Page 59 of Too Hot to Sleep
"What, Georgia?"
"There was one night when I thought Rob was going to tell me that he loved me, and I got all panicky."
"You meanKenwas going to tell you."
"Well, at the time I thought it was Rob."
"So why did you get all panicky?"
She swallowed a mouthful of spiked lemonade. "Because... I suppose I knew that I didn't love Rob."
"Because?"
"Because..." She glanced at her friend and sighed. "Because I was falling for Ken."
Toni squeezed her hand. "Then don't you see? This is perfect! He likes you, and you like him."
She shook her head and groaned. "But how could I? I barely know the man."
"So? You knew Rob for ten months and that didn't help. You didn't even know he had a criminal record, for heaven's sake."
But Ken probably did, which could explain why he'd kept asking her about her relationship with Rob. She frowned. There was something honorable buried in the fact that he could've told her, but hadn't, although she couldn't sort it all out at the moment.
"But the man played me for a fool. He knows things about me. Private things."
"And you know private things about him."
True, she conceded. And some deep part of her was slightly relieved that at least a third man hadn't been involved in her web of lust. At least she'd had phone sex with a man that she—what?
Cared about? Maybe.
But trusted? Never.
Chapter 24
KEN STOPPEDin front of the E.R. doors to County Hospital and rubbed his scratchy eyes. He hadn't gotten a wink of sleep last night, worrying about Georgia, stewing in the misery of what he'd done to her.
Interspersed among the despair, of course, were more positive images. Of her at the mall, flustered after their encounter, laden with shopping bags. Of her taking his blood, then goading him into rallying his buddies for a good cause. Of their kiss in the park, when she'd tasted like sweet relish and fresh air. Of her running through the church parking lot in that filmy blue dress. Of her sitting on the floor of his living room, playing with Crash. Of their frenzied lovemaking in the dark closet. Of the light of possibilities in her amazing blue eyes when she'd come to the station yesterday seeking his help, never imagining he was the guilty party. Some superhero.
Last night had crawled by, and since Franks had fixed the air conditioning unit, he couldn't blame the temperature. But he'd discovered that the fires of regret could be just as hot as the Southern sun.
Ken took a deep breath for courage. He simply had to see her again, and although he knew her address, he didn't feel comfortable going to her apartment. The woman was already spooked. And the fact that Rob Trainer hadn't contacted him probably meant she hadn't told her boyfriend the truth, which made him feel even worse.
The doors opened automatically, and he walked inside, panning the area for a glimpse of Georgia. His heart pounded in his ears.
"May I help you, Officer?" a woman at the admissions desk asked.
"Nurse Georgia Adams—is she working today?"
The woman pointed behind him.
Ken turned to see Georgia staring at him, hugging herself. At the sight of her sad, heavy eyes, he practically tore the hat he was holding in two. After a hard swallow, he walked toward her and stopped. "Georgia—"
"Why are you here?"
Mindful of the ears all around them, he grasped at the only straw at his disposal. "To have you check my blood pressure." He took the fact that she didn't throw something at him as a good sign and added, "Just as you ordered."
"Anyone can take it," she murmured.
