Sauntering into the kitchen, she stopped short at the sight of Hunter sitting at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee, working a crossword puzzle. Not asleep, then. Her mouth went dry.
He wore a tight white T-shirt that fit his muscular chest like a glove.
“Morning.” Glancing up at her, he smiled, clearly oblivious as to his effect on her.
“Good morning,” she chirped, wincing at her overly bright tone. She busied herself making a cup of coffee, and while it brewed, she wondered what—if anything—she should eat for breakfast. No matter how many times he told her to make herself at home, she still didn’t feel entirely comfortable raiding Hunter’s refrigerator in front of him. And something smelled wonderful, though she wasn’t sure what, exactly.
Goose immediately came over and leaned against her leg. She bent down and spent a moment making a fuss over the dog. “There’s the beautiful girl,” she crooned. “How’s sweet Goose today?”
When she finally looked up, she caught Hunter watching her with a strange look on his face.
“She’s a good dog,” she said, straightening and trying not to feel self-conscious.
“Yes, she is.” He dragged a hand through his hair. If anything, the ruffled look made him even sexier. “Are you hungry?” he asked. “I went out earlier and picked up some kolaches and sausage rolls.” He gestured at a white box sitting on the counter.
Grateful, she smiled. “That’s what I was smelling. And yes, I’d love some, thanks. I’m a little nervous and a whole lot excited.”
He studied her while she grabbed a plate, a couple of the sausage rolls and one fruit-filled pastry.
“You’re a natural,” he told her, gesturing at Goose, whose attention had shifted from Layla to the food.
Warmth filled her at his kind words. For the first time since he’d declared himself off-limits, hope filled her. Maybe they could do this friend thing. Once she trained herself to stop wanting him, that is.
“Glad you’re enjoying those,” he commented, helping himself to a sausage roll.
“Oh, I am. If I keep eating like this, I won’t be able to fit into my clothes,” she said after finishing her entire plate. “As it is, I need to squeeze in a couple of workouts.”
“Not hardly.” Again, the warmth in his gaze made her body respond in kind. “A few extra pounds would hardly hurt you.”
Not sure if he was teasing, especially since her father continually harped on how much weight she needed to lose, she simply shrugged and took a sip of coffee. “Ahh.” She gave a satisfied hum. “The first taste of coffee in the morning is always the best.” Next, unable to help herself, she went for seconds, taking another sausage roll and one more kolache. “These are amazing,” she told him, refusing to apologize as she bit into her treats. Again, she made a sound of pleasure, eating it slowly and savoring every bite before starting on the pastry.
It wasn’t until she’d devoured everything, washing it down with coffee, that she looked up to realize Hunter still watched her, the expression on his face intense.
“Do you realize,” he rasped, “how sexy you are when you eat?”
Again, a blast of heat filled her. Desire, longing and a sense of being too close to losing control. Trouble, she told herself. Best to cut it off immediately.
“Funny,” she responded, managing to laugh off his words. “Especially since you said sexy was off the table.” She pushed to her feet, finishing off her coffee. “Anyway, thanks for breakfast. I’ve got to get running. I don’t want to be late the first day.”
As she sailed off to her room to retrieve her purse and the rental car keys, she wondered if staying with Hunter was even going to work. Maybe she’d need to consider an alternative, like a hotel. But she knew she wouldn’t be safe. Even if she were, she wouldn’t feel safe without him.
So there was that. She’d much prefer to stay here for as long as he’d have her.
They were both adults. Surely they could figure out a way to coexist. Right?
Arriving at the K9 training center, she parked. Telling herself to calm down, she exited the car and went inside.
The first thing she noticed was the noise. Dogs barking, people talking and the whirr of some kind of machine that might have been a vacuum.
“Can I help you?” an older woman asked, her tone pleasant.
“I’m looking for Sarah Danvers,” Layla replied.
“That would be me. And you must be Layla Colton.” Smiling, Sarah studied her. “I’m very happy to meet you. Some of the other trainers have told me you were instrumental in keeping funding going for this place.”
Relaxing slightly, Layla nodded. “The K9 training center has always been important to me. I’m glad to see it’s doing so well.”
Sarah led the way to a small office. “Yes. We train police and TSA dogs for all over the county. Some of them send pups here to be trained, others simply purchase one of our dogs.”
“I’m eager to help out.” Now inside the office, Layla waited while Sarah closed the door.
“Take a seat,” Sarah invited, going around to the back side of a messy desk. She shoved a few stacks of paper over so she could steeple her hands in front of her. “Now tell me about your experience working with dogs.”
“I have none.”
Sarah’s brows rose. “Interesting. I guess I just assumed...”
“But I love dogs and I’m a fast learner,” Layla interjected. “I work hard, no matter what the task.”
“Even if it’s cleaning out dog runs?” Sarah laughed, though her steady gaze seemed serious.
“Even so. Whatever you need, I’m game.”
“All right then. We appreciate that.” Standing, Sarah started for the door, but she turned before reaching it. “Just a few things. Since you have no experience working with dogs, please don’t make any sudden moves, especially around their faces. If a trainer asks you to do something, do it immediately, no questions asked. I don’t want you or one of our dogs getting hurt. Understand?”
