Storm Watch(47)

“I wasn’t, no. Things change. Life’s too short.”

Her heart skipped an entire beat. “We’d drive each other insane within a few dates, Jason.”

“Chicken.”

Lizzy let out a breath and went into the bathroom. Locking the door, she thunked her head against it. Lord, was she out of her element when it came to him. Pushing away from the door, she turned on the shower. There was no hot water, but even a cold one had to help.



THE BATHROOM LOCK CLICKED loud into the silence, the message clear to Jason.

Do.

Not.

Disturb.

Got it. He collapsed in exhaustion on the couch and leaned his head back, letting his eyes close for a moment as he heard the shower go on in the bathroom.

Without electricity, that was going to be one hell of a cold shower, but hey, if that’s what she wanted to do rather than face him, fine. At least out here he could have some peace and quiet.

Hell.

He didn’t want peace and quiet. He wanted to be in that shower with Lizzy.

Stripping her, soaping her, touching her. Tasting her.

He opened his eyes at the odd sound, an unmistakable click of steel, a sound that reminded him of—

“Don’t move,” a man said softly, moving around to the front of the couch, holding a gun pointed at Jason’s chest. “Don’t move and I’ll let you live.”





15




THE COLD SHOWER didn’t help. Getting out, Lizzy wrapped herself in a towel, and then froze at the sound of voices out in the living room. Her heart surged in her chest and she lunged for the door, because the only person she could think of who’d come here was Cece.

Please, God, let it be Cece.

She ran into the living room, tucking her towel between her breasts, dripping water everywhere, and skidded to a shocked halt at the sight that greeted her.

Jason on the couch, his hands up behind his head, wrists in handcuffs, which were locked around the wood beam that the couch backed up to, the one that bisected her small living room.

More shocking—standing in front of him was Mike, her neighbor.

Holding a gun.

“Mike!” she cried in shock. “What are you doing?”

Mike was fiftysomething, tall, reed thin, and an ex-cop. He’d been shot while on duty last year and medically discharged. His head whipped toward Lizzy, his eyes widening at the sight of her standing there in nothing but a towel. “Lizzy.” He gulped, then quickly looked away. “I caught this guy trying to loot you.”

“I wasn’t—” Jason broke off when Mike waved the gun at him.

“You shut up.” Mike was a good guy who’d been through some bad stuff, including coming back after being evacuated during the big fires to find his house had been robbed.

“Jason isn’t a looter, Mike, he’s…” She broke off and looked at Jason.

At her hesitation, Jason slid his eyes in her direction and arched an eyebrow.

Considering that the guy had a gun on him, he should be terrified. But he looked more annoyed than afraid, especially at her pause. “A friend,” she said, not looking at him again. “He’s a friend.”

Jason snorted.

Mike frowned and took another peek at Lizzy, specifically her tiny towel barely covering her wet body, and gulped again. “Are you sure?”

“Yes,” she said firmly, ignoring Jason’s sardonic gaze. “Very sure. Please put the gun down.”

Mike lowered the gun and rubbed his jaw. “Sorry,” he said to Jason. “But we’ve been robbed blind before.” He turned back to Lizzy, still clearly willing to kick some ass. “I’ve been checking for Cece, but haven’t seen her. The cell service was so spotty, I couldn’t call you.” He stuck the gun in the waistband of his jeans. “Sorry again,” he said in Jason’s direction, and moved to the door.

“Mike? The key?”

“Oh. Right.” Mike shoved a hand into his pocket and fished out the cuff key, tossing it to her.

Lizzy shut the front door behind him, then leaned against it and looked at Jason.

Stretched out and cuffed, the muscles in his biceps and chest stood out in bold relief. His hands held on to the beam, wrists bound, and she had one clear thought.

Sweet mother of God.

He was still wet, still big and bad, and if she wasn’t mistaken, also fairly pissed off.

And sexy. God, so sexy.

“You going to bring that key over here?” he asked silkily. “Or stare at me all day?”



LIZZY APPROACHED JASON wearing only the towel and a matching blush. “I’m sorry.”

He lifted a shoulder and watched her, hoping her towel would do him a favor and slip. It was the least she could do. “I have no problem with the cuff. I just prefer to be the one doing the cuffing.”