Perfect Fling (Serendipity's Finest 2)

“I just thought maybe you were pissed. You wouldn’t be in this mess if it weren’t for me.”

She rolled her eyes. “It’s not like you asked this crazy lady to stalk me. Assuming it’s her, anyway. But I do have a question,” she said before she lost her nerve.

“Shoot.”

“Maybe I don’t have the right to ask this, but . . . did you sleep with her? Is that why she got the wrong idea about the two of you?” she asked.

“No!” The word exploded from him, his expression horrified. “Is that what you think? That I led her on during the assignment and then dumped her as soon as it was over?”

She bit the inside of her cheek. “Not really.”

He folded his arms across his chest. “But the thought crossed your mind.”

“For a minute,” she admitted. “I mean, it’s pretty extreme for a woman to go psycho. Although I have prosecuted cases where it’s happened.” She raised her hands, then let them drop, knowing she was rambling, not making sense. “Just chalk it up to me being hormonal.”

And wanting to be special to this man and so very afraid she was just another body in his bed. Her pulse set a rapid beat in her throat.

He studied her for a long moment. She stared back, taking in his exhausted features, the tension in his taut cheekbones, his eyes dark, mouth pulled tight. This was getting to him every bit as much as it was her, and she felt bad getting into arguments with him over nothing.

“Go lock up. I’ll see you in a few minutes,” she told him. They were both tortured by their own thoughts, and maybe space would help.

She just wished she knew what his thoughts were.

Despite wanting to stay awake, Erin passed out the minute she laid down on the comfortable bed and slept straight through until sunlight streamed through the windows the next morning. She wasn’t usually such a heavy sleeper, but this pregnancy was totally changing so much about her normal habits.

She blinked, taking in her surroundings. Windows with large plantation shutters wrapped around one side of the room. The decor was neutral, a warm cream color scheme, allowing for whoever moved in to the house to add their own touches.

Not letting herself dwell on the thought of another owner of this beautiful home, she stretched, and suddenly noticed she was alone in the bed. Cole must have gotten up much earlier.

She went to the bathroom, surprised to find all her toiletries laid out for her already. This sweet, caring side of him never ceased to amaze her, and to keep her addicted to hope—the very thing that might destroy her in the end. Ignoring her wayward thoughts, she brushed her teeth, washed her face, and walked out in time to see Cole step into the room.

His hair was still mussed from sleep, but he’d pulled on an old pair of jeans, leaving them unbuttoned. His feet were bare, as was his chest, and Erin’s mouth watered at the sight of him.

“Morning,” she said, not surprised the word came out a husky croak.

“Hey. Sleep okay?”

She nodded. “Like a dead person.”

His mouth turned down. “Don’t even joke like that.”

She settled on the bed, tucking one leg beneath her. “If I don’t joke, I’ll cry, and I refuse to go there.”

His eyes darkened and he joined her on the bed. “I hate that any part of my life has touched yours. Jed was right when he said I’d be no good for you.”

“Jed’s an ass,” Erin muttered. “Are you seriously telling me you feel responsible for a crazy woman’s actions?” It wasn’t the first time he’d let himself feel responsible for someone else’s behavior. First his father, now this woman.

He let out a snort of disbelief. “A crazy woman whose radar you wouldn’t even be on if not for me.”

“It could just have easily been someone I prosecuted and who got out and wanted revenge. We aren’t responsible for other people’s actions.”

Cole eyed her warily. As usual, he found himself disarmed by her practical nature and her ability to let life just go on around her. “It’s not the same thing.”

“Why? Because you don’t like it when your solitary world touches anyone else’s?” she asked, challenging him in a way no one else ever dared to.

Her eyes, more green today in the sun-drenched room, flashed angry sparks. Her spunk, her ability to bounce back, to go up against him, aroused him like crazy. Made it impossible to keep his distance, when distance would be in her best interest.

“Well?” she asked, straightening her shoulders.