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I’m going to lose my mind on the side of the road.
“You sure chose one helluva day to debut those undies,” he said, returning his gaze to her face. Those big green eyes, that heart-shaped face—she looked so damn innocent.
This is the wood nymph side. He’d seen a lot of her G.I. Jane, ready-to-kick-some-serious-butt side lately. But she wasn’t all hard lines and rough edges.
“Sure you don’t want to change our plans for the day and drive back to the cottage?” he asked.
“I can’t do that.” She zipped up her pants. “Just remember all the reasons we don’t want to end up in a jail cell, OK?”
“Caroline, for the rest of the day, your panties will be front and center in my mind. And I promise that if I start thinking about throwing a punch or two, I’ll take a deep breath, close my eyes, and imagine sinking to my knees and running my hands up your bare thighs to that slip of black lace—”
“Please.”
He pressed his lips together. She wasn’t begging. No, she’d offered the plea like a command.
“If you plant one more tempting image in my mind, I’ll ask you to stop the car,” she said. “But I can’t stay here. I need to keep going.”
“I know.” His right hand released the wheel and reached for hers. He touched her fingers before grabbing hold of her hand. “I swear I won’t say another dirty word until you’re ready.”
Chapter 12
CAROLINE FOCUSED ON the changing scenery outside the window. They’d parted ways with the Pacific Ocean not long after they’d crossed over the Oregon-California line. The trees loomed larger and more imposing as they headed closer to Eureka. Picturesque towns continued to dot the windy road, but she’d stopped noting the names.
I don’t feel like Wonder Woman anymore.
She’d abandoned turned on hours ago, not long after Josh steered the car back onto the road. And she’d tossed empowered and sexy out the window after California’s famous redwoods replaced the Douglas firs. The reality of what she was doing, driving closer and closer to a man who might be waiting to hurt her . . .
Logic—and a detailed private investigator’s report—told her that Dustin had never tried to hunt her down after that one threatening visit to her sister’s home. She doubted he’d let go of his anger. And she still woke up wishing he were in a jail cell instead of roaming free. But he hadn’t contacted her sister or her again.
Still, I’m here. In California. On his turf. . .
If he saw her, he might come after her. But if he did, she’d kick his ass. She would put an end to this. She wasn’t powerless. She was no longer under his command. And she didn’t answer to him.
Of course a fight could land her in jail. And a run-in with the local law enforcement would lead to a stint in a military prison for her. Not exactly her ideal location for a fourth date.
“We’re getting close to the exit,” Josh said.
“Ready to stretch your legs?” she asked.
He’d been behind the wheel since they left the cottage this morning. She glanced at the dashboard clock.
Only two hours had slipped by? Anxiety was like a time warp, drawing out each minute, making the seconds feel like ticking time bombs.
“I thought this was just a drive-by,” he said as he shifted into the right lane and veered off the scenic highway.
“You can stand beside the car and eat your doughnuts,” she murmured as the muscles in her shoulders formed tight knots. The memory of Josh’s massage, the feel of his hands working to ease her body’s determination to stand guard, her need to be ready to fight or flee . . . that memory flew away.
They drove in silence listening as the strange female voice from Josh’s cell phone guided them through California suburbs.
“Arrived at your destination,” the phone announced.
“Thanks, Siri,” Josh muttered as he pulled into the parking lot beside a two-story apartment building.
“He’s in unit 1B. First floor.” After reading it over and over, searching for a clue, she’d memorized the investigator’s report. She reached for the truck door. “Let’s go take a look.”
“Hold up a minute.” Josh placed his hand on her arm. “I don’t think this is a good idea. We can’t just walk by the guy’s home and peek in his windows.”
She leaned forward and withdrew a battered Seattle Seahawks baseball cap from her backpack. “I borrowed it from Noah’s dad,” she explained as she pulled her ponytail through the back of the hat.
