memory of that kiss made his groin tighten. Stop thinking about it, he commanded himself, but his brain - and body - didn’t listen. Right now, the only thing that would make him feel better would be a cold shower - or kissing Phoebe again. And again.
He almost groaned as he remembered how sweet her lips had tasted. He could have kissed her all night long, and then made sweet, slow love with her. But it had been wrong to kiss her at all, even if her lips had been so temptingly close to his.
He looked over at the other bed, able to make out her lush form in the darkness. If he got up to have a cold shower, he might wake her. And he definitely didn’t want to do that. She’d been genuinely freaked out by the possibility of Blackwood looking for her. And if he woke her, and she looked at him with sleep-mussed hair and her big blue eyes blinking at him in the glare of the light, he didn’t know if his control would last. It had taken a will of iron to lift his lips from hers and step away.
Which was why he had gone to bed wearing his clothes, just like last night. He had to keep this relationship professional, at least until everything was resolved. Then …
He finally fell asleep, dreaming of a naked Phoebe in his arms.
***
Phoebe jerked awake, her heart pounding. Frantically looking around the room in the darkness, she turned on her bedside lamp. She’d had the most horrible dream about--
“Phoebe, are you okay?”
She’d barely turned on the light when Cole was by her side. “I dreamed Victor was here … in our room.” She shivered at the disturbing remnants of her dreams.
“There’s nobody here, sweetheart.” He gathered her in his arms, flicking a glance to the door. “See? The door’s locked.”
She nodded, her hands clutching Cole’s muscular back through the soft cotton fabric of his t-shirt. “I’m sorry I woke you--”
“Don’t be.” He stroked her hair, the gentle touch at odds with his sleep-roughened voice.
She closed her eyes, unable to stop herself leaning into the caress. A sudden thought occurred to her and she hesitated to voice it, not wanting anything to disturb their closeness. But the thought nagged at her.
“What about the window?” she whispered, unable to remember if they’d opened it earlier that evening.
He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I’ll go and check.”
She felt bereft the instant he left her side, even though she’d wanted him to put her fears to rest.
Cole pulled back the curtain and checked the window looking out onto the parking lot. “It’s locked.” He checked the mechanism. “No one’s going to be able to open that window except us.” Crossing over to the door, he checked the bolt. “The door’s definitely locked as well.”
“I’m sorry,” she repeated, feeling a little silly. But the lingering memory of the dream still spooked her.
“It’s perfectly understandable,” he reassured her. Walking back to his bed, he glanced at the glowing red numbers of the digital alarm clock. “It’s only midnight. We can get six more hours of sleep.”
She nodded. “Okay.” Hesitating for a second, she snuggled back under the covers. “Good night.” Her finger trembled on the bedside lamp. She couldn’t quite make herself turn off the comforting yellow light.
“Hell,” he muttered so softly she wasn’t quite sure he’d said anything. Striding over to the vacant side of her bed, he pushed back the covers and settled himself next to her. “Is this better?”
“Yes,” she whispered, his growly bear voice comforting, but she wasn’t sure she could look at him. It had been embarrassing to be so scared after her nightmare, but even more so with her inability to turn off the lamp.
“Turn off the light, sweetheart. I’m right here next to you.”
With Cole by her side, she thought she could do anything, including turning off the security of the bedside lamp. She pressed the button firmly, fully expecting Cole to leave her bed once the room was enveloped in darkness. But instead, he carefully pulled her to him, holding her in his arms. Her head nestled against his strong shoulder and her arms automatically wrapped themselves around his muscular torso. She was safe and secure, and somehow she knew she always would be with this man.
***
Prisms of sunlight peeping around the edges of the curtain woke her. She stirred sleepily, nuzzling her head against the pillow. A hard pillow. Frowning, she squinted her eyes open. A tanned arm wrapped around her waist, while her hand lay across Cole’s chest. And her suddenly not very comfortable pillow was his t-shirt clad shoulder. She jerked back, hoping her abrupt movement hadn’t woken him.
What had she been thinking? Had she really spent the night in his arms? Heat hit her cheeks as she remembered how safe and cozy she’d felt with him, just before she’d fallen asleep.
She bit her lip, looking down at her clothes. Still dressed. Good. Not that she thought Cole would ever take advantage of her that way. More’s the pity, a naughty little voice chimed. Phoebe sighed. After Cole apologized for that kiss yesterday, she didn’t think she’d ever have to worry about him wanting to take advantage of her. Instead, it now looked like she’d taken advantage of him last evening, cuddling in his arms all night long.
The alarm buzzed, the sudden noise making her jump back against the actual pillows.
Cole groaned, the arm that had been wrapped around her waist reaching for her, until he encountered thin air. He pushed himself up, a rumpled smile on his lips.
“Morning.” He ran a hand through his sleep-ruffled hair.