“Understood.” Layla rose and followed the other woman out the door. They left the small reception/office area for a large, covered ring that reminded Layla of an indoor riding arena. Several dogs and handlers worked here, all in separate areas.
Sarah stopped walking, letting Layla take it all in before touching her arm. “I’m going to put you with Clarice Kutchison. She’s not a K9 trainer—she helps with our dogs’ care, the grooming, feeding, exercising and such. I think that would be an excellent place for you to start.”
Smiling, Layla nodded. “I can’t wait.”
* * *
Working the night shift, Hunter’s usual days off had been Monday and Tuesday. Now that he’d be transitioning to a day shift, he still had his Monday off but would report to work on Tuesday. His other day off would probably be Sunday, though specifics still hadn’t been discussed.
Either way would be fine. Living alone, Hunter hadn’t really cared. In fact, on more than one occasion he’d gone up to the station when he hadn’t been scheduled to work.
Not this Monday. Today he planned to work around the house and yard while Layla was at the K9 center. And then he planned to make big pot of spaghetti and Italian sausage, which was one of his specialties, for them to eat once she got home.
Home. While his house had long been his place of refuge, he wondered at how easily Layla seemed to slide into his life, as though she were the puzzle piece he’d long been missing.
This sort of thinking could get a man in trouble. He snorted at himself, and then got busy cleaning the kitchen while washing a load of laundry.
His cell phone rang just as he was about to tackle the bathrooms. Caller ID showed city hall. Which could only mean the mayor was calling him.
Resigned, Hunter answered.
“Where is my daughter?” Fenwick Colton demanded, skipping any pretens
e at pleasantries and cutting straight to the chase. Hunter swore he could detect a hint of panic underneath the bluster in the older man’s voice.
“She’s not here at the moment,” Hunter answered, keeping his tone civil. “I’d be happy to take a message. Or you could simply call her yourself.”
“She hasn’t been answering her phone. I’ve left several messages.” Now the older man didn’t even attempt to hide his desperation. “Is she staying with you?”
“Yes, for her own safety.”
“You are aware that she’s engaged?”
“I am,” Hunter replied. “And you should know that she’s staying in my guest bedroom, alone. In light of the attempt on her life and the break-in at her town house, this seemed the safest bet.”
“Why you?” Fenwick sounded bewildered. “She certainly is welcome to come home. She knows that.”
No way was Hunter going there. Family dynamics needed to stay exactly that—between the family.
“Again, sir, I don’t know what to tell you. I suggest you take it up with Layla.”
Once he’d ended the call, Hunter had to wonder who’d given the mayor his private cell number. If someone from the police department had done such a thing, Hunter would need to address the serious breach in confidentiality. He didn’t care who was asking, be it the mayor or even the governor—personal information should never be revealed without his permission.
Shrugging off his annoyance, he continued to catch up with his household chores, intent on making the most of his day off. Since he started his new day shift tomorrow, he’d forced himself to get up earlier than normal, hopefully to help his system become adjusted to a completely different schedule.
His phone rang again, making him groan out loud. This time caller ID showed Harrington Inc. A bit wary, he answered anyway, hoping it would be Devlin rather than Hamlin.
“I’m prepared to make my offer,” Devlin said, keeping his voice low. “I’m interested in purchasing the entire lot of cards. I can give you—”
“Not over the phone,” Hunter cut in smoothly. “In writing, like I told you.”
“Okay.” The other man barely missed a beat. “What’s your email address? I can’t find it.”
Since Devlin couldn’t see, Hunter rolled his eyes and rattled it off. “Make sure and be specific.”
“Oh. All right.” Though annoyance colored Devlin’s tone, he kept it civil. No sense in ticking off the guy who had what you wanted. “Will you let me know where I stand once all your offers are in? I might be able to raise my bid.”
Hunter let several seconds go by before he answered. “That’s not usually how an auction works. The highest bidder wins.”
“I see. However, I really want those cards. It’s a win-win for you, too, since I guarantee I’ll top any higher bids, as long as you can prove they’re real.”
Again, Hunter shook his head at the other man’s naïveté. For all Devlin knew, Hunter could write up his own bids, each of them higher than Devlin’s, and use them to get more money. Which, if Hunter truly was the type to steal valuable evidence from the evidence locker and sell it at a personal profit, he’d probably do.
“I’ll consider your request,” Hunter finally said. Since he wouldn’t actually be selling the baseball cards, there was no way he could let Devlin win them, no matter how high the bid. He also still needed to fill the chief in on what he’d done.
He ended the call and glared at his phone. He didn’t plan on answering it again unless Layla called. Glancing at his watch, he figured it would be time to start cooking soon. She’d probably be back shortly after five.
The knowledge that he’d see her soon energized him. It shouldn’t, he knew. Better to keep his distance until she figured out what she wanted to do with her life. Until he knew for certain that she wanted him in it, he knew he shouldn’t get too used to her presence.
