Page 9 of More Bite than Bark

She’d just finished her pizza when she heard the latch on the door.Turning, she watched as Kevin let himself in, two bottles of coke in one hand.

“You didn’t need to get me two.”

“I didn’t.One’s for me.”He came in and let the door swing shut behind him, then dropped the key back where he’d gotten it and handed her one of the cold bottles.

She twisted open the top, listening for the seal cracking that told her it was sealed, then tipped it back and took several long swallows.When she lowered the bottle she found Kevin watching her, one brow lifted.

“Good?”

“Excellent.Thank you.”

“No problem, sugar.”He moved closer, leaned over, and pressed a kiss to the top of her head.“You determined to stay here tonight?”

She frowned.“What do you mean?”

“Why did you come here?”He lowered himself to sit on the edge of the bed.He met her gaze.

“I told you.I couldn’t go home.Michael has a key.”

“I know, but that’s not what I meant.”

“Then what did you mean?”

“Why here?You had to have passed at least thirty hotels, at least half of them nicer than this place.What made you come here, out of all of them?”

She dropped her gaze, first to her hands, then to the floor.“I—I don’t know.”

“Then let’s look at this a little different.Why head this way?Why not go north to Creola, or even to Pensacola or Biloxi?You came here.Why?”

Elizabeth looked up, looking at the abstract print mounted above the bed, but not really seeing it.

“I knew I had to tell you.I came this way because you live out here.”She paused, licking her lips before continuing.“I was going to call you in the morning.”

“That’s what I was hoping to hear.”He reached out and covered her hands with one of his.He tugged them toward him and took her hands in his.“Now that I know, there’s no reason to stay here, sugar.Want to come to my place?The bed’s more comfortable; the fridge is stocked and if we need anything I can send a prospect.I’ll tell them not to let anyone new into the compound without checking with me, so even if Anderson or your mom figures out where you are, they can’t get to you.I’ll protect you, sugar.”

Elizabeth met his gaze, stared at him for a moment as everything her mother would say when she found out ran through her head.that reminded her.She found her phone, and sent Mama a message saying she was fine.She was safe and she would be in touch soon, but she needed some time.She let Mama know she’d be shutting off her phone, then she powered it down.If she stayed here, she’d hear her mother’s voice in her head all night long.She would worry and stress about it.If she went with Kevin, he would distract her and keep her from brooding.

“Let’s do it.”She stood.If she was leaving, she needed to change clothes.

Chapter Seven

“Whatareyoudoing?”Hex asked as Elle started digging through the bags still scattered on the bed.

“Finding something to wear, I need to change.”

“Why?”

She scowled at him.

“Because we’re leaving.I can’t go out like this.”She motioned to herself.

“Why not?I’d be proud to have you on my arm, no matter what you’re wearing.”

She froze and looked at him as if she was trying to tell if he was lying.He didn’t think about what he was doing, he stepped in, hooked an arm around her middle, and tugged her against him as he smashed his mouth against hers as he tried to show her just how deeply he felt.That what he wanted was her, not about what she wore.

She stood stunned for a moment, not moving, then she relaxed against him.Her hands came up to his chest, and she parted her lips and let him in.Unable to resist, Hex buried his hand in Elle’s hair as he lost himself in her taste.Her fingers curled until they were fisted in his shirt, holding on to him as if they were adrift at sea and he was her only hope of survival.Not that Hex minded.He would be her lifeline any day.

As he lost track of the world around them, his arm moved from around her waist, hooking up under the oversized t-shirt she wore and up her torso.He reveled in the soft, smooth feel of her skin.He cupped her ribs, letting his thumb play back and forth over the underside of her full breast.