“Morning.” Phoebe smiled tentatively at him. It wasn’t fair he looked so good first thing in the morning. She bet she looked a fright with bed hair and her borrowed, crinkled clothes.
“We better get on our way.” His eyes tracked the glowing digital display of the alarm clock. “Ladies first.” He gestured to the bathroom.
Grabbing her purse, she trudged to the bathroom. If she hadn’t woken up in his arms, she wouldn’t have been able to tell by his tone and body language that their snuggling all night had ever happened. You’re just a client, she told herself for what seemed like the millionth time.
Taking a quick shower, she combed her hair and fixed her appearance as best she could, after donning her blouse and skirt. Cole was right. The sooner they were on their way the better.
“Your turn,” she murmured when she came out of the bathroom, suddenly feeling shy. Last night with Cole … although nothing sexual had happened when she’d w
oken with her nightmare, she’d never felt so content with any other man before. Not that she’d had that much experience, she thought ruefully, as she sipped a glass of water.
After a few moments, Cole came out of the bathroom, freshly shaved and looking like he hadn’t been woken up in the middle of the night - or slept with her in his arms for the next six hours.
“Ready?” He grabbed his duffel bag.
“Yes.” Phoebe picked up her purse and followed him out the door.
“We’ll grab something to eat on the way,” he tossed over his shoulder as they made their way to the car.
She looked around the quiet parking lot, unable to stop herself wondering if Victor and Kurt would suddenly emerge from the shadows. But the only sound disturbing the early morning quiet was the occasional hum of a car driving past on the highway, and Cole starting the engine of the black SUV.
The rest of the motel residents were presumably still in bed. Lucky them. Although she had no trouble waking up in time for work each morning, she was used to getting up at the more reasonable time of seven-thirty. Relief trickling through her at the sight of the empty parking lot, she stifled a yawn and clambered into the SUV, the procedure a little more difficult when wearing a skirt.
Cole pulled out of the parking lot. Deciding to rest her bleary eyes for a while, Phoebe settled back into the luxurious leather seat before dreaming about the six hours she’d spent in Cole’s arms.
“Breakfast,” he murmured in her ear.
Jolting awake, she took a moment to orientate herself. Cole’s face was close to hers and the SUV idled in the parking lot of a fast food restaurant. She felt her cheeks heating as the memory of last night flashed through her mind.
“Sorry I fell asleep.” Her throat suddenly dry, she took a sip from her water bottle in the console, glad it gave her hands and lips something to do. Besides being tempted to kiss Cole again. It’s strictly business, remember?
As she ate the last bite of her hash brown, she resolved to only eat rabbit food for a week once she got home. No chocolate, fries or burgers. Just simple, healthy salads without any dressing. She wasn’t sure if it was her imagination, but this morning the waistband on her skirt seemed a little tighter. Since she already had a curvy figure, she couldn’t afford to put on any more weight. Her thighs were quite plump enough. So was her belly. Maybe it was for the best that Cole wasn’t interested in her. What would he think if he ever saw her naked?
Phoebe’s stomach started to flutter as they drew closer to their destination. Cole followed the GPS directions and before long they pulled up outside an elegant shop in downtown Pierre.
Phoebe double-checked the address. “That’s it!”
Cole looked at his watch. “Eleven-thirty. It should be open.”
Unfastening her seat belt, Phoebe clutched her purse to her as she exited the vehicle. Cole walked by her side as they made their way to the front door of the store, a tinkling bell announcing their arrival.
A plump man in his sixties emerged from the back room. “How may I help you? I’m Frank Newton.”
“Henry Dawson recommended you,” Cole said easily. “Phoebe has a coin she’d like to get valued.”
“Of course,” the numismatist replied.
Taking a deep breath, Phoebe pulled out the tissue-swathed coin and carefully unwrapped it.
“Oh my,” Mr. Newton breathed, reaching for gloves and a magnifying glass. “Oh, yes.” He studied the coin closely, turning it over. “Quite remarkable.” He looked at them shrewdly. “Is this yours?”
“It’s a client’s,” Phoebe replied, hoping her cheeks didn’t redden. It wasn’t really a lie. She did consider Mrs. Miller to be her client, even though she wouldn’t have a job to return home to. But she’d vowed to herself to do the best she could for the little old lady, even if it meant risking possible arrest.
“Definitely Emperor Proculus, 280AD.” The expert turned the coin over again, then placed it carefully on the counter with a wistful sigh. “Quite valuable.”
She exhaled with relief. Mr. Dawson had confirmed her instincts about the coin, but having her hunch verified by a reputable numismatist made the whole journey worthwhile. As well as meeting Cole.
“Could you give me a written evaluation, please?” she asked.
“Of course.” Mr. Newton smiled. “This is a very rare coin. I think it would easily sell for fifty thousand dollars at least.”
