Get a Clue

sexy for it, he could understand she had a good reason to feel that way. He could practically see her heart pounding at her ribs, and her belly rose and fell too quickly. She was afraid of him. That cut deep, as he'd spent most of his life helping people not to be afraid. 'I'm not going to hurt you. I promise.'

'Like I'd take your word,' she said bravely, but then let him tug her out of the foyer and into the great room. The flames were roaring now, lighting the place with a soft glow, showing off the inviting leather couches.

But the woman just stood there stiffly, arms still wrapped around herself, shuddering with her chill. Her long, wavy hair was the same color as her eyes-expensive whiskey. She had a light smattering of freckles across her nose and cheeks, and lips that were soft and full. Made for kissing came the inane thought.

'You're staring,' she said.

And for smart-mouthing. 'You're cold. Come warm up.'

She just shivered again, continuing to hug herself. He knew those clothes had to be damned uncomfortable against her skin, molding her figure, which happened to be a nice one. Not chunky, but not thin, either.

Just right for holding onto. Not that he'd ever been choosy when it came to women. Hell, he hadn't had the opportunity to be choosy, not with his job that had taken up every second of his last few years.

Yet another full-body shudder wracked her and he nearly reached for her. The stupid hero in him.

Ignoring him completely, she moved closer to the flames, leaning in, revealing her backside, and the vibrator glowing from the pocket.

'That butler guy…' She glanced over her shoulder and caught him grinning. 'What?'

'Nothing.' To swipe off the grin, he had to look away from the vibrator peeking out of her pants. 'Go ahead. The butler guy…?'

She narrowed her eyes. 'He said the manager was temporarily unavailable. 'But as soon as he shows up, he'll tell you. This place is mine for the week.'

'Look, I hate to argue with a lady who's already had a pretty fucked-up day-'

'-then don't.'

'-but you're wrong.'

'Not about this.'

He might have said more, but instead frowned as it occurred to him that her teeth were in danger of rattling right out of her head. 'Hey.' He put his hand on her arm, which was even icier now than it had been. Beneath his fingers he felt her tense enough to shatter, and he lifted his other hand as well, holding both her arms. She was shaking so hard she nearly shuddered free, so he tightened his grip slightly, trying to hold her steady. 'You really need to change your clothes.'

She tried to twist away, but newly concerned, he held onto her, sucking in a breath when her hair brushed his own chilled skin.

'Trust me,' she said through her rattling teeth. 'Given what I have in my carry-on, I can't change.'

'You have nothing?'

'Not exactly nothing.' She stopped trying to break away from him and looked at her fancy boots, the kind that were made for muddying up a man's brain, not for real use. Her hair fell forward, again against his chest. Normally he loved a woman's hair teasing him there, but these strands were frozen. He sucked in another breath and waited for her to speak.

'Just… honeymoon stuff,' she said softly.

Everything she'd said finally clicked in. 'Are you really on your honeymoon? Alone?'

'Well, the tickets were paid for, weren't they?'

'What happened to your husband?'

'No husband. He never… we didn't-' Taking a step back, she lifted her head, eyes proud. 'He didn't show up, all right? And there was no use sticking around to face the sympathy and barely masked glee that being dumped at the altar brings.' Another violent shiver followed this statement, along with a very disparaging sigh.

Cooper swore softly, softening in spite of himself, and he pushed her into a large leather recliner. It was entirely possible she'd actually had it rougher than he had lately, and that was saying something. 'No big deal. I have plenty of clothes upstairs. I'll be right back-'

She bounced back up so fast she nearly cracked his chin with her head. 'Really, don't bother yourself. I'm fine.'

'But I have a bag right upstairs.'

'Honestly, I'm good…' She glanced around her. 'No reason for you to have to go upstairs.'

He took in the white around her eyes, the way she gripped him tight, as if maybe he was the lesser of all the evils of her day. 'You're scared.'

She let out a laugh. 'No.'

'Just say it. You don't want me to leave you alone down here.'

'Ridiculous,' she muttered.

'Ridiculous? You're afraid of the dark, remember?'

'Not afraid, exactly. Unhappy with it.'

'And it was only my imagination that a few minutes ago you were looking at me as if I might be a murderer?'

'Or a serial rapist.' Her lips were still blue as her teeth chattered from her chill. 'B-but I've since decided you're probably neither.'

'Gee, thanks.'

'Now you're just the guy standing between me and my honeymoon suite.' More bone-crunching shudders wracked her, appearing to start at her roots and end at her toes. 'My w-warm honeymoon suite.'

Once again he ran his hands up and down her arm, truly alarmed for her now. 'You were up there,' he said, maneuvering her closer to the fire. 'You know it's not any warmer than the rest of the house. At least not yet.'

She didn't answer that but looked horribly dejected at the thought.

'Okay, listen,' he said. 'You can come with me upstairs, or you can wait here. Either way, I'm going to get us both something more to wear.'

She plopped back into the chair and sent her chin to the heavens. 'I'm not budging.'

God, she was stubbornness personified. And frustrating. And somehow, also, inexplicably adorable. 'Suit yourself, but I'm going. I'm getting you a change of clothing and me some socks and a shirt, and then I'm starting a fire up there so I can hit the sack.'

'Not my sack, you're not.'

Had he thought her adorable, even for a second? 'I'll be right back.'

He left her and loped up the dark, dark stairs, feeling his way along the hallway toward the bedroom, thinking the only way he'd want her in his bed was with a gag over that lovely, full, smart-ass mouth.

The image alone began to warm him up.

Chapter 4

I'd tell him to go to hell, but it just so happens I'm stuck there and don't want to have to see him every day.

– Breanne Mooreland's Journal Entry

Breanne watched Cooper walk away and concentrated on breathing through her panic. There was also the fact