Harlequin Romantic Suspense April 2021 by Karen Whiddon (good e books to read txt) 📗

By the time she emerged, hair still damp, he’d put together a skillet of scrambled eggs, made toast and fried up some turkey bacon.

“Wow!” she exclaimed, taking a seat as he poured her a glass of orange juice. “This all looks awesome. When did you learn to cook?”

Pleased, he lifted one shoulder. “I picked it up a little bit here and there over time.”

Making little sounds of pleasure, she devoured her breakfast, her dog lying under the table, gazing up at her hopefully. Micha ate quickly, too, unable to keep from watching her eat, wondering if she knew there was something sensual in the unabashed pleasure she took from the food.

When she finally pushed away her plate, he eyed her. More than anything he wanted to take her back to her bed and coax a response from her body. He couldn’t believe he was once again turned on, even after making love this morning and the night before.

She picked up on the heat in his gaze and shook her head. “I know what you’re thinking and I can’t. I’ve got to be on time for work.”

He didn’t try to hide his regret. “Too bad. Is there any way you can take a day off?”

“Just so we can go back to bed?” She laughed. “I’m flattered, but...”

“More than that.” He spread his hands, still hopeful. “I’m hoping to buy a new Jeep today, plus I’ve got to get to the car rental place and file an insurance claim. All of that would be a lot more enjoyable if you came with me.”

“A new Jeep?” she asked. “Let me guess. Jeep Wrangler?”

Her response made him grin. “Yep. How’d you know?”

Now her expression stilled. Her gaze skittered away before she raised her chin and looked at him again. “When I used to dream about our life together once we were married, I always pictured you driving a Jeep Wrangler. Silly, I know. But it just seemed to suit you.”

Touched, he nodded, unsure if he should try to force words past the lump in his throat.

Luckily, Carly didn’t seem to notice. “Anyway, I’d love to take a day off,” she told him, drinking the last of her juice. “But I can’t. I’d have to find someone to cover my shift and it’s too short of a notice. Working with the littles in the NICU, it’s imperative to have enough nurses on the floor.”

Though disappointed, her response made him love her even more, if such a thing was possible. Carly had been born to be a pediatric nurse. Her caring, nurturing nature guaranteed she’d been good at it. “I understand. Is it all right if I use your car to take care of everything?”

“Ahh, now we get to the real reason you wanted me to take off.” Her teasing tone let him know she didn’t mean it. “But yes, you can use my car. Just don’t let it—and you—get blown up.” Though she smiled as she spoke, he could tell she was serious.

“I won’t take my eyes off it,” he promised. “I’ll run my errands after I stand guard outside the hospital for a bit.”

“Guard outside?”

“Yes. I want to see if anyone tries to mess with your car. If so, I can catch them red-handed.”

With a sigh, she grimaced. “Be careful, okay?”

Touched by her concern, he promised he would.

He had her drive to work while he sat in the passenger seat, making no effort to hide. She parked in the covered parking garage. After turning off the ignition, she sat for a moment. “Now what?” she asked, checking her watch. “I can’t be late.”

He leaned over and kissed her cheek, inhaling the lightly floral scent of her. “Give me the keys. Then we’ll both go inside.”

“You will? I thought you were going to watch my car. How are you planning to do that?”

“Because after I go inside with you, I’ll stand just inside the entrance. If someone is watching with the idea of planting another bomb, I’ll see them.”

She shivered. “I don’t like that,” she said, dropping the keys into his hands. “Do you really think that same person will do that again?”

“You never know,” he replied. “It depends on how determined they are to get their target. Either me or you. You should be safe inside at work. And if anyone tries to mess with your vehicle, I’ll catch them red-handed. I’ll give it a few minutes. If nothing happens, I’ll go talk to the police and the car rental agency, and maybe swing by the dealership. I’ll be back in time to pick you up when your shift is over. Just don’t go outside until I come get you.”

Though she agreed, she grimaced, her expression troubled. “I don’t like not feeling safe,” she said. “And I hate having to worry about you, too.”

He kissed her again, this time a gentle press of his lips on hers. “We’ll all be fine,” he promised with an assurance he didn’t have to fake. “We’ve got Chicago PD, the FBI and my friends in special forces working on this. It won’t be long until this guy is caught.”

Appearing unconvinced, she nodded and then got out of the car. “I’ve got to go. I don’t want to be late.”

He walked just inside the automatic doors with her, watching until she entered an elevator. From inside here, he had a clear view of her car and anyone who went near it.

Though he watched and waited for thirty minutes, nothing happened. Finally, he walked back outside and got into her vehicle. He couldn’t help but brace himself as he started the ignition, half expecting to hear that familiar click before being blown to bits.

Instead, the engine started just fine. Glancing around him, he saw nothing out of the ordinary so he backed out of the parking spot and headed toward the car dealership he’d visited yesterday when they’d been closed.

Once he arrived, he parked and walked inside, pretending to inspect the vehicles on display in