"I don't think you've got sense enough to let it scare you." And he smiled, slowly, dangerously. "But it should. When I come back," he repeated and stepped away from her. "And I won't give a damn if you're ready."
she steadied herself and grabbed for some pride. "Why, you arrogant bastard!"
"That's right." He walked toward the door, praying he could make it out before the aching for her made him groan aloud. He shot her a last look, skimming his gaze over the tousled, sunlit hair, the eyes that sparkled with a range of dangerous emotions, the mouth that was still swollen from his. "I'd go tidy myself up a bit, doc. Your next patient just pulled up."
He let the screen slam behind him.
the Desire Cottage wasn't much of a detour on the way back to Sanctuary. In any case Jo thought, scrambling to justify it, the walk would do her good.
maybe she wanted to take some afternoon shots of the river, see how many more wildflowers had blooi-ned. And since she'd be walking by, it would be rude not to at least stop in.
Besides, it was family property.
she even worked out a little just-passing- by excuse, did some mental rehearsing to perfect just the right casual long. So it was quite a letdown to get to the cottage and see that Nathan's Jeep was gone.
she stood at the base of the stairs a moment, debating, then quickly mounted them before she could change her mind. There was nothing wrong with slipping in, just for a second, leaving a note. It wasn't as if she would disturb anything or poke around. she just wanted to. Damn it, his door was locked.
It was another minor jolt. People on Desire rarely locked their doors. Too curious now to worry about manners, she pressed her face to the glass panel and peered in.
On the long table that served the kitchen area sat a compact laptop computer, frustratingly and neatly closed. A streamlined printer stood beside it. Long tubes that she assumed held blueprints were stacked nearby. One large square of paper was unrolled and anchored at the corners with a jar of instant coffee, an ashtray, and two mugs. But no matter how she shifted or angled her head, she couldn't make out what was printed on it.
None of my business anyway, she reminded herself, straining to see. At a crash of leaves behind her she stepped back quickly, looked over her shoulder. A wild turkey cut loose with its quick, gobbling call and lumbered into flight. With a roll of her eyes, Jo patted her skipping heart. It would be perfect if Nathan himself strolled out of the trees and caught her spying into his house.
she reminded herself that she had dozens of things she could do, dozens of places she could go. It wasn't as though she'd gone out of her way to see him. By much.
It was probably best that she'd missed him, she told herself, as she jogged back down the stairs and headed home. Taking the Palmetto Trail, she followed the bend of the river into the thick shade where muscadine things and resurrection ferns turned forest to verdant jungle.
she didn't need the kind of distraction, the kind of complication that Nathan Delaney was bound to bring to her life just now. she was just getting back on her feet.
If she pursued a relationship with him, she'd have to tell him about ... things. And if she told him, that would be the end of the relationship. Who wanted to get tangled up with a crazy woman on their vacation?
The path twisted, crowded in by the saw palmettos that gave it its name. she heard the turkey call again, and the long, liquid notes of a warbler. Her camera bag thudded at her hip as she quickened her pace and argued with herself.
So, by not starting anything, she was just saving them both time and embarrassment.
Why the hell hadn't he been home?
"Ssh." Gaff put a hand over Lexy's mouth when he heard footsteps coming along the path near the clearing that was guarded by thick oak limbs and cabbage palms. "Someone's passing by," he whispered.
"Oh." In a lightning move, Lexy grabbed her discarded blouse and pressed it to her breasts. "I thought you said Nathan had gone over to the mainland for the day."
"He did. I passed him on his way to the ferry."
"Then who-oh." Lexy snickered as she peeked through palm fronds. "It's just Jo. Looking annoyed with the world, as usual."
"Quiet." Gaff ducked Lexy's head down with his. "I'd just as soon your sister not catch me with my pants down."
"But you've got such a nice she made a grab for him, and muffling giggles, they tussled until Jo passed out of sight.
"You're a bad one, Lex." Gaff pinned her, grinned down into her face. she still wore her bra-they hadn't quite gotten around to disposing of it-and he enjoyed the sensation of the slick material rubbing against his chest. "just how would I have explained myself if she'd come over this way?"