In the Arms of Danger

NINETEEN

Taylor plunged her hands into the soapy water and stared at the suds in the kitchen sink. Dinner had been quiet tonight. Even Meggie didn't talk much, which was strange for a four-year-old, and a lot had been on Taylor's mind. It had unsettled her stomach and made it impossible to eat. She'd stirred the noodles around her plate and speared beef chunks most of the time.

The little episode with Cory earlier had upset Taylor. Of course, lately everything he did left a bad taste in her mouth. But why couldn't her heart stop thumping so wildly whenever they were in each other's arms?

Thank goodness her daughter arrived when she did. Who knows what would have happened if they weren't interrupted. Actually...Taylor did know, and the thought scared her to death, and at the same time, had butterflies bouncing in her belly.

Light laughter floated in from the other room, and she glanced in her daughter's direction. Meggie sat on the floor in front of the television as she played a video game. Not too far behind her sat Cory on the couch. A few papers rested on his lap and he gripped a pen. His focus wasn't on the papers; instead, he watched Meggie as a grin touched his face.

Silently she grumbled. He wasn't supposed to like her daughter.

She didn't want him to like Meggie. She wanted to go back to the way things were a few days ago when she still thought Cory was dead.

A deep chuckle came from Cory and her heart melted. His sexy, baritone voice could make even a nun sigh with happiness.

His gaze bounced up and met hers, and then just as quickly, he looked down at his papers. She didn't dare ask what he was doing. It would probably cause another argument about Zack...which might lead to another kiss.

No. Meggie was awake. It wouldn't happen that way tonight.

She turned away from the handsome man in the front room and back to her dishes. The curtains on the window above the sink were parted, but darkness blanketed the ground and made it impossible to see outside. Even the dark clouds hid the moon, and every so often the wind outside rattled the window.

Too bad. She really wouldn't mind taking a stroll down by the lake tonight. Alone.

As she picked up another dish, the howl of the wind grew in strength, and the window shook harder. Outside, a crack of thunder boomed through air.

"Mommy?"

She glanced over her shoulder at her daughter. "It's all right, sweetie. Just a little storm."

Meggie's smile had disappeared, and her face had turned a shade lighter. Her daughter had always been afraid of thunder and lightning, and on those occasions, Taylor usually spent the night in Meggie's bed.

Cory placed his papers on the coffee table in front of him, stood and walked to Meggie.

"Want some company?"

Her daughter's eyes widened and a smile claimed her face again. "Wanna play?" She held out the game paddle.

"Sure do, but you'll have to teach me how."

Another tug squeezed Taylor's heart. What is he doing? He didn't have a conscience, so then why was he being so sweet and trying to keep Meggie's mind off the storm?

"This game is fishing," Meggie said.

"Fishing? I love to fish."

"Me, too!" Meggie squealed with delight.

"In fact," Cory continued, "I think we should convince your mom to take us fishing tomorrow. What do you think?"

"Oh, yes." Meggie peeked at Taylor over her shoulder. "Can we go? T'morrow? Please?"

Taylor cleared her throat and shrugged. "We'll see how the weather is tomorrow, sweetie."

Cory threw her a frisky glance before returning his focus back on Meggie. Taylor rolled her eyes.

Meggie moved closer to Cory and pointed to the television. "But this is just a game. Not real."

Cory displayed a fun pout. "Do you mean I won't be able to eat the fish once I catch it?"

Meggie giggled and shook her head. "No, silly. Now watch me. I'll show you."

Taylor scowled and turned away from the tender scene. Staring at the almost finished dishes, she fisted her hands. What did Cory think he would accomplish by being nice? Didn't he know how quickly children responded to that kind of affection? And hurt just as quickly when someone broke their heart?

Meggie would certainly have her heart broken, just as Cory had done to Taylor.

After she finished the dishes, she dried her hands on a cloth and hurried into the front room, hoping to keep Cory from crushing her daughter's heart.

Too late.

Meggie sat on Cory's lap while they shared a paddle. Both grinned wide and laughed at the same time. A painful knot twisted in Taylor's stomach. This couldn't happen.

