Northern Rebel Daring in the Dark - By Jennifer Labrecque Page 0,136

the last candle and looked at Richard. There was no animosity in his blue eyes, merely a guarded wariness. “I don’t believe the end justifies the means, but better that Elliott discovered this now than after we were married.” She paused and smoothed her fingers down the front of her shorts. “I’m not sure I can be your friend, but I’m not your enemy.” She looked him square in the eye. “Unless you hurt Elliott—then all bets are off.”

Richard blinked, obviously surprised. A smile crooked his mouth and he nodded. “Fair enough.”

Elliott returned from the bathroom and looked from one to the other. “I feel as if I’m interrupting something.”

“I’m just filling him in on all of your bad qualities, but I haven’t had nearly enough time,” Tawny said.

Elliott feigned amazement. “I was unaware I had any.”

Tawny smiled angelically. “I could catch you up to speed if you had an hour or so.”

“You’re a sweetheart to offer, but I suspect you have better things to do with your time.” Elliott picked up the photo of Simon and Tawny and studied it. “Here’s the deal, Tawny. I think he’s scared to trust that someone could actually love him. That it’s not just a mistake. Simon knows all about how to love. He just doesn’t know how to be loved.”

She crossed her arms over her chest and smiled. “Well, he’s about to learn.”

He handed her the photo and grinned. “Feeling that way about you must scare the hell out of him. And for you to tell him you loved him...I’m sure he’s terrified.” Elliott shook his head. “If I didn’t know you’re the best thing that could possibly happen to Simon, I’d feel sorry for the poor guy...almost.”

13

“JUST A MINUTE!” Simon yelled. Couldn’t a guy find a moment of peace in his own apartment? First his father called on his cell phone after he’d dropped him off, then Elliott rang with some stuff and nonsense about staying home, now someone at the door.

He clattered down the grated stairs of his loft. At least the electricity was back on and he didn’t have to worry about what would happen to Tawny after dark. If the electricity hadn’t been restored by dusk, he’d planned to show up on her doorstep so she didn’t have to endure the dark night alone. It would’ve been awkward, but he didn’t want her alone and scared in the dark. Now that wouldn’t be necessary.

Despite the return of power, and hence air-conditioning, it hadn’t put a dent in the heat. He’d showered without shaving and thrown on running shorts and a T-shirt. He was clean, but he looked grungy. Grungy suited his mood.

He threw open the door and then wished he hadn’t. Tawny stood on the other side. He stared at her. A sundress clung to her curves. Her hair was piled atop her head. Sunglasses hid her eyes. A backpack purse was slung across her back.

“What are you doing here?” he asked. Rude and abrupt usually put people off.

“You might’ve had dismal parents, but I’m sure they taught you better manners than that. Aren’t you going to ask me in?”

Of course, rude and abrupt didn’t seem to work so well on Tawny.

“Come in.” He ran his hand through his hair but stepped aside. He didn’t feel particularly up to gracious, which wasn’t his strong suit on a good day. And this wasn’t a good day. “What are you doing here?” he repeated his earlier question. He left the door ajar as a not-too-subtle hint.

She closed the door and pushed her sunglasses to the top of her head. Her eyes sparkled. She looked positively radiant, and he was positively flummoxed.

“I’m here to collect on a promise.”

She stepped closer, and the unique blend of perfume and Tawny triggered all those sensory things that made it bloody near impossible to think straight instead of thinking about having his face buried in her neck and his willy in her.... She did not need to come any closer.

“I didn’t make any promises.”

“It wasn’t an exact promise. It was more along the lines of a promise of intent.” She shrugged off her purse and held it in one hand. She looked him over from head to toe, sexual heat radiating from her, scorching him.

Simon shifted from one foot to the other, at a total loss. He’d walked out on her this morning and now she stood eyeing him as if he was a Popsicle on a summer day. And mother of God, he knew