by Karen Foley
“Why would I be having second thoughts? You don’t look like an ax murderer, but if you are, I have witnesses who’ve seen you with me.” She indicated with a nod of her head to where Sully was climbing into the cab of the tow truck. Her voice was light. “You’d never get away with it.”
Cole’s dimples flashed as he gave her a wolfish grin. “Rest assured, when it comes to pretty women, hurting them is the last thing I have in mind.”
Lacey felt her pulse quicken. What, exactly, did he have in mind for her? And how would he react if she indicated, by word or gesture, that she might be a willing participant? The sudden images that swamped her imagination were so vivid and so strong that heat flooded her face, making her grateful for the dim light.
Cole’s glance moved beyond Lacey. “If you are having second thoughts, now’s your chance to say so. Once Sully’s gone, it’s just you and me.”
Lacey turned and watched in silence as the tow truck slowly made its way across the parking lot. She saw Sully raise a hand in brief salute, and then the taillights vanished as the vehicle swung out of the parking lot and onto the main road. Drawing a fortifying breath, she turned back to face Cole with a bright smile. “I guess you have your answer.”
He considered her silently for a moment, his expression inscrutable, before stepping back to open the driver’s door of the pickup truck. “I guess I do.”
He extended a hand toward Lacey, and once more she found her fingers wrapped in the warm strength of his own as he helped her up into the cab. Lacey scooted across the bench seat only to be halted midway by the sight of an enormous animal sprawled on the far side. Its tongue lolled wetly from an open mouth bracketed by long, loose jowls as it regarded her drowsily, and a long tail thumped in greeting against the seat. Her mouth fell open in wordless surprise.
“That’s Copper,” said Cole, sliding in behind the wheel. “He has a tendency to slobber, so you might not want to get too close.” He grinned. “I think he has a thing for redheads.”
Lacey recoiled as the dog shook its head, flinging long ropes of saliva against the back of the seat. “Oh, my,” she said, laughing in spite of herself, “you weren’t kidding. He really does slobber!”
“Sorry,” Cole said, sounding anything but apologetic as Lacey drew closer to him in an effort to avoid being splattered. “Once we get going, he’ll hang his head out the window, so you’ll be safe.”
At least from the dog, thought Lacey. With Copper taking up more than his fair share of the seat, it was nearly impossible to maintain a respectable distance from Cole. She could feel the heat that radiated from his lean body, even as he reached over and flipped on the air-conditioning and a blast of lukewarm air billowed her skirt up over her thighs. Lacey pushed it back down and placed her purse over her knees in an effort to keep the fabric firmly where it belonged.
“Here,” said Cole, “let me adjust those vents.”
He extended one arm across her knees and flipped the louvers upward. His shoulder pressed against hers and his arm brushed against her breast as he pulled back. It was purely accidental, but Lacey was helpless to prevent a swift intake of breath at the intimate contact. If Cole noticed her reaction, he gave no sign, but Lacey thought he reversed with slightly more force than necessary, the tires churning up loose gravel before he changed gears and headed out of the parking lot.
As Cole had predicted, Copper heaved himself to his feet and happily thrust his head out of the open window, his long ears streaming behind him. His hindquarters were dangerously close to Lacey’s face, and when his tail started to knock steadily against her chest, she gave a soft exclamation of surprise and gingerly swatted at the offending length.
Cole laughed, the sound sliding over Lacey’s senses like warm honey. “That dog,” he said ruefully, “has no sense of personal space.”
Neither, apparently, did Cole as he leaned suddenly across Lacey’s body and with one hand pushed gently but firmly on the dog’s rear, forcing it into a sitting position. “There,” he said, and his glance slid over Lacey as she pressed herself against the seat. “You okay?”
Lacey met his gaze. Even in the darkened cab, there was no mistaking the expression of taut awareness on his face. In that instant, Lacey knew he wanted her.
The knowledge thrilled her.
Terrified her.
