Get a Clue

'Yes.'

'How about Dante?'

Shelly's smile congealed. 'Him, too.'

'And Patrick and Lariana?'

'Are you trying to get our alibis?'

Well, yes, but now she felt like a jerk for doing so. 'I'm just trying to make sure I'm not scared out of my mind again tonight. If I know where you are, I just might be joining you in a slumber party.'

Shelly laughed. 'Dante slept on the floor next to me because I was scared and he's a sweetie.'

'You mean before you got him in the closet today and showed him your feminine wiles.'

'Hey, no wiles were shown.' She moved to the door. 'Sleep tight.'

'Is Dante going to be on your floor again?'

Shelly turned back at the door. 'Next to me would be better, but we're waiting until we get out of here.'

'Good luck with that, because there's just something about this house that revs a person's energy.'

'Maybe it's the altitude?'

'I meant sexual energy.'

'Oh.' Shelly grinned. 'Right. I knew that. You're not the first guest to notice.'

'It's not difficult when the staff goes around screwing each other at will.'

'Hey.'

'I meant Lariana.'

'I knew that, too.'

'Just be careful.'

'I should say the same to you. You're the one that ended up sleeping with the cop.'

'Cooper. His name is Cooper.'

'I know.'

Oddly enough, Breanne felt a slight censure in her voice, which made no sense. Shelly didn't seem the type of woman to judge another soul on anything.

And yet Shelly didn't like Cooper, hadn't ever since she'd found out he was a cop.

The others were the same. Not only odd, but unsettling, and when Breanne was alone, she locked the door, then scooted her chair closer to the fire. Hugging her legs in close, she set her chin to her knees, staring at the flickering flames.

Did she like him? Even after what he'd said to her? Yeah, she did, because she knew she'd overreacted, just as she knew she'd done so as a self-protective gesture.

She was still pondering the why of it when a knock came at her door.

Leaping up, she whirled around and stared at it. 'Hello?'

'Hey.'

Just that, just Hey, but the unbearably familiar voice entered her system and jolted her out of her reverie and right into a high state of anticipation she didn't welcome.

Chapter 19

When everything's coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.

– Breanne Mooreland's Journal Entry

Breanne stared at the door, her pulse drumming away madly, along with her resistance.

Cooper knocked again, just one light rap.

She could feel him on the other side of the door, his heat, his strength, and her body reacted as if it already belonged to him. Well, damn it, she didn't belong to anyone, especially a man.

'Let me in, Bree.'

That'd be like opening the door to the big, bad wolf and inviting him in to blow her life down. As said life had been built fragile brick by fragile brick, she didn't dare.

'Please,' he said.

Ah, hell. The magic word. Even knowing it was the mother of all bad decisions, she opened the door.

'About earlier,' he said.

Turning her back to him, she moved to the fire and plopped down into the recliner, nonchalantly lifting her hands to the flames. 'You mean when you asked if I was putting my hands in your pants because I wanted… how did you put it… to get an in with the law?'

'Yeah, that.' He came close and hunkered down beside her chair. 'You cannot think I was serious.'

She studied the fire and didn't respond. She knew now he hadn't meant it, but just his voice alone was making her want to melt.

'Look at me, Breanne.'

No. Looking at him would be like looking directly into the sun. Amazing but stupid.

But then his hands settled on the arms of the leather recliner and he whipped it around to face him. His face was grim, intense, and… still angry.

'I didn't mean it,' he said. 'You know I didn't. Now I want to hear you say it, damn it.'

'Fine. I know you didn't meant it. End of conversation, please.'

'Just like that?'

'Just like that.'

He looked at her for a long moment, then let out a breath. 'I'm a cop, Bree. Through and through, as it turns out. I thought quitting would change that, but apparently no.'

Damn it, she knew that, but hearing him say it, knowing he felt as if he had to say it, got to her.

'I've seen and heard it all,' he said. 'And it's changed me, maybe even hardened me. I can't help that. But when I'm with you, I feel a little… clumsy.' His eyes were dark and genuine. 'I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. But you hurt mine.'

'I'm sorry.' She could admit it now. 'I'm so sorry. 'It's all me, I'm just… going crazy. Edward-'

'Was dead when we got here. Or so I think, anyway.' His hands were fisted on either side of her, the sleeves of his shirt rolled up past his elbows, his forearms corded with strength as he leaned over her. 'You sleeping in here tonight?'

Sleeping? Probably not. More like watching the shadows on the wall all night long. But she lifted a shoulder. 'The bed's comfortable enough.'

'I figured you wouldn't want to be alone.'

'I'm a big girl, Cooper.'

'Yeah, you are.' He lifted her chin. 'And you're running scared.'

She jerked her chin free. 'If I was running scared, would I be sleeping alone?'

'You're running scared of me.'

She let out what was supposed to be a disbelieving sound, but it convinced neither of them.

'You expect me to believe you'd rather face another midnight intruder than sleep next to me?' His voice was heavy with disbelief. 'I don't think so.'

She shook her head. 'How did you ever fit through the door with that big head of yours? Look, I'm going to be