She pushed the door open and saw Harley in front of a punching bag. Well, there goes the chance to forget about him for a few minutes.
Sweat gleamed on his naked back, and his muscles were taut as he worked the bag. Her mouth watered as she stood and drank him in. He turned when she let out a sigh.
“Sorry, didn’t hear you come in.”
“It’s okay.” She looked away and was grateful to see a treadmill against the far wall. “I was hoping there was a treadmill.” She smiled. “Can I hit it?”
“Sure.” He stepped aside and took his gloves off. They were fingerless and huge on her hands.
She took her stance, much like she had seen in movies, and then punched it. It barely moved, and she blushed.
“You hesitated at the last minute. You won’t hurt the bag, Norah. Hit it again.”
She threw her body weight into the punch and hit it harder. A smile spread across her face when the chain rattled.
“That felt good.”
Harley nodded and smiled. “Hit it again.”
She did, and the bag moved even more. It made her feel strong, and frankly, like a badass. She took the gloves off and handed them back to him. “Thanks.” She grinned widely and then headed for the treadmill.
“No problem. I’m going to head into the kitchen and see what I can throw together for dinner.” He didn’t possess the strength it was going to take to watch her run and not pull her onto the floor beneath him. Better to give her the time she needed to make sure this was what she wanted. Because once he got his hands on her, he had no intention of ever letting her go.
* * *
ONCE SHE WAS sure he was gone, Norah picked the gloves back up and slipped them on her hands. She had only been in one fight growing up, and after all the times Clayton had pushed her around, she wasn’t sure she was still capable of sticking up for herself. She wanted to find out.
She took the same stance she had before and took her time throwing punches at the bag. She focused on mimicking the stances of people she had seen on TV, and smiled widely when the bag moved more than it had before. Maybe she could talk Harley into teaching her how to box. Then if someone came after her, she might be able to protect herself. She was damn tired of being the damsel in distress.
10
A week later, just as he had promised, Gerry showed up. He came bearing groceries, new outfits, and even, to Norah’s embarrassment and gratitude, feminine products.
“Figured you might find yourself needing these,” he said, and handed her the box.
“Thank you, Gerry.” She kissed his cheek.
“You keep kissing me on the cheek like that and I’ll bring you anything you want.” He winked and looked to Harley. “Brought you a smaller caliber handgun, and some ammo to go with it.” Gerry pulled out a plastic gun box and opened it to show him the contents.
Knowing nothing about guns, Norah watched in awe as Harley pulled it out and looked it over. He dropped the magazine (hey, she knew that word!) and somehow slid the top of the gun open in order to look inside.
“Thanks, Gerry.” He set the gun down on the table and looked at Norah. “You ever use one of these before?” he asked shortly.
“I have not.”
“You’re going to learn.”
“Sorry?”
“I’m going to teach you how to properly handle and fire a gun.”
The thought of learning how to use one intrigued her. She had never had an aversion to guns, just never had anyone to teach her about them. The thought of learning how to use a tool that could help save her life exhilarated her.
“Okay.”
Harley nodded and helped unload the groceries Gerry had brought. Norah watched as he moved throughout the kitchen. The way the muscles bunched beneath his shirt. He hadn’t shaved, so he was sporting a short beard, and although she had never been attracted to men with them before, on him it was absolutely mouthwatering.
She had already decided that if he came to her she would accept, and if he didn’t it would be heartbreaking, but she would move on.
She had already spent two years of her life pining after a man who would never truly love her; she’d be damned if she did it again.
“Any news?” Harley asked Gerry as he finished putting everything away.
Gerry nodded and took a seat at the table. “Obviously they are still looking for the two of you, seeing as you’re here. Other than that, they found the bodies of two men who they believed aided you. Now they are liking the two of you for their murders as well.”
“Did they say names?”
“Edwin Marshal and Zeke Lang.”
“The other two agents who were with me that night. They were part of my private team and didn’t have much interaction with Tom.” He turned away from them with his fists clenched and tried to fight for control over his anger.
They had been good men, ex-military, and while neither were married, they had very serious girlfriends. Now those women were going to believe the men they loved had been criminals. Just like Norah felt now, only theirs were innocent.
“I’m sorry, Harley,” Gerry said softly.
“We have to stop them.” Norah winced when Harley turned around, anger plastered all over his face.
“You think I don’t know that, Norah? Believe me, I know that damn well better than just about anybody, but I haven’t the faintest idea as to how we can stop them without ending up in body bags. If you do, then please enlighten me.”
“Not what I meant, Harley,” she growled back.
Harley turned and stormed out of the house. She started to follow but decided to take a seat next to Gerry.
“Well, that was awkward,” he said, and she snorted out a laugh which earned her a smile from him.
“Sorry, Gerry.”
“No need to apologize, Norah. He is wound up tighter than a top. What’s been going on here this last week?” He looked at her innocently enough, but she knew what he was fishing for.
“Well, to be frank, he kissed me, twice, and then walked away. I told him that he had damn well better figure out what he wants and that I would do the same.”
“Whew!” he said, and slapped his hand on the table. “Atta girl.”
She smiled. Gerry could brighten up any situation, it seemed. Although she had the sneaking suspicion there was more to him then met the eye.
“I have to say, Gerry, even though this whole situation sucks, I am so glad to have met you.”
“And I you. You have no idea how happy I am to have met you.” He covered her hand with his. “I need to head back. You keep that boy in check.”
“I’ll try.”
“I know you will.” He smiled and she hugged him.
* * *
HARLEY COULDN’T BELIEVE he had reacted that way. He had no right to blow up on her. He knew she had just as much as a right to want this over as he did, but she had caught him off guard with her comment. It was his fault Edwin and Zeke were dead. He had asked them to accompany him to that banquet.
“I’m headed out,” Gerry said, pulling him from his thoughts.
“I’m sorry about all that,” Harley said.