Caused her heart to slam against her rib cage so that she was sure he would hear its betraying rhythm. “I’m fine,” she finally managed, hating the way her voice sounded breathless, even to her own ears.
“Where are you staying?” he asked. “Mozelle or Cumberland?”
Lacey looked at him blankly. “Are those hotels? Because I checked and—”
Cole laughed softly again. “No, ma’am, those are towns. The closest ones with decent hotels, at any rate. Unless you’re staying with friends here in the Gap?”
Lacey peered at him suspiciously. “Just how close are those two towns?”
Cole shrugged. “Well, they’re in opposite directions from here, but I’d guess they’re both about an hour away.”
Lacey gaped at him. “You’d be willing to drive me all that way?”
He turned to her then, surprise evident on his face. “Yeah. Why wouldn’t I?”
Lacey stared at him for a long moment before dragging her gaze away. Of course he was willing to drive her that far. He probably thought he’d be well rewarded for his efforts. After all, she’d done nothing but ogle him since she’d first laid eyes on him. For a moment, Lacey battled with herself, torn between doubt and anticipation, because a part of her wanted him to want her. But she didn’t want him to think she was an easy conquest.
His lips tightened before he returned his attention to the road. “I see. You think I’ll want some sort of payment in return for the lift.”
“No—” Lacey began, ready to deny what she had, in fact, been thinking.
But Cole held up one hand, forestalling any further words. “It’s okay,” he said. “Because you know what?” He slanted her one long, meaningful look. “You’re right. I’d be lying if I said the thought hadn’t crossed my mind.” He gave a low, self-deprecating laugh. “Hell, it’s been the single thing on my mind since I first saw you.”
Lacey’s breath hitched. His husky confession caused a liquid heat to slip along the underside of her skin, and her pulse began a heavy, languorous thudding. She focused on the dark road, watching as the truck swallowed up the pavement, unable to think of an appropriate response.
“However,” he continued easily, “I don’t need to use coercion or guilt to get a woman to sleep with me. It’s either completely mutual, or it doesn’t happen. So you can relax, okay?”
Relax? Was he kidding? Lacey thought she might spontaneously combust. Of course he didn’t need to use coercion—he was the kind of guy women fantasized about. Not only gorgeous, but considerate, too. In that moment, she made up her mind. Her friend Julia was right; she’d denied herself for way too long, always putting the needs of others before her own, always conscious of what her mother might think. But out here, there was just her and this man. She was only going to be in Black Stone Gap for ten days. Why shouldn’t she do as she pleased? Lord knew when she’d have another opportunity.
She glanced over at Cole. “I’m actually staying here in Black Stone Gap,” she ventured, “so you won’t need to drive me too far.” To collect your reward.
He tilted her a questioning look. “Oh, yeah? Where?”
“The Blackwater Inn.”
“What?” He bit the word out, his face incredulous.
“There were no other hotels,” she said defensively. “The Blackwater Inn is a little grungy, but otherwise it’s fine.”
He gave a snort of disgust. “Yeah, if you’re an itinerant coal miner or a horny barfly.”
Lacey looked at him in dismay, recalling the men she’d seen at the motel earlier that night. “I did try to make other arrangements, but there wasn’t anything else even close.”
C
ole ran a hand over his hair. “Hell,” he muttered. “If anyone sees you, every guy who’s staying there’ll be panting at your door. I’ll walk you to your room. Once you’re inside with the door locked, you should be okay.” He shook his head again. “The Blackwater Inn?”
When they pulled into the motel several minutes later, Lacey saw that the bar across the street was doing a brisk business. The parking lot was completely full and the overflow had spilled into the motel’s lot. As Cole parked the truck, the door of the bar opened and a man and woman lurched outside, briefly illuminated by the shaft of light from inside the establishment.
