If I pet you, smile at you, will you relax?
Her eyes widened for a moment on his before she looked away. Youre playing with me.
I dont play with peoples feelings.
Her huge eyes met his. Do you still hate me?
Hate you?
You know, from high school.
He stared at her for a moment, then laughed, but she didnt so much as smile, so his own slowly faded. Danielle, back then, hating you was just about the furthest thing from my mind.
Even afterthat night?
Especially after that night.
When her misty eyes blinked in surprise, he nodded wryly. Yeah. Big-time crush.
I had no idea.
No kidding.
She grimaced. Im sorry. I hate to think about those days, about the kids I hung with, and how mean they were-
It was a long time ago. He backed away from her, annoyed that hed brought any of it up. Annoyed that hed still occasionally wondered about her. Like I said, I dont think about those days anymore.
She glanced down at Sadie, that vulnerability and infinite sadness back in her gaze. Yeah.
Just looking at her again made him feel like that stupid, gawky teenager he thought hed left behind years ago. Had left behind years ago. He was a successful, respected journalist. He had a life, a great one.
He didnt need this. He nodded toward Sadie, suddenly eager to see them leave, eager to get back to his carefully unplanned leisure time, where he didnt have to think or feel. Lets just get your pictures, okay?
Yeah. Danielle tried to pull Sadie before the outdoor screen. Sadie didnt want to go. Digging her paws in, jaw stubborn, she held back.
But apparently Danielle was just as stubborn because she pulled and pulled with all her might. Youregoingto pose, she grunted.
Fascinated and amused in spite of himself, Nick watched. Danielles brow was furrowed, her hair in her eyes. Her face, tight with concentration, slowly turned as red as it had when shed realized shed shoved her very nicely curved bottom in his face.
Filled with determination, she did indeed eventually budge the dog, and he had to admire the strength in her willowy frame for doing so.
Youcouldhelp, she rasped, getting Sadie on the right spot, tossing him an irritated look that only made his grin wider.
Why? Youre doing great. The dog had to weigh over a hundred pounds. No way was he going to push it around and risk losing a finger or more. He was fond of his fingers. And fond, he discovered, of watching Danielle sweat.
He wondered what else would make her sweat and grunt like that. Wondered if she liked down-and-dirty sex, if she-
Whoa. Back the truck up. He was not having those thoughts, not about this woman.
Okay, Danielle said breathlessly, straightening. Get ready, Nick. She stroked the dog, soothed her, kissed her nose, even rubbed her cheek against Sadies.
Nick watched this honest display of affection and felt something tug inside, good and hard. Damn it.
Take the picture, Danielle said. Quick.
Nick moved behind the camera, watching through the lens as Danielle praised and hugged Sadie, with little disregard for the dog hair sticking to her clothing, for the drool that dripped down one arm, for her own wildly rioting hair, or the way she once again presented him with her delectable backside.
Ready? she tossed over her shoulder.
Ready, Nick said, eyes glued to her body as she quickly moved out of range.
When the camera shutter closed, she sagged back against the wall in relief, closing her eyes, breathing deeply.
Mesmerized by the emotions crossing her fine features, Nick moved from behind the camera and came to stand before her. Its just a picture.
Her eyes flew open. When can I have them?
In about three weeks.
How about I pay you for the film? You can just give me the roll and Ill get them developed myself.
Thats not the way Providence Photography works, he said, absorbing her growing panic. Danielle-
The bell above the front door of the studio chimed. Danielle jerked to face him. I thought you said you were closed.
We are. Nick groaned at the thought of taking more pictures. Because bad as a dog was, it could get worse, far worse.
He could have to take a baby picture.
Nick. Danielle gripped his shirt when he turned to go out front. I need to tell you-
Hang on, Ill be right back. But short of prying her fingers from him, he couldnt budge her. Then he saw her face, which had gone colorless. Hey. Concern replaced everything else, and without thinking, he stroked her hair from her face, touching her cheek. What is it?
If its the police-
The police? He went very still. Why would it be the police?
If it is, she repeated, swallowing hard. I-
Hello? called a male voice from out front. Sergeant Anderson. Anyone here?
4
OH MY GOD. Danielle slapped a hand over her mouth. Her blood pounded in her ears as her heart dropped to her toes.
Sensing her distress, Sadie butted her big head into Danielles stomach, knocking her back a few feet. She dropped to her knees and hugged the dog close. Shh, she begged, pressing Sadies broad face against her chest. They wont take you back, I wont let them.
The promise was genuine, though she had no idea how to keep it. Above her, Nick swore under his breath, and she spared a second to feel incredibly stupid for getting into this situation. How had they found her?
