The Lawman’s Blackmailed Bride (Billionaire Brothers 3): BBW Romance (4 page)

“
All right,” she murmured, knowing he had a point. If it had been her sister helping someone out, Phoebe wouldn’t mind lending her car or clothes
or panties
to whomever was in trouble. She hoped Garrett felt the same way, despite Cole’s assurances.

She followed him outside. “I’ll put your clothes in my duffel bag.” He held out his hands.

“Thanks.” Self-consciously, she placed her clothes in his grasp and watched him open the trunk and unzip his bag.

“
I’ll drive my SUV into the garage once I’ve taken out Garrett’s.”

Phoebe nodded, watching him stride to the garage. Not for the first time, she was thankful that she’d jumped into his SUV and not somebody else’s. She patted her purse reassuringly. Once they arrived in Jackson Hole, she was sure that everything would be okay.

Phoebe clambered into the passenger seat, grateful to be wearing the comfortable capris and hoping Maddie wouldn’t mind when she came back from her honeymoon and found out about the borrowed clothes.

The sound of the driver’s door opening pulled her out of her thoughts. Cole flashed a grin at her as he fastened his seat belt. “Let’s go.” He turned on the ignition, and Phoebe noticed how luxurious Garrett’s vehicle was. In fact, in that regard it seemed remarkably similar to Cole’s. Both the ranching and PI business must pay well, she mused.

Once they were back on the highway, Cole kept just under the speed limit. The miles passed by, and her eyelids drooped. Telling herself she would only rest her eyes for a minute, the next thing she experienced was Cole’s touch on her shoulder, gently shaking her awake.

Phoebe blinked. “Where are we?” She heard her sleep-thickened voice and tried to clear it.

“On the outskirts of Rock Springs.” He stretched, and she realized he might be just as tired as she was, especially since he’d done all the driving.

Glancing out of the window into the darkness, she made out the shapes of small cabins off the highway. Golden lights winked from some of the windows, while a red and blue neon Vacancy sign hung neatly in the window of the office.

“I’d offer to take over but I can’t drive a stick.” She offered him a wry smile.

“
Don’t worry about it.” He studied her face for a moment, and she realized that although he’d stopped the car, the soft internal light illuminated the interior of the SUV. “You look beat. We’ll stop here for the rest of the night and leave first thing in the morning.”

“
Okay,” she agreed softly.

“
Stay here while I see about a room.”

She nodded and watched him stride over to the tiny office next to the cabins, admiring the way his jeans and t-shirt outlined his lean, muscular frame.

A few minutes later, Cole jumped into the driver’s seat. “All set.” He held out a key to her. “Number six. It was the only room left.”

Phoebe gazed at the key chain shaped like a log. She hoped there was plenty of hot water. Taking a shower would feel wonderful right now.

Seconds later, Cole parked outside a small log cabin. The SUV’s headlights illuminated a miniature version of his own house. A tiny porch with a rocking chair completed the homey picture.

They stepped inside the cabin. Cole flicked a switch and warm golden light flooded the room. An inviting double bed adorned with a floral bedspread and plumped up pillows occupied the center of the room. A small wooden table with two matching chairs decorated the “kitchen” area. She spied a coffeemaker next to the sink, and a tiny refrigerator.

“There’s only one bed.” Her eyes kept returning to that particular item of furniture.

Cole shrugged. “It’s no big deal. I’ll sleep on the floor.”

Phoebe swung her gaze to his. “You can’t! I mean - that’s not fair.” Feeling her cheeks heat, she wasn’t sure what she was saying. Except that the two of them and one bed did not compute. At all.

“
Are you saying you want to share the bed?” He flashed her a wolfish grin.

“
No!” Hearing herself screech, she softened her tone. “I don’t mind sleeping on the floor. You’re doing all the driving so you should have the bed.”

“
No can do, sweetheart.” He shook his head. “You take the bed.”

“
But--”

“
We’re not going to argue about this,” he said firmly. “Do you want a shower first?”

