“Coast is clear,” he murmured. Then she heard him give a gravelly chuckle. “I’m such anidiot.”
Figuring it was truly safe to turn around, Rainey did, but she found that she couldn’t lift her eyes to meet his. Instead, they took in his bare feet and his legs now clad injeans.
“I woke up, and you and Archie weregone.”
At his words, she did look up and instantly decided that was a good choice. Jacques was blushing, but he wasn’t shame-faced. Instead, he seemed to laugh at himself, his rueful grin absolutely irresistible tinted in pink. It contrasted deliciously with the snug black T-shirt hewore.
“I was getting dressed to go look for you. I should have beenpatient.”
The pink of his skin deepened a shade. And then Rainey felt her own cheeks color as she found herself wondering if he knew he’d just redefined male beauty as far as she was concerned. Jacques had ruined her for any other man, no matter how shapely his posterior mightbe.
“W-we went for a walk, and I got us coffee on the way back,” she stammered, holding out the obvious containers. “This one’s yours.” She handed him the one in her right hand, the hand that wasn’t tethered to Archie’s leash and stood the best chance of survival for their haphazardjourney.
Jacques stepped up to her and took it, looking inordinately pleased. “Thanks.”
It struck Rainey that if she were just a little bit stronger — if she could live a slightly bigger life— she likely would have seen every part of him already. Seen him. Touched him. Grippedhim.
Tastedhim.
On a swallow, she shook such thoughts from her head. No good could come from playingWhat if.She set her own coffee down on the hotel dresser and proceeded to serve Archie his breakfast from the little plastic container of dog food she’dpacked.
“When should we hit the road?” Rainey asked, ducking into the bathroom to wash her hands and do something about her hair. In her effort to get out of the room without waking Jacques, she’d just stuck it in a ponytail, but if they were going to meet Gloria Lopez-Craine — and especially if she was going to meet her brother for the first time — she wanted to bepresentable.
“Bowling Green’s still a three-and-a-half-hour drive from here,” he called from thebedroom.
In the mirror, she could see him sitting on the edge of the spare bed, donning his shoes. As she brushed her hair, he rose and walked into the living area of the suite with hiscoffee.
When he stepped into view, his eyes widened a fraction, and his gaze moved back and forth from her hair to hereyes.
“What?” she asked nervously, checking her reflection in the mirror. Did she have a wayward curl sticking up in theback?
“Your hair,” Jacques said, sounding awestruck. “You usually pull it back with a barrette or wear it in aponytail.”
Her face went hot again. “Yeah,” she muttered. “It can get kind of out of control if I don’t put itup.”
“It’s beautiful.” His words were a low hush that she felt in herbelly.
He was only a few paces from her, but he suddenly seemed so far away. She’d spent the night in his arms, aware of his body’s heat, the power in his muscles, the insistence of his embrace. It felt almost like a punishment that she couldn’t touch himnow.
She reached for her barrette, and Jacques’s hand shot forward and stayed hers. “Leave it downtoday.”
Rainey blinked in astonishment. “Why?”
The corner of his mouth hooked in his signature grin. “Because it looksamazing—”
“But—” She started to protest, but Jacques just shook hishead.
“No, just listen. We’re going to meet Gloria Lopez-Craine. She’s a hairdresser. She’ll be powerless against you once she sees thathair.”
Rainey could only roll hereyes.
“Besides,” he said, his brows lifting in promise. “I have aplan.”
* * *
“Glorious Locks takes walk-ins,”Jacques said as they merged onto 1-65, headed toward Nashville. “I’ll be the walk-in.”
Rainey took in his devil-may-care rock star hair. “You’re going to let her cut your hair?” Rainey asked withapprehension.
