Page 9

Chapter Eight

Knox stood in the dark kitchen wearing only his boxers, grateful they had the B&B to themselves. At least he thought he was. Maybe if there had been other guests it would have been easier to divert the insatiable attraction that rose to a fever pitch every time he looked at Harper.

But he didn’t want that. Not really.

He’d just about swallowed his tongue when she mentioned seduction. Still surprised his knees hadn’t buckled when she’d all but begged him to take her to bed. Harper could have whatever she wanted of him anytime, anywhere. He was hers. Completely.

Completely lost, was more like it.

He wasn’t complaining. This personal development was a good thing. He still wasn’t sure how they managed to douse the fire and get back inside while their hands were roaming all over each other, but they made it.

He’d even locked the doors. Set the security system.

So why was he lingering down here when he could be stretched out next to her supple, warm body?

Guilt. And no small amount of fear.

He had never crossed this line with a client. Then again, no client had ever been Harper Ellington.

For her, his boundaries fell apart. He snorted, imagining his therapist’s reaction to that admission.

But he wasn’t thinking of this situation in a codependent or negative way. He just knew he would do anything for her. Anything to protect her.

Even if that meant walking away once her case was closed. For her own good.

Because he wasn’t afraid of whoever was behind the threats. He had every confidence that his expertise would keep her safe until the Guardian Agency researchers closed the case.

He was afraid of what came after if she stayed with him. If they tried to explore a real relationship. The risk was too great. His parents were always looking for any chink in his armor. They’d press any advantage to get close to Ellington money.

Knox did everything in his power to limit their contact. He didn’t speak with them. Didn’t take their calls. He sure as hell didn’t let them know anything about his financial situation. But if his parents learned that he was dating Harper Ellington, they would be relentless, pushing him to use her or her contacts for their own gain.

Harper would tell him he was full of crap, but he knew better. He knew his parents better.

It made him sick to his stomach as the memories bubbled up unbidden. If it had been as simple as buying them off, he would have done that years ago.

But he didn’t need his therapist to warn him that if he gave his parents a penny, they would take it all and demand more.

He just couldn’t expose Harper to that.

Tomorrow or the day after, he would explain it to her.

Maybe he’d wait until the threat passed. Yeah, that would be easier for both of them.

He’d let her down easy, and make it clear he was a great fling, but not safe for commitment. Not for her.

Though she had traditional values, she was also an adult with plenty of common sense. She would understand and see the logic of his decision. Eventually she’d understand the value of a hot fling. Once this passion burned out, he would find a way to go on, alone, full of wonderful memories of her.

He poured himself a glass of water and gulped it down. It did little to cool his thoughts or his body.

“Found him.”

He whirled around at the sound of Harper’s voice.

“Your phone woke me up,” she said calmly as if they were talking about the weather. She pressed the device into his free hand while her hot gaze skated over his body. She licked her lips and he nearly tossed the phone aside.

“Knox? Hey…”

Jenna. Crap . A call at this hour meant there was a problem. “Jenna?” He put the phone to his ear while Harper walked away, those short sleep shorts tempting him. “What’s going on?”

“Am I on speaker?” she asked.

“No.”

“Good.”

That single syllable doused any amorous thoughts lingering in Knox’s head. “I’m listening.” He double-checked, making sure Harper was heading up the stairs.

“Bruce just called me,” she reported. “There’s a fire at the resort. It looks like it may have started in Harper’s apartment.”

Knox barely contained the outburst building in his chest. If he gave into the temper lashing him, Harper would be down here asking questions he didn’t want to answer. “Who else has been notified?”

“Are you asking if Bruce has reached out directly to Harper?”

“Yes.”

“He has not. I asked him to wait.”

A pulse of relief lifted some of the tension in his shoulders. “Thanks. I owe you one.”

“More than one,” she muttered.

She wasn’t wrong, but he was distracted with the current crisis. There was no way Harper would let this wait until morning. She knew Jenna wouldn’t call at this hour without a good reason.

Unfortunately, he was equally confident he wouldn’t be able to lie to her about it. Somehow, he needed to stay a couple steps ahead of her. “Is there any other intel about the situation?”

“Not so far,” Jenna replied. “I’ve got educated guesses from the fire department and Bruce and that’s about it.”

“Email those to me.”

“Already done.” He heard the hesitation in her voice.

“Don’t hold back now,” he said. “What are you thinking?”

“She’ll want to go over there.”

“Yes,” Knox agreed.

“It’s not my place to step on your toes or tell you how to do your job…”

“Spit it out, Jenna. You’re the analyst. The research expert. It’s okay to give me your opinion on anything pertaining to the case. More than okay,” he added. “It’s essential because you can see this from a different angle.”

“The fire sucks, but I think this is an attempt to draw her out,” Jenna said. “Is there any way you can keep her in the safe house?”

Doubtful, but he’d sure as hell try. “We’re on the same page,” Knox assured her. “You think he’s there watching for her?”

“I’m scanning what I can see of the crowd like my next payday depends on it.”

He laughed, grateful to bleed off a smidge more stress. “Relax, because it doesn’t. You are indispensable whether you recognize anyone out there or not.”

“I’m not so sure.” She swore. “It pisses me off that I don’t have a name for you yet.”

He sympathized with her frustration. After combing through Harper’s recent life, they should know who was capable of this. “You will. One way or another we’ll get there.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” Jenna said. “I’ll let you know as soon as more info comes in.”

“I’ll keep you looped in from here,” Knox said, ending the call.

He braced his arms on the counter and let his head fall forward, stretching his neck. How in the hell could they turn the tables on this guy and pin him down.

Was the profile completely off? Where had they gone wrong?