Nevertheless, picturing her reaction to a home-cooked meal made him grin. He’d never cooked for a woman before, but Layla wasn’t just any woman. She was his houseguest. And as long as he could keep her in that category, he’d be just fine. No danger of losing his heart that way.
* * *
Spending an entire day working with dogs had been pretty damn perfect. At the end of her shift, which had flown by in a completely different way than her days at Colton Energy, Layla felt a pleasant sort of exhaustion.
The dogs had been amazing. Their handlers, too. Her job had been comprised of menial tasks such as feeding and exercising and, to her surprise, playing with them. Apparently, canines also needed to blow off steam. She’d enjoyed that part the most.
Many times during the day, Layla had found herself filled with joy and grinning from ear to ear. That never happened at Colton Energy. And while she knew if a paying position came up here it wouldn’t offer anything close to the salary she currently earned, she’d managed to amass an amazing investment portfolio, as well as significant savings. Having no life outside her job had that particular benefit, at least. The only things she spent money on were necessities like her mortgage and utilities, food and clothing.
Humming under her breath as she exited the building, she practically skipped to her car. She couldn’t wait to tell Hunter about her day. Since he was a dog person, she knew he’d understand.
“Layla.”
Key fob in hand, she froze, cursing herself for not noticing the shiny black Mercedes parked two vehicles down from her. Just like that, her ebullient mood deflated. “Dad. What are you doing here?”
“Chasing you down.” Wearing an expensive, custom-made suit and long overcoat, Fenwick looked as if he’d just finished a photo shoot for a magazine. “Luckily, your sister mentioned she’d seen you up here, so I didn’t have to look too long.”
Her half sister Patience was the K9 training center veterinarian. If her sister hadn’t stopped by to say hi, she must have been very busy with patients. Patience didn’t miss an opportunity to try to talk Layla out of marrying Hamlin.
“Why are you looking for me?” she asked her father. “I told you, I’m on vacation.”
Instead of acknowledging her words, he gestured toward his car. “Do we have to have this conversation in the parking lot? That wind has a bite. Let’s sit inside my car instead.”
Instead of moving, she eyed him. “What conversation? I don’t think there’s anything to discuss. I’m off for this entire week. I just spent the day doing volunteer work here at the training center. I’m exhausted and I’d really like to get home and shower.”
“Home? By that I take it you mean your boyfriend’s house? What are you trying to do, scare Hamlin Harrington off for good? First this thing with Mark Hatton, and now you’re shacking up with a police officer? I raised you better than that.”
Great. It figured her father would manage to completely ruin her day. For once, she wasn’t going to let him demean her or take away her burgeoning self-confidence.
Anger flared, warring with tiredness. “You know what?” she replied, lifting her chin and locking gazes with him. “Maybe we do need to have a talk, after all. But I think it can be right here, in this parking lot, because I don’t think it’s going to take very long.”
Clearly believing he had the upper hand, Fenwick crossed his arms and waited, his arrogant, smug expression begging to be taken down a peg.
“Well?” he demanded when she didn’t immediately speak. “What do you have to say for yourself?”
“I know what you’ve done with Colton Energy’s profits.” She kept her tone crisp and professional, careful to keep any emotion out of it. “I finally went up to accounting and took a look at the books. You’re the reason the company is in trouble. How dare you ask me to marry someone I don’t love to save the company when you’re the one who created the mess to begin with?”
“I’m the owner. I can do whatever I want with the profits my company gene
rates.” His tone indicated he found his response perfectly logical. “You work for me. What I do is none of your concern.”
“It is when you ask me to marry someone to help out our company and don’t reveal the reasons behind the financial difficulties we’re having.”
“The reasons?” He sneered. “Do they really matter?”
Throat tight, she managed to nod. What had she expected, her egotistical father to break down and admit what he’d done, begging for forgiveness? Maybe not, but at the very least, he owed her an explanation. She said as much to him.
“You want an explanation? Fine. The cash flow is messed up. That’s all. Anyway, I’m doing you a favor. Clearly, you’re unable to find a man willing to marry you on your own. This way, we all benefit. You get a wealthy spouse and a second company where you can dabble. And Colton Energy gets a much-needed influx of cash.”
“Dabble?” She could barely get the word out. “Is that what you think I do?”
He flashed an indulgent smile. “Layla, I created your position especially for you. I assure you, Colton Energy has always run just fine without you.”
A furious sort of triumph had her smiling a cold smile. “I see. Then surely you won’t mind if I take a second week off from my unessential position. I might even take a third—maybe even an entire month. I certainly have more than enough unused vacation days built up.”
He knew she had him then. He opened and closed his mouth. Then, narrowing his eyes, he shook his head. “I’m so disappointed in you. Don’t bother to come for Thanksgiving.”
“Thanksgiving?” She’d had more than enough. “Since when have you ever hosted a get-together at any holiday? Last year you were in Grand Cayman. The year before, Punta Cana.”
He shrugged. “You never know. Maybe I decided to stay home this year.”
“Right. Have you? Decided to stay home and serve turkey, I mean.”
At least he had the grace to look ashamed. “No. I’m going to be staying with a few friends at an all-inclusive in Montego Bay.”
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