Whether he liked it or not, he was on this wild ride for the duration, until they reached San Francisco, his attorney was contacted, and the authorities realized they had the wrong guy and cleared his name. He couldnt deny that the drivers license and information that Jo had shown him was his, but the guy in the mug shot was not him, though there was enough of a resemblance to draw the conclusion that they were one and the same.
This had to be a huge misunderstanding of some sort, one he obviously couldnt explain or find a logical reason for, but it was still a mistake. One he wanted to remedy. And he had two days to figure out a way to convince Jo that he was an innocent man. The challenge was more than he could resist.
He might have lost his vacation, but hed just gained something far more exciting and fun. The way he figured things, he had two options during this tripresist or surrenderand being a willing and accommodating captive for Jo would be a far more pleasurable experience. To his advantage, no one would miss him or worry about his absence, since everyone believed he was off to the mountains for a week of quiet and solitude.
He was a guy whod always made the best of a bad situation. This mishap would be no exception.
But first, he needed to make amends for his earlier grumpy behavior. Resting his head on the back of the seat, he let it roll to the side until he was looking at Jos profile. The sun was just beginning to set on the horizon and the pastel hues made her smooth complexion shimmer with radiant warmth.
I want to apologize for my attitude, he said, breaking the silence that had descended over the cab the past half hour. Im sure after Im cleared of all charges and they find the guy who impersonated me Ill find this abduction all very humorous.
She slanted him a dubious look. You think so?
Its what I keep telling myself. He blinked lazily. You really do have my full cooperation. Ive resigned myself to the fact that I cant prove my innocence until we reach the authorities, so I plan to enjoy the ride. And you.
The corners of her mouth curled upward, drawing his gaze to her full, luscious lips. I like your new attitude.
I like your smile, he countered honestly.
Said smile faltered self-consciously. Thank you.
He suppressed a grin of his own. Youre welcome.
He couldnt help notice the flush on her skin. His unexpected compliment had caught her off guard, and he admitted he liked having that slight advantage. Are you married?
She paused, absently ran her tongue across her bottom lip, then admitted, No.
Cant say Im surprised. When she gave him a quick, care-to-explain look, he shrugged his rapidly stiffening shoulders and said, Its hard to imagine a husband allowing his wife to work as a bounty hunter.
She released a pfft sound of derision and rolled her eyes at what she obviously thought was an antiquated viewpoint.
How about a boyfriend?
She shot him a pointed look and visibly bristled. No, and Id appreciate it if you kept your added commentary about that to yourself, she warned.
His mouth twitched, then spilled over with the amusement he could no longer contain. Obviously, there was something about mixing a significant other with her occupation that was a source of contention for her, and he was curious to know why. He wanted to know everything he could discover about Jo Sommersher job, why she did what she did, and the sensuality he detected simmering just beneath her tough facade.
Yeah, especially that.
Physically, he might be restrained. Mentally and verbally he was not.
The wicked possibilities were alluring and endless. Hed wanted his old life back, and here was his chance to embrace a little bit of fun.
4
A LITTLE OVER AN HOUR later, Jo pulled off the interstate and into the drive-through of a fast-food restaurant in Kelso, Washington, located next to the roadside motor lodge she planned to stay at for the night. The town was small and quiet, which suited her just fine since she wasnt looking for excitement or entertainment. All she wanted was food in her stomach, a long, hot shower to ease the tense muscles across her shoulders, a good nights rest, and total cooperation from her fugitive.
Since leaving Seattle and promising to be on his best behavior, Dean had held true to his word and been an exemplary prisoner. Then again, there wasnt much trouble he could get into being handcuffed and strapped securely into his seat.
There were no more protests of not being the man she sought, no more complaints about being restrained, and no more frustration underscoring his tone. Just light, comfortable conversationmostly about her and questions about her time as a cop, the stories of which hed found fascinating and amusingmixed in with an occasional flirtatious comment that filled her with too much awareness. Much to her surprise, shed actually enjoyed their easy exchange, and the time and miles had passed quickly.
She brought the vehicle to a stop in front of the large, lighted outdoor menu, keeping her window rolled up while they perused the available entrees. Deciding on what she wanted to eat, she turned and glanced at Dean, who was still looking over the selection. What would you like?
