I thought of it with some nice, sturdy, black iron candle holders with mulberry scented candles and some curtains covering the blinds.
Stop decorating Hank’s house. I told myself and crossed my arms to emphasize my thoughts to myself.
“You want a drink?” Hank asked from the kitchen after he’d taken off Shamus’s lead. Through the floor and overhead cabinets, I could only see his waist and abs.
As with al things Hank, it was a good view.
Shamus sauntered over and sat on my feet again. I uncrossed my arms and scratched his ears.
“I want to go back to the hotel,” I answered.
“You’re spendin’ the night here,” Hank informed me, moving to the end of the counter that delineated the kitchen from the dining area and leaning a hip against it, then he crossed his arms.
My mouth dropped open and I stared.
Then I closed it.
“I’m not spending the night here,” I said.
His eyes looked lazy again.
My heart started beating faster.
“Come here,” Hank said softly.
“No, take me back to the hotel.”
“Come here and I’l convince you that you don’t want to go back to the hotel.”
Good God.
He didn’t have to convince me, I was already pretty certain I didn’t want to go back to the hotel. But, I had to go back to the hotel, for Hank’s own good if not for mine.
“Whisky, I have to get a good night’s sleep. I have things to do tomorrow.”
I didn’t real y, but I needed an excuse.
“What things?”
I kept silent.
Then he went on. “You can come here or I can go over there and get you. Your choice, but I’l warn you, you should probably come to me.”
I stared at him and he stared back.
My heart wasn’t only beating faster, it was tripping in my chest like a jackhammer.
We kept staring at each other, one beat leading into two, two beats leading into three.
Then his arms uncrossed and he moved forward.
Shamus saw Hank’s advance and deserted me (damn dog).
I backed up and as I was standing at the door, in half a step, my shoulders slammed against it.
I lifted my hands to keep him at arm’s length.
“Whisky…” I started but he avoided my hands by bending double, putting a shoulder to my stomach and lifting me in a fireman’s hold.