“Where you going?” Jesse’s sleep filled voice jolted her heart to a rapid rhythm.
“Jesse Cochran, you’re in my bed!”
Jesse turned her onto her back, then propped himself on his elbow, his face towering over her, one eyebrow raised.
“Yes, if I remember correctly, by invitation.” He had the nerve to grin.
“We’re naked!” she whispered, pulling the sheet up to her neck.
He wrestled the sheet from her hands, raised it, and glanced down. “So it seems.”
“Get up.” She shoved him with her foot.
Jesse grunted and frowned. “Ow! What’s the matter with you?”
“I can’t believe what you did.” Tori sat up, the sheet wrapped firmly around her.
“Honey, I hate to throw stones at your virginal righteousness, but what happened a few hours ago we did. Together. Both of us.”
“Oh, you would say that.” She fisted her hands. “You took advantage of me.” What a stretch that was. Not only wouldn’t he believe that, she didn’t believe she’d actually said it.
Jesse shook his head and sat up. “Wait a minute. I remember asking you if you were sure, and you said yes.”
“I wasn’t thinking properly. You should have known that. Also, my spectacles were on the table.”
He stared at her, opening and closing his mouth like a fish. “What’s that supposed to mean? You didn’t recognize me?”
She looked down her nose at him. “Oh, you would try to confuse the argument.”
“How? With logic? Something you are not at all familiar with, it appears.” He jumped out of the bed and pulled his pants on. “You know, lady, I always thought you were crazy.” His fingers worked frantically at the buttons. He reached for his shirt. “Now I know you are.”
“I am not crazy, and what about Rachel?” Tori said, getting out of the other side of the bed and dragging the sheet with her.
“What has Rachel got to do with this?”
“Exactly!” She raised her finger in the air. “You were so full of lust, you forgot why we’re even here.”
He stopped putting on his shoe and stared at her. “Full of lust? Did you just say full of lust?”
“Yes. Full of lust. A poor, helpless young girl is out there.” She threw one arm toward the window, her other hand clutching the sheet. “All you can think about is this.” She motioned toward the bed.
“Mr. Cochran, breakfast is ready if you and your wife would like to eat before you leave.” Catherine’s voice came from the other side of the door.
“Isn’t this just wonderful?” Tori whispered furiously as she bent to scoop the nightgown from the floor. “I’ll bet they heard your lust right through this door last night. In fact, I’ll bet you woke the animals in the barn.”
Jesse tightened his belt buckle, then pointed his finger at her. “You should be locked up for your own safety.”
Picking up his boots and socks, he left the room. His greeting to the Coles grated on her nerves. She plopped on the bed and fought the tears threatening to fall. How could she have let that happen? What had seemed like such a good idea at the time, now triggered feelings of disgust and anxiety. What had she been thinking? She hadn’t been thinking, that’s what. And while she’d engaged in immoral behavior, her niece hadn’t been found.
She put her head in her hands and groaned. So much for her promise to never get involved with a charming man again. Now see what she’d done. She mentally pulled herself up. It would end right here. She hadn’t put her heart on the market, and if she had, Jesse Cochran would be the last man she’d offer it to. Charm had gotten her the humiliation of a broken engagement, and now charm had gotten her into even more trouble.
Chapter 7
Tori eased the bedroom door closed and settled at the breakfast table.
“You look much better this morning, Mrs. Cochran.” Catherine rested her hands on her belly. “I have hotcakes and bacon.”
Tori winced at the use of the fictitious name, and shook her head. “Just some coffee or tea, please.”