His deep green eyes found hers, and an irresistible grin creased the corners of his mouth. Well, since the meals are on you, Ill have two of the double western bacon cheeseburgers, a supersize order of fries, and a supersize Coke.
Her brows rose in disbelief at the amount of food he was ordering. Is that all? she drawled, wondering where in the heck he planned to put the small feast. His lean belly didnt look big enough to hold two burgers at one time, let alone everything else he planned to consume.
His broad shoulders rolled in an attempt at a shrug, and his biceps flexed with the awkward movement. He winced, a clear indication that his muscles had grown stiff and sore during the drive. Still, not one derogatory word or a plea to release his cuffs slipped past his lips. Hey, I warned you that I was starved.
So he had, and shed obviously underestimated the voracious appetite hed claimed to have. Are you sure you wouldnt want some dessert to go with your supersize dinner? she asked, a light, teasing note threading her voice.
He glanced at the menu again. Now that you mention it, Ill take a slice of that chocolate mousse cake theyre advertising.
Shed been joking. He was completely serious, and all she could think was that he must burn a whole lot of energy if he ate like that on a regular basis. As her gaze drifted over that toned, virile body shed patted down earlier, various ways of burning calories came to mind. The unbidden pImages** that formed had little to do with conventional exercise, and more to do with the workout provided by hot, hard, sweaty sextwo slick bodies straining, hips pumping, thighs clenching, pulses racing uncontrollably
Oh, yeah, her pulse had most definitely picked up its tempo. Her own body throbbed in cadence with the erotic visions that had flitted through her head, and the interior of the vehicle grew warm, despite the air-conditioning blowing cool air across her skin. She was shocked at her provocative thoughts and the path theyd traveledand who shed allowed to be the male lead in her sexual fantasy.
Her hands tightened on the steering wheel as she inhaled a slow breath. Get a grip, Joelle. The man is a felon, no matter how gorgeous, sexy, and charming he might be, no matter how convincing and genuine he seems. No matter that shed been way too long without a man to ease the kind of sensual cravings that had recently taken up residence within her.
Her hands tightened on the steering wheel as she inhaled a slow breath. Get a grip, Joelle. The man is a felon, no matter how gorgeous, sexy, and charming he might be, no matter how convincing and genuine he seems. No matter that shed been way too long without a man to ease the kind of sensual cravings that had recently taken up residence within her.
He wasnt a man to trust, or even lust afternot when he was on his way to jail and a future destined to be spent behind bars. Chanting that reminder silently in her head, she rolled her window down, placed his enormous, supersize order and opted for a chicken Caesar salad and an iced tea for herself.
Less than ten minutes later, without any mishaps at the restaurants pickup window and her mind firmly back on business, she pulled the Suburban into the motor lodge parking area. After circling the lot once, she chose an isolated spot far enough away from the registration office and anyone exiting the two-story, U-shaped structure.
Turning off the engine, she withdrew the keys, unlatched her seat belt, and grabbed her wallet from the console. She cast a quick glance Deans way, making sure he was still trussed up and immobile. Ill be right back, she told him, satisfied that he was still firmly restrained. Im going to get us a room for the night and well eat once were settled inside.
He flashed another one of his easygoing grins. Ill be right here, waiting.
She opened her door and slid out of her seat, biting back a smile at his obliging attitude, as if it were his choice to sit tight while she was gone, and that hed enjoy every minute of the wait. Amused with his pleasant disposition despite his predicament, she locked him into the truck and engaged the alarm.
She walked briskly across the half-full parking lot and into the small, glass-enclosed office that enabled her to keep an eye on the Suburban and Dean while she registered and paid for their one-night stay. Per her request to the night clerk, she was able to secure a room with two double beds on the first level, located around the backside of the lodge where theyd be afforded a semblance of privacy.
The transaction went smoothly, and without any trouble from Dean in the car. She drove the vehicle around the building, parked in the designated slot in front of their motel room door, and within minutes she had everything unloadedincluding Dean, their duffle bags, and their food. After securing all the locks on the metal door and switching on the cool air to clear out the stuffiness, she turned her full attention to her silent, patient prisoner standing in the middle of the room.
