The Hero's Redemption

When he strolled beside her into the produce department, she said, “Don’t you need anything?”

“Not especially, but I’ll pick up some fruits and vegetables, too. I don’t eat enough of them.”

Watching as he gently fingered cantaloupes until he found one to his satisfaction had her mouth going dry and her knees unsteady. When she wrenched her gaze away, she was annoyed to see shoppers eyeing him distrustfully.

She stepped closer and glared at one balding guy who was just standing there, as if he was afraid to turn his back on Cole. What was his problem?

It could only be the extremely short hair, Erin decided as they progressed from the fruit section to vegetables. So many people in their twenties and thirties had tattoos now, and the tiny glimpse of one on his neck wouldn’t disturb anyone. His size drew attention, too, of course, and there was that sexy saunter. The guarded expression and aloof air might not help—but when he glanced at her and raised his eyebrows, she saw amusement he would never have let her see even a week ago.

“What?”

“You’re staring at me.”

“Oh.” Darned if her cheeks didn’t warm. “Sorry. I was thinking.”

“About something deep?”

“No, um…” She cast around for an excuse. “Whether to buy romaine or red leaf lettuce. Or maybe one of those mixes in a box.”

Something that was almost a smirk told her he didn’t believe her.

The romaine looked tattered, so she snatched up a head of frilly red leaf lettuce and stuffed it in a plastic bag before dropping it in her cart.

She could invite him into her bed. But as she grabbed several bell peppers, Erin knew what a mistake that would be. Casual sex had never been for her. She was bound to get attached. Or was it more attached? Face it, she couldn’t afford to risk being devastated when he moved out, moved on.

Cucumber. Sugar snap peas would be good in her salads, too.

She really, really needed to stick to business.

* * *

COLE OFFERED ERIN the car keys when they left the store, but she shook her head and said, “You drive.”

The Jeep Cherokee was a lot bigger and heftier than his Firebird, but he liked the feel. Pleased at how comfortable he felt behind the wheel, he decided Erin was right; apparently, this was one of those things you never forgot how to do, once you’d learned. He was kind of sorry to get back to her place, set the emergency brake and turn off the engine. This time, she did take the keys. She also scooped up her grocery bags, said good-night and went in her house without issuing any invitation.

Lying in bed later, hands clasped behind his head as he gazed at the ceiling, he thought about their relationship. Keeping it simple was good. For whatever reason, she was vulnerable right now, which might make her susceptible. He’d despise himself if he came on to her. And if they did have sex, what would happen after?

Between one blink and the next, he imagined her—saw her—sprawled on her bed, naked, slim and pale and beautiful. Their legs were tangled, and his much darker hand stroked her. Slipped between her thighs. Damn it.

Why worry about after? a voice whispered in his head.

Even thinking that made him a son of a bitch. Erin had taken a chance on him. She wasn’t a woman he could dismiss the minute he was done with her.

He shifted uncomfortably, frustrated as he’d been from the minute he set eyes on her. He should be looking elsewhere, but how could he bring a woman to this apartment? Hell, without his own car, he couldn’t take that hypothetical woman anywhere. She’d have to do the driving. Here, where his bedroom window looked out at Erin’s, wasn’t an option. The idea felt distasteful.

Plus, available women were likely to be found at a bar or tavern, and places like that made him especially uneasy. The minute he walked into one, everybody in the place would turn to stare at him. With his luck, there’d be a couple of the kind of assholes who’d instantly see him as a challenge. He could not afford a fight.

Was this what the rest of his life would be like? Always knowing he didn’t dare take risks? He wanted to believe he could quit thinking this way once he was released from parole, but maybe not. Cops would never get over assuming the worst about him, he knew that.