While showing them the area, Sahara had said with a completely straight face that the couch would fold out to a bed if they needed it.
For certain, Sahara was aware of their intimacy, Cat had no doubts about that. Did she think Leese was too furious with Cat to sleep with her?
Maybe she only wanted deniability in case it all fell apart. Regardless of Sahara’s reasoning, Cat had no intention of sleeping alone. She needed Leese tonight, and by God, he’d hold her and make her feel safe, even if it was only a temporary ruse.
She found fluffy towels, a variety of toiletries—including new toothbrushes—and basic OTC medicines in the bathroom. Rather than shampoo it, she pinned up her hair, then lingered under the hot water longer than necessary.
Once she’d dressed in the borrowed flannel pajamas, which were so long she’d had to roll up the legs to keep from tripping on them, Cat went looking for Leese.
She found him standing at the back doors, arms at his sides, staring out at the yard. He’d removed his shirt and shoes and wore only his slacks.
Beard shadow darkened his face and his mussed hair looked shaggier than usual.
He was so gorgeous, it made her ache.
“Leese.”
He turned, his gaze cutting over her, leaving her feeling small and, damn it, alone.
The stark white bandage on his side drew her attention, reminding her once again of the near-death experience.
Leese said nothing.
In an agony of suspense, Cat asked, “Are you ready for bed?”
After far too long, he nodded, but said, “I need to brush my teeth. You’re shivering. Go ahead and get under the covers.”
So he could sidle off to the couch? She wouldn’t let him. Lifting her chin, she asked, “Which side do you want?”
As he passed her, he said, “Long as I’m close to you, it doesn’t matter.”
Relief almost took out Cat’s knees. He still sounded angry, true, but at least he wasn’t completely rejecting her.
Heart thumping, she stood there until she heard the water come on.
With renewed energy, she stalked after him. Damn it, he wasn’t the only one who’d been through an ordeal. She was pretty damned upset too. If she’d been given a choice, she’d have gladly taken the bullet for him. But no, he had to play macho protector. He was the one who’d made her hide behind the bed.
And hadn’t she offered to go to Tesh to keep him safe? What did he think, that the idea of being at Tesh’s mercy didn’t scare her near to death? Did he think that once Tesh turned her over to the senator, she didn’t know exactly what would happen to her?
She’d been running for nearly two months because she didn’t have any illusions at all.
She’d be dead. Period.
He refused to let her end this, so he could damn well start being nice again.
When she pushed open the bathroom door, Leese glanced at her. He had a toothbrush in his mouth, and he’d stripped down to his boxers. The fluorescent light gleamed over his shoulders and those boxers...well, they fit him well, hugging his tight butt, snug over his strong thighs and cradling his heavy sex.
She opened her mouth, but wow. How could she be coherent when he looked like that?
He rinsed his mouth and, drying his face with a hand towel, straightened before her. “Something wrong?”
She almost laughed. What wasn’t wrong?
He lifted a brow, waiting. The man had the patience of a big cat stalking prey.
“You,” she huffed, once she remembered why she’d stormed after him. “I’m sorry you got shot, I really am. But I told you it was dangerous and—”
“It’s a far sight from just dangerous, now isn’t it?” He stepped around her and headed to the bed.
“Yes,” she snapped behind him. “I’d say it’s downright lethal, because the senator wants me dead.”
His back to her, Leese halted, stiffened. His hands flexed into fists.
Cat tried to catch her breath, but it all came boiling up, all the worry and fear and anxiety.
The awful, miserable guilt.
“I wanted to spare you, Leese. From that very first day, I offered to walk away.”
He spun around, temper spiked, expression livid. “You aren’t going anywhere.”
His tone sort of stole her breath away. “That’s not what I’m saying.” Taking a second to collect herself, she inched closer to him. “I’m trying to be reasonable.”
Leese laughed, then ran a hand over his face.
“Stop that!” Cat tripped over the long pants when she rushed up to him. “I hate that you got hurt. I never, ever meant for that to happen. It’s just...” Her composure fractured. “Being with you has been so wonderful. I wanted to just pretend the rest of the world didn’t exist. Maybe Webb’s right about that much. I do avoid the real world whenever I can.”
Slowly Leese raised a hand to cradle the side of her face. “He’s not right about anything. You’re as down-to-earth and real as a person gets. But this mess...”
“I know,” she whispered, leaning into him now that he’d softened. “There isn’t a solution.”
“Sahara has a plan.”
“We both know it won’t solve anything. Men like Platt are untouchable and monsters like Tesh get immunity through association.” She hated to say it because she didn’t want him angry again. “The only thing I can think to do is go.”
Leese lifted her, laid her on the bed, then settled over her. “You promised to trust me.”
“No. I promised not to lie to you.”
Exasperated, he put his forehead to hers. “All right. Then promise me right now that you’ll trust me too.”
“I do.” With Leese covering her, sheltering her, she could almost push away the demons of reality. “I think I always have.”
“Good. We’re making progress.” He gently kissed her lower lip, then the upper, before settling his mouth over hers, tasting her deeply, teasing with his tongue and filling her with need.
When he ended the kiss, he smiled at her. “Now swear to me you won’t go anywhere without me.”
Carefully, Cat slipped her hand down his side to the padded bandage. “You were hurt because of me.”
“I’d die for you.”
Her breath caught, her heart racing. She didn’t want that, not ever. “Leese...”
“I’m your bodyguard. No one is getting past me.”
So...that hadn’t been a declaration of his feelings. On a roller-coaster ride of emotions, she closed her eyes and sighed.
Leese cupped her breasts, regaining her attention real fast. “Flannel,” he murmured, moving his thumbs over her. “I like it.”
“They’re Sahara’s.”
“I know.”
“I’m going commando.”
He laughed. “That’ll make things easier.”
How could he laugh after everything that had happened? “I mean, I don’t mind borrowing pajamas—”
“I understand.” He unbuttoned the top two buttons on the pajama top and nuzzled her cleavage. “Cat?”
“Hmm?”
Through the material, he closed his teeth around her left nipple and gave a gentle tug. When she clenched around him and groaned, he said, “Promise me.”
“Leese...”
He took her mouth again, the kiss rough and hot and demanding. “Tomorrow I need to head over to the agency.”