In the Arms of Danger

SIXTEEN

The acrid scent of burning bacon woke Taylor immediately. She jumped to a sitting position in her queen size bed and blinked. The mixture of blueberry pancakes and smoke tickled her nose and she sneezed.

Good grief! That man would burn down the cabin if she didn't stop him from attempting to make breakfast.

She scrambled out of bed, grabbed her robe and rushed out of the room. Practically flying down the stairs, she shrugged on her robe and tied it at her waist. Just as she'd figured, smoke hung thick in the kitchen. Cory stood by an opened window waving two plates as he ushered the bad air out. He'd already removed the pan from the stove, and the see-through lid covering the crisp, black strips of bacon. She stopped, plopped her hands on her hips and glanced from the still smoking pan to Cory.

"What are you trying to do? Burn down the place?"

"I don't want to hear it, Taylor." He glared at her. "You can't yell at me for trying to help."

Relaxing her stance, she nodded. "You're right. I'm sorry." She moved to the pan and grabbed hold of it.

"What are you going to do?" he asked.

"I'm going outside to dump it."

"Why?"

"Because if it stays in here, it'll leave a stench."

She hurried outside to the dumpster down the dirt pathway and disposed of the bacon, then rushed back inside. Although the sun rose high in the cloudless sky, autumn's cool air still nipped at her skin.

After she re-entered the kitchen, Cory took the pan from her and placed it in the bubble-filled sink. She rubbed her hands up and down her arms while one foot tried warming the other. He glanced at her from his position at the sink... a place she'd never thought to see a man.

With her head c****d, she folded her arms. "Do you know what you're doing?"

He looked at her again. "Why? Am I doing it wrong or something?"

"No, you're doing it right." She chuckled and stepped closer. "It's just...well, I never thought I'd see a man doing the dishes."

He bumped his elbow against hers. "When I make a mess, I know how to clean it up."

She shrugged. "I know alpha-males like you, and they don't do domestic work."

His harsh glare stayed on his face for only a few seconds longer, before it disappeared. He tilted back his head and laughed. The baritone ring caused tingles to dance over her skin. She couldn't stop the grin sneaking its way to her mouth. He was just too cute, especially when the dimples on his cheeks winked at her.

It was then she realized what he wore. A blue and green flannel shirt with the sleeves rolled up to just below his elbows, dark blue jeans, and cowboy boots. She bit her bottom lip to keep from drooling. All he needed was a Stetson and a stallion and he'd be the perfect man in this country setting.

She tore her gaze away from his rugged frame and glanced around the kitchen. "So, besides burning bacon, what else were you trying to do?"

"Make pancakes. I can make that without burning them."

She blinked, not sure she heard him right. "Excuse me?"

He chuckled. "Yes, I'm going to make breakfast."

A smile tugged on her lips and she was helpless to stop it. "That's very nice of you."

His gaze swept over her from head to toe. "You look like you need to climb in the shower this morning."

She scowled. "A gentleman's not supposed to notice that about a woman. If he does, he definitely shouldn't say anything in front of her."

"When have I ever acted like a gentleman?" He smiled and shooed her with his soapy hands. "I'll take care of things down here."

As she walked away, her smile widened, if that were possible. He surprised her in more ways than one, but she couldn't let him take her off guard, again. She had to stay alert and not let him affect her body or her mind, especially the way he'd done last night.

It only took a few more minutes before she stood under the shower spray. The hot water pounded against her face and chest as it eased her stress. Too bad it couldn't erase the memory of last night's kiss. Both times.

The intimacy had been better than she recalled from all those many years ago. His lips so gentle; his hands so exciting. The body he had intimately pressed against hers had more muscles than she'd remembered. Even his sensuality doubled compared to their time in Bermuda.

She was a goner. How could she resist Mr. Macho-stud now?

As she released a heavy sigh, she scrubbed her hands over her face. It didn't matter how much sexier he was, she still must fight the loneliness building in her chest. Since her return from Bermuda, her heart had been hollow. She'd missed the man she had fallen in love with... missed his teasing grin, the way he listened to her every word, and especially the times when he cradled her in his arms for no reason but just to hold her.

She must keep reminding herself Cory Ross was the bad guy, the FBI agent who switched sides, like the horror stories her uncle told her as a child.