His mind filled with the image of her falling off that boat and the man diving in after her. The scene had been covered with ways to bring her in safely. The scene was chaotic, but the risk was low. She’d been wearing a life jacket. The rescue craft had been right there.

It was pretty much dumb luck that she’d been tossed his way and he’d gotten to her first.

If he hadn’t?

He made himself think about it. Went to his laptop and pulled up the report with all the video Jenna had collected. He was right. If he hadn’t gotten to her, she would’ve wound up on that big boat with the rest of her party and the crew. Surely, Jenna would find a solid connection soon.

“Knox? What’s going on?” Harper stood in the kitchen doorway watching him intently. “Don’t even try to lie.”

“No.” He closed the laptop. “I already decided that wasn’t an option.”

“Good.” A smile bloomed slowly across her face, all the more intriguing due to the shadows.

He propped his elbows on the table. “When I tell you, you’ll want to go see for yourself.”

She walked over, her bare feet silent on the tile. “And you want me to stay here and wait for your report.”

He shook his head. “I’d rather you stayed here with me while we wait for more facts to come in.”

She was pensive, thinking that over. “But you want to see it for yourself too. Whatever it is.”

“Maybe I do,” he admitted. “Most likely it’s a ploy, another lousy attempt to draw you out of hiding.”

“Like the ransom.” She pulled out a chair and sat down. “Would it be so bad to play along?”

“Absolutely. I’m not putting you at risk.”

“But we need a name. A lead,” she protested. “The ransom failed.”

“We’ll get there,” he promised. “These things take time. Whoever is calling the shots is a sneaky bastard,” he muttered.

“I haven’t held back,” she said, her voice distant. “I don’t know who would do this.”

Convincing herself or him? “I believe you.” He reached across the table stroking her soft hands. “I appreciate your efforts,” he said. “Let it go for now. Why don’t we go back upstairs and try to get some more sleep?”

She tilted her head looking up at him. “Because I’m not tired anymore.” She tilted the phone so she could see the time. “And I have a meeting in three hours.”

He stood up, bringing the phone with him and pulling her out of her chair. “Who are you meeting with at seven?”

“Rhett,” she replied. “He wants me to sit in on an idea meeting with some treasure hunters in Key West. Apparently their only free time is before the day gets started. The cell signal isn’t reliable out on the water.”

“You two are nuts.”

“Maybe.” She shrugged. “They call it dedication in polite circles.” She wound her arms around his neck. “But I’ll let it slide since we’re not exactly in polite company right now.”

“Small favors,” he murmured against her throat.

She arched into him. “You can take me back to bed. And then you can tell me what happened.”

His hands glided up and down her spine. “That’s super tempting. But as soon as you hear it, you’re going to be furious.”

“With you?”

“Never,” he teased. “I’m an angel these days. Completely reformed. I’ll never make you mad.”

Her skeptical snort made him laugh. “So tell me now.”

“It’s going to wreck the mood.” He nibbled a path along her jaw.

She sighed, her hands coasting over his shoulders. “Clearly.” She stilled his hands. “Whatever it is, we’ll talk it through?”

He nodded.

“You won’t get all Neanderthal protective?”

“Is that a term for polite company?”

“Knox.”

He shook his head. “Can’t make that promise. Protecting you is my job.” He nipped her earlobe. “And my pleasure.”

She practically purred. “Then spill it and we’ll sort it out. Together, right?”

“Yes.” That was a promise he could keep.

Right there in the kitchen, mostly undressed and holding her hands, he gave her the news about the fire. About the suite she called home being a possible ignition point.

She slowly pulled away from him, and his heart hurt. For her loss. Obviously. She wasn’t rejecting him , just the awful news. He hoped.

He watched, stunned as she turned on the lights in the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. With halting movements, she pulled out eggs, bread, and milk.

“Are you about to stress-bake French toast?”

She didn’t laugh at his attempt at humor. “No.” Her voice was wooden. “I’m making breakfast sandwiches for the road. We need to get over there.” She pulled sausage patties out of the freezer and set the oven to preheat.

“Harper, it’s smarter to stay here. We’ll just be in the way over there.”

“Go take a shower,” she directed. “I’ll clean up after you’re done.”

So much for his plan of talking her into sharing a shower. “Harper, honey.”

“Don’t.” She held up a hand when he approached. “I need to think.” She paused, her hands carefully holding the egg carton. “We have to go over. Hear me out,” she said when he started to interrupt. “That resort is mine. The staff are my people. The guests are my responsibility. I’m not leaving this to Bruce or the night manager. Audrey shouldn’t have to explain my absence. The resort is where I need to be, especially in a crisis.”

“You’re the leader,” he said, seeing it in her eyes.

“Yes. Whether the situation is about me or something completely different, my job is there and I can’t hide while others clean up the mess.”

How could he argue? “All right. I get it. I do.” He walked over and smoothed a hand over her hair, then kissed the top of her head. “You sure you don’t want help with the food?”

“No, thanks. I’ve got it.”

He studied her. She didn’t look fragile or defeated. It seemed as if she was growing stronger with every challenge. “All right. I’ll be back down in fifteen.” Or less.

She gave a determined nod. “Then you can babysit the baking sandwiches while I shower.”

“It’s a plan.” He glanced around the kitchen. “You’re all locked up tight in here, but if you have a problem just shout and I’ll come running.”

“You’ll hear me in the shower?” She smiled as if indulging his wishful thinking.

“Damn straight I will.”

Reluctantly, he walked away, hating to leave her alone for even a minute. He took the stairs two at a time and rushed through the fastest shower of his life to get dressed and back to her.

He suspected that given a choice, given any hope at all that it wouldn’t hurt her, he would always rush back to her side.