Alone in such a confined space and surrounded by an intimate setting that included two beds, the size of him registered in a purely feminine way. When shed first cornered him in his garage, shed been running on pure adrenaline, ready for action and focused on apprehending him. Now, she was keenly aware of how potently male he was with those big, wide shoulders and toned arms that would have no problem wrapping around a woman her size. Then there were his lean hips encased in soft denim to consider, and strong thighs that framed impressive male anatomy. His stance was completely relaxed, his gaze warm and sensual. He gave no indication that he was wired and ready to spring to action at the first opportune moment, an attitude shed come to expect from most of her captives.
He was tall, tooa good six inches bigger than her own five-foot-five stature that qualified her as petite, a word shed hated from the moment shed learned what it meant to the male gendersmall, delicate, and a featherweight, a nickname Noah always loved to torment her with. The continual comparison of how small she was had been partly responsible for her determination as a teenager to break free from her brothers overprotectiveness. That same fierce perseverance had followed her into her adult years as shed struggled to prove herself as a capable law enforcement officer to her family and colleagues.
Unfortunately, while shed proven her physical strength, agility, and endurance, shed failed miserably at the emotional and mental fortitude shed needed to do her joba personal failure that had ended up costing her Brians life.
Those thick, black lashes framing slumberous eyes blinked lazily at her. Foods getting cold, sweetheart, Dean said, his tone a low, rich murmur in the quiet room. And Im getting hungrier by the second. Are you going to take off the cuffs, or do I get to enjoy the pleasure of you hand-feeding me?
He sounded like he wouldnt have minded the latter. Refusing to allow her misbehaving thoughts to travel in that direction, she glanced around the room once more and considered her optionsand performing the intimate task of feeding Dean Colter by hand was not one of them. Finding the small, rectangular table between the second bed and the corner of the wall, she made her decision based on Deans consistent, non-violent behavior since shed picked him up.
One of the cuffs stays on at all times, she said, unwilling to compromise on that issue. Ill secure the other handcuff around the metal pole beneath the table which will free up your other hand so you can feed yourself. Its more slack than I normally offer my prisoners, so dont make me regret my generosity.
Yes, maam, he drawled.
She followed that up with a steely warning. One false move and not only will you be flat on your ass from my beanbag shotgun, but youll remain shackled and permanently disabled for the duration of the triphands and feet. Do you understand?
He nodded amicably, agreeing to her terms. Sure do.
With that assurance, she splayed a hand against his back and guided him forward, then eased him into the chair on the far side of the table. Quickly and efficiently she unfastened the metal bracelet on his right hand, then reached beneath the Formica surface and secured his left wrist to the thick metal pole. As an added precaution, she wedged him into the corner with the table by pushing it up against both sides of the walls.
Stepping back, she shrugged out of the blouse she wore over her tank top, exposing the revolver holstered to her left side that he hadnt known she carriedif the sudden raising of his brows were any indication. Tossing the gauzy garment onto the nearby bed, she unsnapped the leather strap to free the weapon as an added intimidation tactic, though her stomach rolled at the thought of having to withdraw or use the gun. Especially on Dean, whom she truly liked, despite his criminal status.
His gaze traveled from the gun to her face, his initial surprise replaced by something far more playful. And here I thought I was the only one with a concealed weapon, he teased, a slow smile easing across his lips. Is that thing loaded?
His sexy innuendo was reminiscent of the provocative banter that had passed between them when shed patted him down in his garagebefore hed realized that her cop act was for real. I do believe thats my line, she shot right back.
Touché, he acknowledged, then groaned in relief as he rolled his stiff shoulders and shook out his cramped arms. My hands were starting to tingle and fall asleep. Thank you for releasing me, he said gratefully, then flashed her a sinful smile. Though I have to admit that I was really looking forward to being hand-fed. Youre taking all the fun out of this captive fantasy for me, Jo.
She rolled her eyes at his outrageous, flirtatious comment, then retrieved their bags of food and drinks from the dresser and slipped into her own seat across from him. What can I say? Fulfilling fantasies isnt in my job description, and fun isnt a top priority for me when Im on assignment.