I narrowed my eyes. “Where did my courageous kitten go?” I challenged her. “Seems to me, you’re using up all of your mettle fighting me, instead of the son of a bitch coming after you.”
Her shoulders straightened and her eyes spit daggers at me. “I’m not a coward, jackass. I’m smart.”
“I never said you were a coward, babe,” I soothed. “I was simply suggesting you redirect your energy.”
She seemed mollified by my explanation, but her determination didn’t waver. “The only way I’ll go back is if that bastard is six feet under.”
Standing from the other side of the bed, I walked around the edge until I was standing right in front of her. “How about a compromise, kitten? You come back with me now and I swear on my life, I will protect you. And, we’ll make sure you’re free from Pat O’Reilly.”
She hesitated, clearly wavering on her decision. I crowded into her space and clasped her face between my hands before leaning down to kiss her plump lips. “Do you trust me?” I asked softly, lowering my hands to her waist.
“Yes.” She gasped after her abrupt answer and slapped a hand over her mouth disbelievingly. I was sure she could see the smug satisfaction in the smile that formed on my face. She removed her hand and her nose scrunched up adorably when her look turned annoyed. “I don’t know why, but yes, I trust you.”
I kissed the tip of her nose and muttered, “Great, now get ready to go.” She opened her mouth, more than likely to argue with me, so I kissed the fuck out of her. I had to tear myself away before I dragged her to the ground and buried myself inside her.
Turning her, I gently pushed her in the direction of the bathroom with a smack on her butt to get her moving. “You’ve got twenty minutes.” She shook her head but didn’t fight me and disappeared to take a shower. I seriously considered joining her, but I knew not only would I break my vow to make her first time special, but I wouldn’t be able to stop and we’d get out of there much later than I planned.
To my pleasant surprise, she was ready in less than fifteen minutes. Stepping from the steamy bathroom, her face scrubbed clear of makeup, dressed in jean shorts and a white tank top. Her gorgeous hair, damp and hanging down around her, drying into natural curls. I had a flashback to the sight of matching curls, neatly trimmed between her legs. With a tight smile, I strolled into the bathroom and took an arctic shower.
When I emerged, she was completely packed and ready to go. She knew how to travel quick and light, something I admired, but was irritated she’d ever had to learn.
She was powering down a cell phone and my brow furrowed. “Calling someone?” I growled in irritation.
“Messages,” she answered shortly. She held out her hand, palm up, and looked at me expectantly. “My gun.” It was a statement, not a question, but I shook my head.
“Not until I’m convinced you won’t be aiming it at me, kitten.” She made a sound of aggravation and spun around, marching for the front door. So fucking cute.
She was waiting at the bottom of the porch steps as I shut and locked the door. Which made me curious. “Who is Mac Thomas?” It was the name on the mortgage for the little house.
She shrugged casually. “Friend of a friend of a friend.” I frowned, not happy with her answer, or her overly nonchalant attitude. Before I could delve into it, she asked, “What do you want to do for wheels? I took the bus here from the next town over where I ditched my um—borrowed car.”
I tried not to laugh, but damn, I really did love everything about this woman. The thought didn’t stagger me like I would have expected. I guessed my mind was simply accepting what my heart had already known.
There was a reason I’d had to chase her. She was well equipped with the knowledge to go on the run, as well as a talented thief, an excellent markswoman, and sexy as fuck. I was definitely going to have my hands full. A very appealing idea.
“That’s my rental, right there.” I pointed to the non-descript, dark blue SUV across the street.
“A rental?” she scoffed and shook her head. “Amateur.”
I rolled my eyes. “Says the kitten in the house I was able to track her to,” I drawled, enjoying the sight of her cheeks becoming a little pink. “Do you really think I don’t have the contacts for completely clean alternate identities? This car is buried so deep, the devil himself couldn’t connect it to me.”
“Touché,” she replied before setting off for the car.
Once our bags were in the car and we’d both settled in our seat, I started the drive home. She was holed up in a tiny town in Maine, and we had around an eight-hour drive. I grilled her on everything she knew for a couple of hours, making sure I knew as much as she did about the situation. Every detail I wasn’t aware of was a potential threat.