Page 71 of Her Hidden Smile

He tangled his fingers in my hair and pulled me in for a long kiss. “I think I know something else that can wake you up,” he murmured.

“Honey, that just puts me in la-la land. I can’t function, let alone get dressed. Let’s save that until after breakfast.”

I watched as he frowned.

“What?”

“We’ll talk after breakfast.”

“No, tell me now.”

He slipped out of bed and held out his hand. “Shower, then strawberry waffles, then talk.”

My gut clenched. “Are you leaving again?” I hated the wobble in my voice.

“No, Cariña. I promise. I told you, I’m here. I’m sticking.”

I put my hand in his and let him pull me out of bed. Then he kissed the inside of my wrist. I felt myself melt. There was something about that kiss, that was so sensual, so intimate, so Renzo. I swayed against him.

“None of that. Get your fine ass into the shower, then get out into the kitchen. How do you take your coffee?”

“Half cream, half coffee and plenty of sugar.”

“My God, woman. Have you had your blood tested for diabetes? High cholesterol? How do you get to the doctor?”

I pursed my lips. “Doc Evans comes here. I’m healthy as a horse.” I never really liked his visits, but Dr. Rose insisted.

He brushed his nose against mine. “Well, good. Now get a move on.”

Chapter Seventeen

“What do you mean, someone tried to break into my house?”

She was having trouble breathing. I could tell she was on her way to a panic attack, but she was doing her best to fight it off.

“Easy, baby.” I stroked my fingers down her throat. “Take deep, slow breaths for me. Can you do that?”

She nodded.

We were sitting on her couch and I had my arm around her. “Sheriff Rivers was impressed by your locks. He said that any burglar would have a hell of a time getting in.”

“But why me?” she gasped.

“Nash thought it was because you’re out of town and isolated.”

“But wouldn’t my fence be a deterrent? When I had it put in, the contractor said nobody else had anything like it in Jasper Creek.”

“Actually, Nash thought that it might have made you more of a target. Somebody might think you have more to steal.”

Tears shimmered in her eyes. “But I don’t. I don’t even have any cash. I do all of my purchasing through on-line banking. All any burglar could get would be a TV and computer. That’s all I have of value.”

She pressed closer to me, and I loved it. Having her come to me for reassurance was everything I could have hoped for.

“I have another theory; I think somebody was after me.”

“Why would somebody be after you?”

“I told you that I was out tracking someone. Well, it’s Junior Wylie. He’s been running his daddy’s plumbing supply business for the last few years. He’s pulled some shady shit, and I need some information from him.”