A streak of lightening flashed through the window. Another clap of thunder boomed through the air. The lights flickered. The video game was lost.

Taylor inhaled a deep breath. "Perhaps we should turn off the television. It looks as if the storm is here."

Meggie pouted and squirmed out of Cory's hold. "Please, Mommy? One more game?"

"I really don't think we should, honey. If the power goes out..."

Lightening flashed again and the room went dark. The only light they had was the roaring fire in the hearth. Meggie cried out and barreled against Taylor's legs.

Being in the dark with Cory was definitely not a good thing.

* * * *

Cory stood. "Are there any candles?"

"Yes. Somewhere. I know we have flashlights, but don't ask me where they are now."

"That's okay." He walked to the hearth, knelt on one knee and stirred the logs with the poker. "I think the fire will be all right until the power returns."

She nodded, led Meggie toward the couch and sat. Within minutes, Cory parked his butt right next to her. She bit back the harsh words she wanted to throw at him for not choosing one of the other two chairs in the room.

A heavy sigh escaped him and she arched a brow. "What's wrong? Bored already?"

He turned and looked at her. "Actually, yes." He folded his arms across his muscular chest. "How do you think we could fix that problem?"

She gasped. He wasn't suggesting... Of course he wouldn't. Not with Meggie here.

"I know," Meggie said. "Let's sing songs."

He shrugged and grinned. "Sounds fun, but I don't know any songs."

"I'll teach you."

Immediately, Meggie started singing, pretending like she was helping Cory. He acted thrilled to be playing with her. He joined in, and even did the hand movements with her daughter.

What was his game? Why did he act this way?

Soon the singing died down, and silence took over. They stared at the low burning fire. Taylor stroked her daughter's hair, and within minutes, Meggie laid her head against her shoulder.

Cory left the couch and moved to the fireplace again, stirring the embers. He grabbed another log, tossed it inside, and then stayed by the fire. Whether it was the cozy mood, or Taylor's tired state, his physique looked different to her in the soft light. Shadows danced over his face, his gorgeous appearance took on a whole new meaning and he didn't seem dangerous at all. Why hadn't she noticed the gentle shape of his chin? Or the slight curve of his nose? Even the outline of his lips made her want to sample him one more time...

She closed her eyes to squeeze out his image. The room must be too hot. How could her heart have melted so fast?

Taking deep breaths, she let the popping timber relax her. The wind outside still howled, but the pounding rain on the roof soothed her, and made her want to snuggle up to something warm and fall asleep. Someone with strong arms to hold and protect her. Someone with a tender voice to whisper sweet, soothing words to her.

Someone like Cory.

Taylor breathed deeper and inhaled his intoxicating scent. Spicy. Very stimulating. It wrapped around her as she floated, weightless, into thick pillows and silky sheets, cuddling next to the man of her dreams.

He caressed her. First with his fingers, then his lips followed the trail of fire blazed by his hands. His tenderness was so profound she wanted to weep with happiness.

Then he held her. Close. Cocooned in his arms. Sleep pulled at her as his whispered words of love tickled her nose.

Tickled her nose?

"Taylor. I think we should put Meggie to bed."

Slowly, the fog in her head faded as she raised it from having been buried in Meggie's hair. The scent of firewood and the pitter-patter of rain against the cabin brought her out of her dream. She blinked and tried to focus. Cory's face loomed very near, so near she could brush her cheek against his if she wished.

But she didn't wish. Not ever.

She snapped to awareness and pulled away. He straightened, but his eyes were shadowed with desire. A yearning, so familiar, yet it'd been so long since she'd seen it from him.

She moistened her throat with a hard swallow. "What...what are you doing?"

He nodded to the little girl curled next to her on the couch. "Don't you think we should put Meggie to bed now?"

She glanced at her daughter. Meggie's tiny mouth opened as heavy breaths whooshed in and out. Long, curly eyelashes swept on her cheeks. Taylor resisted caressing her cute little button nose.

Taylor nodded and tried to scoot forward.

"No. Let me."