Hanging on to each other, they made their way across the darkened street. As they approached the Blackwater Inn, they stopped to exchange a deep kiss. They swayed, stumbled, and then laughingly broke apart to stagger over to one of the guestroom doors. Lacey watched as the woman fitted a key into the lock. The man was groping her from behind. He bent his head and nuzzled her neck even as one hand snaked around to fondle a breast. The woman laughed again and they all but fell through the open door. Lacey caught a glimpse of the two coming together for a passionate embrace before the man kicked the door closed with one booted foot.
Lacey found she couldn’t look over at Cole. The raw sexuality she had just witnessed too closely mirrored the fantasy she had briefly entertained about him.
“C’mon,” he muttered. “Let’s get you to your room.”
Opening his door, he slid out and stood back to wait for her. Copper drew his head in from the passenger window and flopped down on the seat once more, staring at them with an expression that stated clearly he was accustomed to being left in the truck. Cole retrieved her gear from his lockbox and indicated she should precede him.
“I’m in the back,” she said, aware of his eyes on her as she led him around to the rear of the building. A group of men had pulled several of the plastic patio chairs around a small table on the walkway and were playing cards. Beer cans littered the grass and cigarette smoke hung heavy on the humid air. They paused when they saw Lacey, and the nearest one leered appreciatively at her from over the rim of a beer can.
“Evenin’ boys.”
Cole’s voice was cordial but cool as he hefted Lacey’s presentation case over one shoulder and took her elbow with his free hand, propelling her along. Lacey cast a wary look at the men, noting the sullen, almost defiant manner in which they watched her. Despite Cole’s casual attitude, she sensed he was on full alert, every muscle in his lean body tightly coiled. He was staring at the men, his eyes challenging them to say something, anything. Two of the men mumbled a greeting and one by one they lowered their eyes beneath Cole’s unwavering glare.
“I’m in here,” Lacey said when they reached her door. Would he expect her to invite him in? Or would he simply say goodbye? She glanced up at him. He was so close that one small step back would bring her smack up against that tautly muscled chest. He was crowding her, his larger physique shielding her from the nearby men.
“Get your key out and open the door.” His voice was low in her ear, brooking no argument.
Turning the knob, she pushed the door open, startled when he hustled her inside and closed it behind them. In the sudden and complete darkness of the room, her chest constricted and she couldn’t control her suddenly rapid pulse or the perspiration that popped out along her hairline. She closed her eyes and dragged in several deep breaths, telling herself there was nothing to be afraid of. She heard Cole set her cases down on the floor. When he flipped on the overhead light, she blinked and exhaled in relief, and then sank down on the edge of the bed. Cole opened the door an inch or so and examined the broken deadbolt, testing it. Then he fingered the dangling chain.
“This lock is broken.” He slanted her a questioning look. “Did you realize that?”
Lacey swallowed, momentarily unable to form a response. She thought she’d gotten a good look at him in the truck. She’d thought him gorgeous then, but by the glaring light of the overhead fixture she realized she had been wrong. The man wasn’t just gorgeous.
He was magnificent.
His face was a masterpiece of lean, chiseled features paired with a sensuous mouth. For an instant, Lacey imagined feasting on those lips with her own. His blue eyes were fringed with thick, dark lashes and his short hair was a deep, rich brown. His skin was bronzed by the sun and his arms were an incredible mix of bulging muscles and lean sinews. Her hands would probably be incapable of spanning those impressive biceps. When he wasn’t smiling, like now, he had a decidedly dangerous aura. In the confines of the room, he seemed inordinately large. Lacey should have been nervous, but she wasn’t. She’d been an apt self-defense pupil, and if things began to turn sour, she was more than capable of defending herself.
“Yes.” She nodded. “I notified the front desk, but apparently there aren’t any other rooms available.”
Cole closed the door with a click and took several steps into the room. His gaze swept over the gaudy bedspread and stained carpeting, missing nothing. “It’s hot as hell in here.”
He was right. Fine beads of moisture had gathered on Lacey’s skin and her sundress clung damply to her. In the confined room, the heat was suffocating. “It’s just for one night. I’ll find something else in the morning.”