Until she talked with Uncle Stephen and could find out the truth to Cory's past, she had to stay on guard. If Cory discovered she knew about his hit-man days, she may be his next target.

The heat from the water cooled quicker than she wanted and she hurried to turn off the shower spray. Chills trickled over her body, not just from the chilly temperatures. Could her life be in danger by being in his presence?

Yeah, in more ways than one.

She opened the sliding glass door and grabbed a towel. The heat from the furnace blew through the vented outlet, but still didn't warm her. Fear mixed with betrayal turned her blood to ice and left a hollow knot in her chest.

As she dressed, her mind scrambled for ways she and Meggie could elude him. Since they were in his vehicle, she pretty much had to go wherever he went. Unless...

She paused before slipping the lavender sweater over her head. What if she waited until he fell asleep? She could grab his keys, collect her daughter and their things, and get out of here.

She frowned. More than likely he'd keep his keys in his Levi's pocket. There was no way she wanted to dig through those, especially with him still in them.

Once dressed, she hurried through her daily routine of applying her makeup and fixing her hair. There had to be some way she could get away. Although her father would be mad, she wasn't about to continue with Cory if she feared he'd hurt her.

With her face all made-up, she turned away from the bathroom cabinet and walked into the bedroom. The cell phone on the bed stand caught her attention.

She could call for help.

But who would she call?

Zack.

He was on her father's side, wasn't he?

She rushed to the phone and flipped it open, staring at the lit numbers. Without another thought, she dialed Zack's cell. The chirping of his phone only sounded three times before a deep voice answered.

"Jacobs here."

She clutched the phone to her ear. The beat of her heart picked up rhythm and tears gathered in her eyes.

"Zack?" she whispered.

Silence from the other end only lasted a few seconds. "Taylor? Is that you?"

"Shhh... Don't say my name aloud, especially if Dad is around."

"He's on the other phone."

She sighed heavily. "Thank heavens."

"What's wrong, doll?"

"I'm...scared."

"Why?"

"Because I don't know about Cory."

"What's happened?"

Her legs shook so she sank on the mattress. "Oh, Zack. I just don't know if he's the bad guy or not. I know he's not the one who tried to kidnap Meggie, and he definitely didn't shoot through the window, but...I still can't trust him."

"Because of the past you won't tell me about?"

She exhaled a deep breath. "Yes. I have good reason to believe he's one of the corrupt FBI agents we hear about all the time from Uncle Stephen. I just don't know whether Cory has changed after all this time."

"Has he touched you? Threatened you?"

Scenes flashed through her memory of last night's kiss. That incredible, very sexy kiss she would never forget. All from the man who tempted her beyond reason.

Had he touched her? Oh heavens, yes!

"No, Zack. He hasn't threatened me in any way. That doesn't mean he won't eventually."

A heavy sigh came from the other end of the phone. "Taylor, what do you want me to do?"

She squeezed her eyes shut, fighting the tears from falling. "I don't know. I just want out of here."

"Impossible. We haven't found your father's stalker yet."

"I know."

"Honey..."

A tear slipped free and ran down her cheek. The man she'd always counted on to get her out of scrapes couldn't help her. She was on her own. "Zack, could you do something for me?"

"Anything within reason."

She bit back a grin. "Could you find more information on Cory's past for me? I need to know..." She swallowed the lump lodged in her throat. "I need to know what he's capable of."

"But Taylor..."

"Zack, please, do this for me?" Her voice broke.

Silence lasted a bit longer this time. She held her breath, praying he'd agree.

A heavy sigh reverberated on the other end. "All right, I'll do it."

Relief flooded through her. The tears she'd been trying to hold back rushed forth. "Thanks, Zack." Her voice shook. "You know I love you, right?"

"Yeah, kiddo. Love you, too." He chuckled. "You will call me if something happens, right?"

"Yes."

"Good. Now go give that beautiful daughter of yours a hug from Uncle Zack."

"I will." She snapped the phone closed and smiled. A small amount of relief swept over her. She could breathe a little easier now.

Was it any wonder she referred to Zack as her over-grown Teddy bear? She grinned. Hopefully, he'd be able to find out something for her.

With Cory so near, could she really be in danger or was just her heart in trouble?