He handed her a bright flashlight, moved in front of Meggie and slid his arms underneath her tiny body, lifting her against his chest. Taylor jumped off the couch and followed close behind, wanting to demand he put her daughter down, but knowing if she did, the harsh tone to her voice might wake Meggie.

They walked into the bedroom and she hurried ahead to pull down the covers. Cory laid her daughter on the bed; the little girl didn't bat an eyelash. He remained bent over, a tender smile gracing his mouth. Taylor clenched her teeth. No! He couldn't feel this way toward Meggie. Taylor wouldn't let him.

She pulled on his elbow. He glanced over his shoulder at her, and she motioned her head in the direction of the door. Before leaving, Cory slipped off her daughter's shoes and covered her with the quilt.

Waiting outside the door, Taylor tapped her foot, her arms folded across her chest. When Cory walked out and closed the door, she dropped her hands to her sides and curled her fingers around the handle of the flashlight, gripping it tighter. She glared him straight in the eyes.

All he did was arch a brow, the cocky man.

"What do you think you're doing?" she snapped quietly.

"Putting your daughter to bed. Why? What did it look like I was doing?"

"Leave her alone."

"Shhh..." He touched a finger to her lips and she sucked in a quick breath. "You don't want to wake her, do you?"

She growled and marched down the stairs toward the kitchen. His boots clicked on the wooden floor behind her.

"Taylor, I really don't understand what you're squawking about."

As soon as she reached the kitchen, she spun around. "You don't?"

"No."

"Well...I don't understand your motives, either."

He shrugged. "Then we're in agreement. We don't understand each other." A grin sneaked across his lips. "That hasn't changed since we met up in the park."

Ohhh! She could strangle him. Or at least slam her fists against his chest. "You're impossible." She turned back and hurried to the sink for a drink. She gulped the water and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. From her side, a movement drew her attention. The arrogant man leaned his hip against the counter, his arms folded in a casual way as he stared at her. She couldn't read his expression. He looked a cross between wanting to fall asleep and laugh his head off.

Inwardly she seethed that much more. "Would you quit looking at me?"

"I just want to know why you're suddenly so mad?"

In thought, she paused. Why was she so upset? Was it because she could see him softening toward her daughter? Or because she'd awakened from a wonderful dream and realized reality sucked? Because in her dreams she didn't hate him. In her dreams she trusted him...and loved him.

"Because...because I don't want you hurting my daughter."

He c****d his head. "What gave you the impression I'd hurt her?"

Her chest tightened. "You may not hurt her physically, but you will emotionally." She bit her bottom lip once before adding, "Just like you did to me."

She spun around, but his grasp clamped on her shoulders and stopped her. "I think you have events from our past switched around, my dear."

"Let go of me." She yanked her arms, but he held firm.

"Not until we get this out in the open."

Her heart sank. What had she done now? "I don't want to talk about it."

"But I do. We need to talk about what happened between us in Bermuda."

He pulled her up against him and she closed her eyes. His forehead rested against hers, but she refused to look at him. Her quick breaths matched his. But was it anger?

Or desire?

He brushed his lips against her skin. She inhaled a sharp breath. The urge to lift her face and meet his mouth tempted her. No. She couldn't.

No matter how charming and sexy he tried to act, she didn't trust her own heart. Not when she'd seen him shoot a man, and almost try to kill another that same day, along with the other things she'd witnessed. He couldn't be a good person. She would not give herself to him.

She must call Zack. Now. Her heart couldn't take any more.

With all her strength, she pushed against him and stepped back. His eyes darkened again. Desire etched every inch of his face.

She shivered and wrapped her arms around her. "I'm tired now. I'm going to bed."

Bolting up the stairs, she darted to her room before he could follow. Thankfully, he didn't. Her arms and legs shook so much she didn't think she would make it to the bed before collapsing.

She held back the tears as she crawled in bed and hugged a pillow to her chest.

Getting out of here had to be top priority now. She couldn't last another day, or night, with him so close. And another thing of importance was trying to sort out her feelings. This was ridiculous!