Cole looked doubtfully at her as he fiddled with the thermostat. “I doubt you’ll survive a night in this furnace.” He flicked the wall thermometer in disgust. “Looks like the air-conditioning is on the blink.” He moved to the window and Lacey watched with renewed interest when the muscles in his arms and shoulders bunched with effort as he tried unsuccessfully to raise the sash. After a moment, he stepped back. “Unbelievable. I think they’ve permanently nailed it shut.”
He turned to look down at her, his expression inscrutable. Lacey smoothed her skirt down over her knees and tried not to think about the fact that she was alone in a motel room with an absolutely mouthwatering man. Any fantasy she might have harbored about him had been completely dashed the moment he stepped through the door. He was obviously disgusted by the seediness of the room, and the temperature alone was enough to wilt any blossoming desire. She steeled herself for his departure, unwilling to examine why she felt so depressed at the prospect of his leaving.
She’d been ready to take the plunge with this guy, to step out of her comfort zone and do something thrilling and naughty. The realization that she’d be spending the night alone in this tawdry motel room was a complete letdown. But she could at least accept the inevitable with good grace. There was no way she would let him see her disappointment.
“Well.” She pushed to her feet and stood by the door, her hand on the latch. Outside, she could hear raised voices as an argument broke out among the men playing cards. She forced a brisk, businesslike tone to her voice, but found she couldn’t meet his eyes. “Thank you so much for your help. I really appreciate everything you’ve done for me.”
There was silence, and when Lacey finally looked up, it was to find Cole standing with his hands braced on his hips, watching her with a bemused expression. He dominated the small room. Lacey’s eyes traveled slowly up the length of his body, noting how the black T-shirt emphasized the taut flatness of his stomach and the muscled planes of his chest. There was a light sheen of sweat on the strong column of his throat and she imagined tracing her tongue along that slick skin.
“You don’t actually think I’m going to leave you here, do you?” he asked.
Now it was her turn to look bemused, even as her pulse quickened. “What do you mean?”
Her eyes widened when he turned and scooped her discarded pantsuit from the back of a chair where she had tossed it. He folded it neatly in half, dropped it into her open suitcase and flipped the case shut.
“There’s really only one thing to do.” His mouth curved in a rueful grin. “I’m taking you home with me.”
3
LACEY WAS CERTAIN he had to be kidding, but there was nothing humorous in his manner as he zipped her
case shut, hefted it neatly in one hand, and stepped toward the door.
“Wait a minute.” Lacey threw up a hand to forestall him. “You can’t be serious.”
“Yeah, you’re probably right.” Cole’s voice was low. “You’re definitely better off staying here. I’m sure those men out there will be more than happy to take care of you tonight.” He stabbed a finger toward the commotion outside. “From the sound of things, they’re well on their way to getting completely messed up. If I leave you here, how long do you think it’ll take for them to decide you’re fair game? Hmm? Do you really think you’re safe in this room?”
Lacey was silent. He had verbalized what she had been thinking. But to go home with Cole? Did she dare? Because she’d be lying to herself if she believed nothing would happen between them. Even now, the tension in the room was almost palpable.
“Look,” he said, interrupting her thoughts. “I know what you’re thinking.” Reaching into his back pocket, he produced a slim wallet, flipped it open and extended it toward her. “Here’s my I.D. If you want to take a look and then call somebody to let them know who you’re with, go ahead.”
Glancing at him, Lacey took the proffered wallet and looked down at the I.D. beneath the plastic protector. It was a Virginia driver’s license with a Norfolk address. The photograph had captured the incredible blueness of his eyes. She tried not to stare.
“You’re not even from around here,” she said, handing him the wallet. “Were you planning on driving back to Norfolk? That’s what—five hundred miles from here?”
Cole pocketed the wallet, frustration evident in his expression. “I grew up here in the Gap, but I moved to Norfolk after I got out of school. My family has a place not too far from here, and everyone in town knows who I am. You’re safer with me than you are here.”
Lacey didn’t know about that. Her intentions where Cole was concerned could be classified as anything but safe.
