“I didn’t want to wake you.” Her voice is louder and stronger now that the threat of a sharp blade at her throat has been taken away.
I rake my fingers through my hair. “I could have killed you.”
She gives a sheepish smile I can just make out from the dim light of the moon shining through the open door. “I’m grateful you didn’t.”
Tossing the knife onto the counter, I stomp to the side of the bed and flick on the lamp.
Penelope’s gaze drops to my crotch, and her eyes widen. With a loud gasp, she spins around. I’d forgotten I was naked. In my rush to get to the intruder, I had no time to dress.
Finding my jeans on the recliner, I pull them on. “You can turn around.”
She peeks over her shoulder like she’s checking to make sure I’m telling the truth. When she seems satisfied, she faces me. I haven’t put a shirt on, and her gaze scans my chest. Is thatan appreciative expression on her face? No, my mind can’t go there. Not when I’m trying damned hard to stop thinking of her withoutherclothes on.
“What happened to your room at the bar?” With her bags sitting on the porch in front of the door, I’m guessing she’s here to stay. And just when I thought I’d gotten rid of her.
She fiddles with a button on her blouse. “It was horrible. The place was filthy. There was no linen, and the bed was so stained it looked like someone had died on it and hadn’t been found in days.” She shudders.
“It’s rumored that old Mr. Duffy drank himself to death in that room.” Penelope’s mouth drops open, and I add, “No one has ever confirmed it though.”
“I’m not surprised. It was disgusting. I’m sure the mattress is riddled with bedbugs and other bodily fluids.” She scratches at her arms like insects are biting.
“So you thought you could come back here?” There goes my peace and quiet.
She shuffles her feet. “You did originally offer to let me stay. I didn’t think it would be a problem?” She says it as a question, like she’s wondering if I’m retracting the invitation.
I scratch the back of my head. After the reaction I had in the bar, having her here might be a problem.
When I say nothing, she quickly adds, “It’s only for a few days. You won’t even know I’m here.”
I doubt that. “You’re still sleeping on the recliner.”
She smiles with relief. And damn if it doesn’t shoot into my chest. Then a thought hits me. “How did you get back here?”
Pulling her luggage inside from the porch, she closes the door. “Mitch from the bar gave me a ride.”
“Who’s Mitch?”
“The guy you threatened to leave me alone.” She pushes her palms on the cushions of the recliner like she’s testing it for comfort.
My body stiffens. “You got into a car with a stranger?” A stranger who wanted to jump her bones. “He could have been a serial killer for all you know.” Is she nuts?
She nibbles at her bottom lip. “He seemed nice enough. Plus, Alison assured me I was in excellent hands. Mitch has even offered to take me hiking. Apparently there’s a natural hot spring around here.”
My jaw clenches. “You didn’t accept his offer, did you? Just because Allie has given Mitch the thumbs-up doesn’t mean he won’t dispose of your body off the nearest cliff.”
She rolls her eyes. “I thought that would make you happy. Then I’d be out of your life permanently.”
“Normally, I’d be ecstatic. But as I’ve said before—since I’m the last person you’ve been seen with, that will make me the number one suspect.”
Shaking her head, she says, “You’re so dramatic.”
Lifting the luggage onto the bed, she opens it. A bunch of multicolored, lacy bras and panties get tossed around among skimpy bikinis and silky clothing.
“What the hell have you packed?” I swallow hard at the thought of her wearing any of those scraps of material.
She looks at me and back at the luggage. Understanding at my question springs to her face. “Oh, I was supposed to be in Bora Bora. I never expected to be staying in a cabin in the woods.”
“Weren’t you going with a friend?”
