Page 58 of Laura's Truth
But he’d only paused to turn her until she faced the mirror.
“Look at yourself.”
She didn’t want to, tried to look anywhere but at her reflection. She knew what she’d see: breasts too small for her fuller hips and thighs. She was in good shape, she liked her body, she just never thought of it as ‘stunning.’
“You steal my breath, Laura.”
His words whispered across her skin, sank into her heart. She was in over her head.
“You just like the gun.” She felt ridiculous, exposed, and suddenly too fragile while he remained fully dressed behind her.
“I won’t deny it adds a little something.” In the mirror she caught his wink as his hands cruised over her body, dipping low. His touch was light and teasing as he traced the edge of the holster. “May I?” He touched the handle of the little revolver.
The potential embarrassment over the strange situation faded quickly under his tender hands. She couldn’t tear her gaze away from their reflection, her temperature rising with every beat of her pulse.
He stilled, waiting. “Laura?”
She nodded, understanding. He was asking about more than just the gun. He withdrew the revolver and set it aside, his fingertips trailing fire across her skin as he explored her curves. Finally, she couldn’t take anymore teasing. She turned, kissing him and giving herself completely to him and the moment.
***
Drew stroked the supple skin of Laura’s shoulder, his mind a perfect blank. The night air chilled the sweat on his skin but did nothing to cool his desire for the woman tucked close to his side.
He stretched and shifted just enough to catch the sheet and draw it up over them. It was too much work, would take him too far from her, if he got up and closed the balcony door. The soothing sound of the waves nipping at the beach would lull him to sleep soon enough. But he felt bad when she trembled and he felt the chill on her skin. Rolling out of bed, he closed the door and after indulging in one last look at her tangled with the sheets, he turned off the light.
Though he tried not to disturb her, the minute he was in the bed she scooted closer, wrapping one of her long legs with his and laying her hand right over his heart. Something shifted deep inside him, not unlike the peripheral rumble of a passing train. He’d convinced himself that he’d forgotten how to care for someone—anyone—but somehow when his well-fortified defenses encountered Laura, they’d crumbled to dust.
Situational awareness was key to survival. It applied to dangerous field work, but he wasn’t sure how to apply it to a woman as capable and tempting as Laura Talbot.
Staying together wouldn’t be easy. He wasn’t sure it was even possible. Hell, he wasn’t sure she’d be up for that. He wouldn’t blame her for wanting to be rid of him as soon as the adrenaline wore off.
Christ, when had he become so emotional? They’d had sex. Great sex, but still. A one-night stand had to be exactly what she needed. She’d said no regrets, but that was about the case, before things had turned… physical. He stared across the dark room thinking he should’ve left the door open, because he’d never get any sleep at this rate.
He ran his hand over her hair, smoothing it behind her ear, praying sleep would come soon and save him from his risky, sappy thoughts.
But what if? What if the great sex and chemistry between them caused her to think about more... more of whatever came after a one-night stand? Although he hadn’t been thinking of her in those terms when he’d kissed her.
It was damn strange that having Laura beside him made him think about how it might be to have her in his future. She felt so right, his entire system felt relaxed and loose. And hopeful.
He couldn’t be sure where she’d draw the line, how much she’d weigh the things he’d done in recent years against him. They both knew he was no prize, despite the occasional ‘prince’ move in a carriage, but maybe…
They didn’t even know if he had a future.
Maybe there was something more to strive for. A relationship. He wasn’t certain about what he could offer her, but it was an intriguing concept. And it was the first time since he’d been back on his feet that he’d given serious thought to a goal beyond bringing Hackett to justice.
Chapter 13
The morning after hit Laura full force. From the first awkward moment when Drew caught her staring at his face, so handsome and at ease in sleep, all the way through a room service breakfast on the balcony. Now they were finishing off the coffee and waiting for word from Ross. She didn’t know what to say or quite how to be with Drew. They made small talk, but they kept bumping into each other as if they were both unsure about how the other would react to any display of affection.
For her part, she wanted the contact, but was afraid if she crossed that line she’d never find her way back. She thought a man like Drew, used to being alone, would find that behavior clingy and feel smothered.
Last night had been… amazing. As simple and complicated as that. She wasn’t sure what she’d expected, but she’d experienced so much more. Tenderness and passion, a physical connection that felt deeper than a one-night stand. Was she crazy? Was she caught in some foggy afterglow that painted Drew in a different light?
She had to be superimposing some previously unknown fantasy here. He was a loner. Even if she could help him reclaim his life, he hadn’t given any indication he wanted to change that status. She should say something, assure him she didn’t have any clingy expectations.
“About last night,” she began, not quite able to look him in the eye.
“Hold that thought,” Drew said as the phone chimed with a new message alert. “Ross says Aziz is well and has been moved to a secure facility out of town.”