Blinking at the rapid change of subject, she nodded. “Please.”

Cole gestured to the bathroom door. “All yours.”

Phoebe hurried into the bathroom, still clutching her purse. Only when she’d locked the door and undressed did she remember that she didn’t have anything else to wear, besides her travel-stained clothes in Cole’s duffel bag.

Grumbling at her lack of foresight, she turned on the hot water. Although small, the cream colored bathroom seemed clean and well-equipped. The shower stall boasted tiny bottles of shampoo, conditioner and a wrapped bar of soap. White hand towels, bath towels, and two face cloths meant she would be able to wash and dry herself thoroughly. Stepping into the shower, she told herself she’d deal with her wardrobe dilemma later.

Phoebe savored the warm water for a couple of minutes, before rinsing out her bra and panties, hoping they would dry by morning. As she washed herself, her thoughts wandered to Cole. She wished she could be a fly on the wall when he took his shower. Now that would be a sight to see.

Reluctantly turning off the shower taps, she briskly dried herself, then tugged Maddie’s clothes back on, including the pair of panties stowed in her purse. The alternative was to saunter into the bedroom with a towel around her that struggled to contain her curves, and she wasn’t ready for that. Her shoulders sagged. Cole wouldn’t be ready for that either.

She draped her wet lingerie over the furthest towel rail, hoping Cole wouldn’t notice. She definitely didn’t want him to see what size she wore.

Walking out of the bathroom with her purse, she pasted a smile on her face. “Finished.”

“
Thanks.” Cole rose from the wooden chair and grabbed his duffel bag, pausing as she walked further into the room. His gaze narrowed in on her chest for a second, before he seemed to recover himself and headed into the bathroom. Only when she looked down at her chest did she remember she wasn’t wearing a bra.

Phoebe bit back a smile. Maybe Cole wasn’t so impervious to her after all. Feeling encouraged, she hopped into the bed, wishing she’d had the foresight to borrow a bra from Maddie as well. But at the time, she thought they’d arrive in Jackson late tonight, get everything straightened out tomorrow, and get back to Cheyenne tomorrow night. Now, that time line just seemed a hopeful dream.

***

Cole entered the tiny bathroom, scanning the interior. Plenty of towels and soap. Good. Then he spotted pale pink lingerie on one of the towel rails. They had to be Phoebe’s. He groaned, remembering how she’d looked a minute ago, coming out of the bathroom. Dark blue pants. Pale blue t-shirt. And no bra. Even through the cotton fabric of her shirt, her breasts looked like they would be ripe and luscious. He wondered what it would be like to touch them, taste them.

A muscle clenched in his jaw as he told himself to get a grip. She was his client.
Nothing more.
When all this was over, they’d go their separate ways. Him to his fishing, hanging out now and then with his brothers, and helping people. And Phoebe would go back to … He frowned. He didn’t know what Phoebe did in her regular life, besides working for a jerk in an antiques store. Maybe he should find out more about her. Just to make sure she’d be okay when all this was over. Her parents were thousands of miles away and her sister lived in New York. And it didn’t look like she’d be able to go back to the antiques store, anyway. Once all this was straightened out, her boss would either fire her or be arrested. Probably both. She’d need a new job.

He grinned. Although he always maintained he didn’t need an assistant, he could definitely make an exception for Phoebe.

Phoebe Lan-- - and he was determined to find out her last name - wasn’t his first one dollar per hour client. But he’d never had a client as attractive as her. And he’d never entertained
thoughts
about any of his clients before, either.

Hot needles of water sprayed over the planes of his body. Although he knew he should turn the temperature down to freezing, he indulged himself, letting the warm water wash away the grime of the day. Then, when he was almost finished, he twisted the cold tap hard, reminding himself why he refused to share the bed with her. Because right now, he wanted her too much.

