LILLIAN
Her heart stuttered. Brent couldn't know anything about her, about her life. About Michael. But he was damned good guesser. "Don't be ridiculous."
His smile softened, his eyes reflected a mix of regret, sympathy, and hurt. He kissed her forehead then scooted away from her. The odd expression on his face sent warning tingles down her spine.
His rejection stung, but most men weren't into snuggling. Most times, neither was she.
But somehow the small distance between her and Brent seemed like the Grand Canyon instead of a few inches.
"Guess the fun is over, huh?" She sat up and reached for her discarded panties and shorts. "Suppose I can't count on the job now. Stupid me."
"Lillian."
The reproach in Brent's voice stilled her movements. She looked at him, horrified to feel her throat close up, her eyes fill with tears, her lips tremble.
"I think I'm in love with you," he said. "I feel like a truck ran over me and left me flat. I could marry you right now and never regret it."
Surprise wrapped through her pain. Was he serious? "Brent, I—"
He held up his hand to halt her words. "I know you're in trouble. I want to help. But first...who the hell is Kade?"
Lillie felt the blood drain from her face. She'd called out Kade's name? What was wrong with her? "I'm so sorry, Brent. I was in a relationship with a man named Kade, but we parted ways. For good."
"Why do I doubt that?"
"It's complicated. Look, this was...you were wonderful. I've never met a kinder man. But this was all a mistake. I—" She stopped and debated the wisdom of telling him the truth. She needed to find Marissa before Michael did. Michael planned to go after the person she loved most and destroy her.
Lillie had been the one to escape him. She'd been the one to capture him. She'd been the one to put his ass in jail. Then a few weeks ago, he'd escaped...taunted her and Kade with one murder after another. She knew that he wanted her. The only way to save the people she loved was to find him and offer herself as the sacrifice.
Then kill him.
"Lillie?"
She smiled. "Sorry. I'm zoning out. Incredible sex does that to me."
"It was beyond incredible." He stroked her cheek. "You're leaving, aren't you?"
"I have to." She kissed his palm. "I wish things were different. I wish I was a normal woman starting a relationship with a normal man." The urge to confide in Brent remained, but doing so might put him in the same kind of danger that Marissa faced.
"Let me decide."
"What?"
"You're debating whether or not you should tell me something important."
"It might mean putting your life in danger if I talk to you."
"I'll take the chance."
She started to shake her head, but he grasped her chin. "Lillian, I'll take the chance."
***|***|***|***|***
DANE SINCLAIR
DANE SAT IN the darkened bedroom and stared out the window. Almost midnight and he'd been unable to get a wink of sleep.
The moonlight skated across the forest behind the house. A fierce wind blew through the trees; he watched leaves detach and twirl to the ground. He glanced at the gathering clouds in the sky and sighed.
Just what he needed—a thunderstorm.
Across the hall, Marissa slept with her animals, except the blind kitten. That little puffball was curled on his lap, purring. He stroked the kitty's ears, smiling when it arched its head against his hand.
Marissa hadn't spoken a word to him the rest of the day. She responded to his attempts at conversation with one-word answers and hurt looks.
Damn it.
He didn't want to hurt her. Didn't she understand that? If he slept with her...took her virginity...she'd never forgive him. He couldn't be the man she deserved, couldn't give her the relationship she needed. He was a selfish bastard, he knew, but he would never open his heart to another woman.
Especially not to a loving, kind-hearted, silly fool like Marissa Vanderson.
Dane hadn't told Tuesday about the man who'd taken Marissa into the woods. He was sure he'd made a mistake not calling the police. His instincts screamed that Marissa was in danger, but he had no proof.
He couldn't help but wonder if she knew more about the situation than she was telling him. Did she know this guy? Was he the one she was running from?
Frustration propelled him to his feet. He scooped up the kitten and put it on the bed. It curled into a little ball, instantly falling asleep. Dane walked to the window and looked at the ever-darkening sky. Marissa. He turned, crossed the room, and grabbed the doorknob.
What was he thinking?
Hadn't he considered all the reasons he shouldn't make love to Marissa? He needed to be logical, rational, and practical. He didn't want a relationship and Marissa did. Or she would.
He couldn't accept that she would be satisfied with a few nights of sex. She would get hurt and he didn't want to be the cause of her disappointment. His hand slipped away from the knob.
Two more days. He could survive Marissa's presence for two more days. Finish the Freaking List.
Then she'd be gone...he exhaled slowly, not liking the pain creasing his heart. He turned from the door. He needed a cold shower, a tall drink, and a good night's sleep.
***|***|***|***|***
MARISSA VANDERSON
MARISSA CREPT INTO Dane's bedroom and closed the door with a soft click. She'd tired of his rejection. He was just too stubborn. He desired her as she did him.
She wanted no other man and she didn't care that she might not be the only woman in his life. Jealousy jabbed at her guts. Okay, she did care that he might have multiple girlfriends.
She shoved away the thoughts of sharing Dane with other females and climbed into his bed.
"What are you doing?"