Hank raised his hand and touched the wound on her cheek. Bile rose in her throat. She swallowed heavily and forced herself to remain still.
"I'd hate that pretty face of yours to get all messed up."
"So would I," Jon said behind her.
Ten
Jon stopped behind her, so close that his body brushed against hers. His scent spun around her, an odd mix of sea spray and old wood. Warmth that was all too comforting tingled across her senses. Maddie clenched her fists, as frightened by her response to his nearness as she was of Hank. But she didn't move. Even if she had wanted to, the two men had her penned, like a lamb caught between two wolves.
Hank smiled and lowered his hand. "Miss Smith was just telling me she's planning to leave."
"Then you'd better go get her bill ready, hadn't you?" Though there was no hint of menace in Jon's soft voice, a flicker of fear ran across Hank's thin features.
His dead gaze ran past them. For an instant, it almost looked as if he was consulting someone. Then he nodded and quickly scuttled away. Jon touched her arms and turned her around.
"You okay?"
His eyes were full of concern, and it was almost her undoing. For a minute it looked like he cared. She lowered her gaze and stepped away.
"I was doing just fine, thanks." Her voice sounded tart again, but she couldn't help it. She wanted this man to hold her, and that simply wasn't an option.
"Here, take this," he said, and held out her coat. "It's warmer than my sweater."
"Thanks." His gesture surprised her. Had he gone back into the inn just to get it? Why? As he'd pointed out, he had a meeting to get to. She slipped off his sweater, handing it to him before putting on her coat.
He slung the sweater over his shoulder. Maybe he liked the rain. Or maybe he just didn't plan to stay in his wet clothes all that long. She bit her lip and looked down at her feet.
"Have you decided to leave after all?" he said.
"Just the inn. I don't think it's safe anymore."
"You may be right." He glanced thoughtfully at the inn then back at her. The warmth had fled his eyes again, leaving them carefully neutral. "I really do have to go."
"Then go. Have your fun with Eleanor. I can look after myself." His eyes darkened with annoyance. Maddie grimaced. She wasn't being fair. He was doing his best to find Evan, and being catty about it certainly wouldn't help anyone. If he was treating Eleanor as nothing more than a lead, why couldn't she?
Because I saw the way she clung to him, and it annoyed the hell out of me. She swallowed and looked away. "I saw a hotel on the other side of the bridge. Sea View, I think it was called. I'll grab a taxi to my car, then drive out and book us a room."
"All right, then." He hesitated, then reached up and touched her cheek with his fingertips. His caress was gentle and made something deep within her tremble in response. "Wash your wounds, then rest. I'll be there as soon as I can." He walked away again. She watched him until he'd disappeared from sight, then sighed and headed into the inn. The firemen were still in the building, but they allowed her to collect her bag. She was glad of their presence, especially when she came out of the bedroom and found Hank waiting for her.
"So, you really are going?"
She studied him uneasily. "I said I was. How much do I owe you?"
"Considering what has happened, we'll make your stay complimentary."
"Thank you."
The nearest fireman headed for the door. She shouldered her bag and quickly followed him.
"I do hope we see you sometime again," Hank continued.
"Not likely," she muttered, giving him as wide a berth as possible. His chuckle crawled over her skin. She shivered and involuntarily glanced back at him. Don 't come back, his gaze warned her. Ij you do, you 'II die. She swallowed heavily, trying to ignore the premonition, then edged closer to a fireman's broad back and followed him
down the stairs.
***
Jon leaned back on the sofa and watched Eleanor enter the room. She moved with feline grace, hair shining in the firelight. A golden cat, he thought, and guessed that was her alternate form. The cat he'd seen in the forest had been black.