She couldn’t help beaming as the coin expert echoed Mr. Dawson’s estimate. Surely that amount of money would help Mrs. Miller buy whatever she needed. “That’s wonderful.”
“It’ll take me a few minutes to write out the evaluation.”
She nodded. “Of course.”
“Feel free to look around while you wait.” Mr. Newton started tapping away at a computer behind the desk.
“I’ll stay here,” Cole murmured to her. “You look around if you want.”
Her pulse jumped at his nearness. “Thanks.” Although she was more interested in antiques than coins, it would be interesting to browse the numismatist’s store. And she knew Cole would never take his eyes off the coin until it was tucked safely away in her purse again.
Ten minutes later, Mr. Newton handed her the evaluation, watching as she rewrapped the coin and hid it in her handbag.
“Be very careful with that precious coin,” he advised. “And be very prudent whom you trust.” He glanced at Cole.
Phoebe followed his gaze and furrowed her brow. Surely the expert wasn’t implying that Cole … Of course not, she chided herself. Although she might have wondered in the beginning if she could fully trust Cole, he’d proven himself to her. He definitely was not another Scott, her antique stealing ex-boyfriend.
“I will,” she replied.
Her sexy P.I. shepherded her out of the store and back into the SUV. “You were right.” He grinned at her. “Fifty thousand is a lot of motivation to rip off an old lady.”
Phoebe wanted to do a little tap dance. She didn’t know how she’d been able to restrain herself in the store. She’d been right! “Now all I have to do is give the coin back to Mrs. Miller.” She couldn’t stop smiling.
Cole dug out his phone. “Why don’t we call her right now and let her know about the valuation? I bet she’ll be pleased to know how much her coin is really worth.”
“You can find her phone number?”
He winked at her. “Sweetheart, with this database I can find just about anyone in a few minutes.”
She watched his long, strong fingers punching the keys. What would it be like to be a private investigator? In a way, the antiques business had something in common with investigating. Antiques held the key to the past, but sometimes it was quite a puzzle to prove provenance of an item. She guessed a P.I. like Cole solved some puzzles in his line of work as well.
Cole handed the phone to her. “It’s ringing.”
Phoebe gulped. She was excited to tell the little old lady the good news, but would Mrs. Miller understand why she’d taken the coin?
A few minutes later, she ended the call and handed the phone back to Cole, a smile on her face. Mrs. Miller had been thrilled to hear how much the coin was worth, and had reassured Phoebe that she hadn’t for one moment thought she was a thief. Phoebe promised to return the coin to her as soon as she arrived in Cheyenne.
“Mrs. Miller’s looking forward to getting her coin back.” The phone call had proved to be easier to make than she’d thought.
The corners of his mouth tipped up into a grin. “Then we better head back to Wyoming.”
She nodded. “You’re right.” According to the GPS, it would take them around six hours to drive back to Cheyenne. And once she returned the coin to Mrs. Miller, she doubted she’d ever see Cole again. Just her luck to be falling in love with a man she couldn’t have.
CHAPTER 6
Phoebe admired the scenery as they drove along the highway in South Dakota. The highway was twisty and steep in places, but the views were gorg
eous - green-yellow pasture and distant hills.
Although she enjoyed driving around Cheyenne, she was glad Cole was driving right now. Some of the turns were scary.
“Not much longer,” he said reassuringly as he expertly navigated another sweeping curve.
She smiled at him. How had he known what she was thinking, apart from the way she clutched her purse at particularly steep inclines or nervously sipped from her water bottle? He seemed to be well-versed in reading body language. Just as well he doesn’t know you’ve got the hots for him.
Phoebe settled back in her seat, determined to relax. A moment later, a red car came toward them, screeching up the steep hill.
The car veered toward their lane, then corrected itself.
“Jerk,” Cole muttered, his eyes on the road and his hands gripping the steering wheel.
She bit her lip, trusting Cole’s driving, but wishing the red car had already passed them.
As they neared the other vehicle, it suddenly swerved into their lane again.
“Hold on!” Cole wrenched the wheel.
The next few seconds happened in a blur. When Phoebe opened her eyes, she stared down the side of a cliff. Her gaze dropped to her torso. All her limbs seemed intact and apart from feeling shaken and jolted, she thought she was okay.
“Cole!” Her voice sounded rusty. “Cole!”
“I’m okay, sweetheart.” Never had his voice sounded so reassuring, so comforting. “But I don’t know about the SUV.”
“What … what about the other car?” she asked, hoping they’d avoided colliding with the idiot driver.
“It’s fine,” he replied, a hint of disgust in his voice. “Or at least we didn’t hit it. We ended up here instead.”
“Here” was the side of the road, at the edge of a cliff. She stared out of the windscreen, her stomach clenching. They were a long way up. If Cole hadn’t braked in time … She shuddered.
