If looks could kill, Hank’d be a dead man. He couldn’t help but admire her spirit. Her cheeks flushed a light pink that matched the dress she wore and brought out the green in her eyes. Accentuating her curves, the sheath and matching heels showcased her long legs. He again imagined them wrapped around him. Would they be as soft as they looked? Hank finally lifted his gaze but then struggled to not stare at her chest. As she approached him, Hank held out his hands. Her eyes flashed fire. Her lips pursed tight, she took deep breaths through her nose. Not a casual walk but full-out stomping with her hands clenched at her side. Would he finally taste her lips?
Slap! The sting of her hand on his cheek forced his attention back to the present. “Hey! What was that for?”
“How did you arrange it? Was this all another trap to set me up? Maybe you’ve been behind all my problems since that night in jail.” She turned away and began pacing. Jeannie tugged her phone out of her purse, glanced at it then tossed it to the floor. “Now my damn phone has no signal. What did I do to deserve such horrible karma?”
Hank cautiously approached her. Not wanting to be on the end of another physical blow, he kept his hands up and moved slowly. “Look. I’m not behind anything. Master Draikoh San arranged for me to be here. He said you were in danger. After the fire at your store, I’m inclined to believe him. The hotel jams phone signals in order to protect their guests. Your phone won’t work.”
Jeannie stopped her pacing and stared at him. Hank could almost see the wheels turning in her head. “What danger?”
“He didn’t say.”
Just then the room phone rang, and they both turned toward it. “Do you want me to get it or will you?” Hank questioned.
“I’ll get it. Maybe it’s the hotel concierge explaining the whole mix-up.” Jeannie strode to the phone and picked up the receiver. “Hello…Yes. I’m Jeannie Hall… Oh no—”
The color drained from her face, and she slid toward the floor, the phone dropping from her hand. Hank caught her before she landed, and after laying her gently on the couch, he returned to the phone and lifted the receiver. “Who is this?”
“It’s Sheriff Kane. I’m sorry I upset Miss Hall. Her friend, Cherri Johnson, was taken to the emergency room with a strong neuro toxin in her system. She’s currently in a coma, being treated with the antidote. It appeared to have entered her system through her skin. A neighbor called 911 when he found Miss Johnson in Miss Hall’s driveway. Once we found out what had caused her illness, I sent in CSI to find the culprit. It turns out the toxin was on the red lilies on the kitchen table. You’d better have the hospital check Miss Hall over in case she touched them.”
“Thanks, Kane. I’ll do that. Any information on who was behind this latest threat? Have you learned anymore about the fire?”
“There was another arson attempt at Ms. Hall’s store. We stopped it before any new damage occurred. However, we did catch a break. We obtained an image on the surveillance camera. A single person, small build. We’re trying for some facial recognition, but my gut tells me this is the end of it. The stakes just got higher. I’ll call to update you on anything I have found out. Be careful and watch your back.”
Hanging up the phone, Hank picked up a glass off the bar top and filled it with water. He carried it over to Jeannie then rubbed his palm along her arm. “Jeannie, wake up. Come on, honey.”
When her eyes fluttered, he released the breath he’d been holding. “I’ve got some water here for you.” As her gaze settled on him, he held the glass out toward her. Putting his arm behind her shoulders, he helped her sit up then take a drink.
“Is it true about Cherri?” Her weak voice tugged at his heart.
Hank sat on the edge of the couch next to her. “I’m sorry. Kane believes she’ll pull through, but I need to get you checked out.” Taking the glass from her, he set it on the coffee table. “Who sent you the flowers?”
“I don’t know. I thought it could have been you. The card wasn’t signed.” Her eyes teared up. “Why are you worried about the flowers? Did they have something do to with this?” A single tear rolled down her cheek.
He slid his finger across her cheek, wiping away the droplet. “Did you touch them?” He kept his voice soft and calm.
“No… Maybe.” She scrunched up her forehead. “I felt a petal. I wondered if you’d gotten the flowers because…” Her flush deepened.
“What did you think?” He cupped her cheek and glided his thumb across her mouth. “You can tell me.”
She stared at her feet. Her voice came out as soft as a whisper when she finally answered. “I thought you got them because they matched my lips.”
Hank lowered his face toward hers and captured her mouth as he’d been longing to. Gentle at first. Soft and warm, her lips inviting. A soft moan escaped as he deepened the kiss. His tongue pushed into her mouth, teasing hers. He fisted his hands in her hair, pulling her closer to his chest.
***
Jeannie luxuriated in the warmth of his body as his kiss stole her breath. While she’d experienced a few kisses in her lifetime, none had robbed her of all thought as Hank’s had. Her arms slid around his neck as she pressed her breasts against him. She longed for more…more kisses, more touching, just more from this man.
When he pulled away, she almost cried out in pain. The loss of his lips sent her reeling. She’d been on the edge of a cliff, ready to take the leap when he’d pulled back.
She scrutinized his face. The stubble on his chin and cheeks only made him more handsome, but his eyes held a promise of more to come, sending her stomach flip-flopping.
“As much as I want to stay here with you and explore every inch of your body, I need to make sure you’re okay. Even one touch of a petal could be deadly. Kane suggested a local hospital and said to make sure the doctor on call contacts Kerrville General for toxicology reports as well as the antidote.” He reached out and slid a strand of her hair behind her ear. “I’m not ready to let you go yet. We have the rest of the weekend to get to know each other better.”
He’d made a vow, and she planned to hold him to it.