***

Phoebe snuggled under the covers. Even in summer, the nights were cold in Wyoming. She’d almost fallen asleep when she’d registered the sound of the water shutting off. Although she felt guilty that Cole was sleeping on the floor, she didn’t think she was brave enough to share the bed with him, even if it would be purely platonic. What if she rolled over in the middle of the night, and her unconfined
breasts landed against his chest? What if they woke up at the same time, and somehow, while asleep, she’d plastered her body against his? No, it was too risky.

She tensed, waiting for Cole to walk into the room. Would he wear jeans and a t-shirt? Or would he be shirtless? Excitement rippled through her at the thought of seeing his bare chest. Even through his clothes, he looked like he was in good shape. Would he--

The bathroom door opened. Her eyes flashed toward Cole, stepping
into the room. Darn. He had a black t-shirt on, and dark blue jeans. Chiding herself for her wayward thoughts, Phoebe allowed her eyes to feast on him for one more second, before feigning nonchalance.

“
Are you sure you’ll be okay on the floor?” She sat up, keeping the covers
close to her chest.

“
I’m sure.” He opened the narrow closet in the corner and pulled out a couple of blankets. “I’ll be fine sleeping on this.”

She tugged at the pillows on the empty side of the bed and pushed them towards the foot of the bed. “Here.”

“Thanks.” His smile softened his gruff tone. He laid out the blanket on the carpet next to the empty side of the bed and grabbed the pillows. “I’ve set the alarm for six. We should leave ASAP.”

“
Okay,” she replied softly, barely registering his words, too busy watching his economical movements. She didn’t think she’d get a wink of sleep tonight, now Cole was back in the room with her.
Even if he was sleeping on the floor.

She waited until he was settled on the carpet, then turned off the bedside lamp. “Goodnight,” she said softly.

“Night.”

In the darkness, everything sounded different.  Phoebe listened to the soft hum of the refrigerator, and the distant buzzing of cicadas. She closed her eyes, waiting for sleep to claim her. Instead, she was hyper-aware of Cole lying on the floor nearby. Somehow, her senses were attuned to his every movement, even his steady breathing.

Don’t be crazy,
she scolded herself.
How can you hear his breathing when he’s not even lying beside you?
But she couldn’t stop thinking about the man right there, just a foot away. What would it be like to kiss him? A hot, passionate kiss that would curl her toes? What would it be like to touch him, caress him?
Make love with him?

Curling her hands into fists, she told herself to calm down. Breathing slowly and steadily, she told herself to relax. She needed to be in good shape for tomorrow. Phoebe rolled over and lay on her side, facing the empty side of the bed.
Cole’s side.
Don’t think about that, she told herself, keeping her eyes shut. Just go to sleep.

***

The harsh buzz of the alarm infiltrated the sensation of Cole’s lips on hers. She burrowed under the covers, trying to refocus on the lucid dream kiss and shutting out the brain-jarring noise.

“
Phoebe.” A hand gently shook her shoulder. “Time to get up.”

Blearily opening her eyes, she stared up at Cole. Yesterday’s three o’clock shadow had turned into attractive stubble. How on earth did he look so good at the crack of dawn? She could only imagine what a mess she looked. Although she’d willed herself to sleep last night, she’d tossed and turned a couple of times, before getting in a few solid hours.

“You can have the bathroom.” He sounded amused.

Did she really look that bad? Opening her eyes wider, she saw that he wore the same clothes he’d slept in. Her hand struggled up through the covers to stifle a yawn. “Okay.”

“I’ll put the coffee on. We can grab something for breakfast on the way.”

She watched him walk over to the coffeemaker. Pushing back the blankets, she got out of bed and padded to the bathroom. Shutting the door firmly behind her, she looked at herself in the mirror. Yikes! She definitely had bed hair. And not the sexy, slightly tousled kind of bed hair either.

Phoebe quickly washed her face, undressed, put on her dry lingerie, then donned her borrowed capris and t-shirt once more. Raking her fingers through her tangled locks, she hoped Cole wouldn’t take one good look at her and run screaming from the room.