Jo blinked her eyes open as she hit the bed, and then gasped as he caught her by the backs of the legs and drew her forward until her butt was on the edge, the jean-covered core of her pressed snugly against him and her thighs on either side of his hips. His eyes were molten silver, his erection standing at attention as he bent to work at the button and zipper of her jeans.
Jo sucked in a breath, shook her head, and then covered his hands and blurted, "Mortimer's here."
Nicholas froze and stiffened briefly and then his head jerked up, his eyes stabbed at her, suddenly more blue than silver. "What?"
Jo sighed and explained, "I went into the store to buy pop after I collected the pizza and Mortimer, Bricker, Anders, and Decker came in while I was there."
"Did they see you?" he asked with concern.
Jo shook her head. "I was at the back of the store. They couldn't see me, but I heard them talking. Mortimer's got the men watching each exit and is calling in more men so they can search floor to floor."
"Jesus," Nicholas muttered, running his free hand through his hair. "We have to get out of here. We'll use the stairs and—"
"They're downstairs watching the lobby and side exits until more men arrive. You have to dress quickly. I have a way out of here."
Nicholas was out from between her legs at once, and Jo flopped back on the bed with a sigh, aware that her body was throbbing and aching with need from just that brief but very hot almost-interlude.
Man, when Nicholas was like that, he was… man , Jo thought faintly, and then gave her head a shake and sat up. Nicholas already had his jeans on and was doing them up. She shifted off the bed and stood to move into the bathroom to check and see if there was anything in there. All she found that was theirs was his brush. Jo took it out and tossed it in his bag as he donned his shirt, and then glanced around that room as well, but she hadn't had anything with her but Charlie, and Nicholas's things were all in his bag.
He was tying up his shoes now, and Jo's gaze slid to the German shepherd as she quickly zipped up the duffel bag. He had been sleeping, but was awake, watching her with interest.
"Come, boy, we have to go," she said, and the dog was on his feet and at her side at once.
"I've got that," Nicholas said, taking the bag from her when she started to pick it up. "Lead the way."
Nodding, Jo turned and hurried out of the room and up the hall. When she bypassed the bank of elevators, Nicholas simply followed, apparently trusting her. His eyebrows rose, however, when they reached the service elevator and he spied Beth standing there with the pizza in hand.
"Beth, this is Nicholas," Jo introduced as she stepped onto the elevator, Charlie at her side. "Nicholas, this is Beth. We have a bio class together Monday nights."
"My, you are a hottie," Beth said with wide eyes as Nicholas stepped onto the elevator.
Jo grinned at Nicholas's discomfort and then said, "Beth's going to slip us out through the kitchens so we can avoid the lobby."
"About that," Beth said suddenly, tearing her eyes off Nicholas and down to Charlie. "I'm not sure I can take a dog through—" She paused abruptly, her face going blank as she said, "It will be fine," and turned to work the elevator.
Jo frowned and then glanced to Nicholas to see him concentrating on her face. It was the guy who had checked them in all over again, only this time she knew what was happening. Nicholas was controlling Beth.
"Stop that," she hissed.
"No," Nicholas said firmly. "We have to get out of here and she was about to back out of taking us through the kitchens because of Charlie."
Jo frowned, her gaze sliding to the dog and then to Beth. "Then we'll have to find another way out. I don't want to get her into trouble."
"She won't be in trouble," he said soothingly. "No one will see the dog."
"Right. How are you going to manage that?"
"The same way I'm managing Beth," Nicholas said calmly. "Now just relax. We're here."
Jo glanced around as the elevator dinged. They'd arrived at the main floor. She waited tensely for the doors to open, relieved when there was no one in the hall, and then quickly led Charlie off and into the small hall she'd passed through earlier.
"This way," Beth said lightly, sounding more like herself as she slid out to lead the way. She also didn't look quite so blank-faced, Jo noted, and glanced to Nicholas in question.
He merely shook his head and gestured for her to follow.
Sighing, Jo fell into step behind her friend, leaving Charlie and Nicholas to follow. Beth headed straight for a door near the end of the hall. When she pushed it open, the sounds of clanging dishes, rushing water, and shouting voices rolled over them. Jo bit her lip and glanced nervously around, waiting for someone to notice Charlie, but no one even glanced their way.