And what would Nick do now? Turn her in?
Of course he would, anyone in his right mind would. He had no idea what was happening or what shed done. No ties as distant as theirs were would warrant him getting in trouble with the law for her.
And what would Nick do now? Turn her in?
Of course he would, anyone in his right mind would. He had no idea what was happening or what shed done. No ties as distant as theirs were would warrant him getting in trouble with the law for her.
Ill be right out, he called out to the waiting sergeant. He stared down at Danielle. Im in the darkroom, just give me another second.
Then he dropped down beside her, forcing her chin up. Odd, but his long, warm fingers on her throat were the most comforting thing shed felt in a very long time. So was the way he looked at her, as if he was deeply concerned. As if she mattered.
His body was close, so close she could have moved a fraction of an inch and let him support her. Tempting. God, so tempting.
But that would be weak, and one thing Danielle refused to be was weak.
Nick brushed up against her. He put his mouth to her ear, eliciting a shiver at the feel of his breath fluttering her hair. I take it youre in some deep shit?
He smelled good, pure male, she thought inanely. His hair curled over his ear so that her breath disturbed the strands. He felt warm and solid, and she wanted to press closer.
Why was she noticing such things at a time like this?
Danielle?
Youmight say that Im in a tad bit of trouble, she whispered.
Whats going on?
Its a long story. She didnt want to tell him how pathetic shed been to have had her entire life taken away from her. Closing her eyes, she waited for him to call out and announce her presence. Any self-respecting citizen would.
Did you hurt anyone?
Her eyes flew open. No!
Commit murder?
God, no!
Okay. He put his mouth to her ear again. Whatever they think you did do, are you innocent?
This time his lips touched the sensitive skin just beneath her ear, and another shiver wracked her frame. A shiver he must have taken for fear because he ran a hand down her arm.
No, she managed, blinking up at him because he wasnt betraying her. Why wasnt he betraying her? Im not innocent. But I only did it to protect-
Hello? the officer called out again, sounding unmistakably annoyed.
Coming! Nick looked at her for another long heartbeat before closing his eyes briefly, muttering something about being a damn, sentimental fool. Where did you park your car?
Its not mine, its my friends. Down the street and around the corner. There wasnt any free parking out front and I didnt have change-
Thank God for small favors. Get in the closet. Sadie, too. He opened it, put those hands of his on her hips to guide her in.
Wait. She resisted his hands when she really wanted to close her eyes and whimper at the feel of them on her. I dont want to get you in trouble.
I do fine in that area all on my own, thanks. Now get in.
I dont need your help, Nick.
I hate to argue, but it would appear you do. Again.
Yeah. Again. God, that burned. Especially when her pride was all she had left. For a moment, she almost wished he was a perfect stranger, that they had nothing in their past to give them this odd, inexplicable connection she didnt understand and didnt want. I can do this myself.
How? By running out the back door and hoping they dont hear you? Get in, he urged, pushing her in the closet. Leaning in after her, he squinted into the dark. You okay in here for a few?
That he would take the time to ask nearly broke her. But she gathered up every last dollop of inner strength she had and nodded as if she did this every day.
Nick turned to Sadie. You too, dog. Apparently unwilling to push the dog in, he waited to be obeyed.
Drooling, Sadie studied the wall.
Get in, he repeated, cautiously reaching out with his foot to gently shoo her in.
Sadie leapt as if hed tried to kill her.
Nick looked as startled as the dog. Hey, just get in the damn closet.
Here, Danielle said quickly, pulling Sadie in herself, letting out an oomph as the nervous dog sat her considerable weight in Danielles lap.
Dont make any noise, Nick commanded in a hushed tone. And then he was gone.
Danielle sat there in the dark with her one-hundred-fifty-pound baby. In her life shed been in some pretty tight and uncomfortable situations, but thisthis definitely took the cake. Well be okay, she said softly.
Sadie turned in her lap, nearly breaking her legs in the process, pressing her warm, wet nose into Danielles neck. Four paws shifted up and down in nervous excitement, wondering when the games began.
This isnt fun time, Danielle whispered. Shh, now.
But Sadie was convinced it was a game, and got herself all wound up, which meant more drooling, more rustling, more frantic maneuvers on Danielles part to calm down the young dog. I know, she whispered, wrapping her arms around Sadies bulky neck. I know, I know. You want to play, but hang on.
Her legs were killing her, strained with the weight of the heavy, overgrown puppy, but there was little room to shift in the loaded closet. Still, she managed to lay back, scooting over to give Sadie enough room so that she could get off her lap.