Page 56 of On the Chase
“What’s wrong?” He peered through the windshield, as if looking for threats.
“Nothing.” When he didn’t relax, she laid a hand on his arm. “Seriously. I was just surprised that, with everything that’s happening, you were able to make me laugh.”
After a moment of eyeing her closely, he eased back against his seat again. “I’m sorry.”
“Sorry that you make me laugh?”
“No.” His expression was serious as he reached over to link his fingers with hers. Her stomach clenched at the contact. “I’m sorry that I’ve put your life in danger.”
“Not your fault,” she said, squeezing his fingers as if she could use force to make him believe her words. “That’s the awful hit men and the even awfuller Truman.”
The tension around his mouth eased slightly. “Awfuller? Do we need to have another grammar lesson?”
Twisting, she smacked his shoulder with her free hand. “No, we do not. And quit changing the subject. I’m trying to tell you that it’s not your fault. Do you think I’m to blame for Martin Jovanovic trying to kill me?”
Just like that, he was serious again. “Of course not. That’s not your fault.”
“And the hit out on you isn’t your fault.”
“I still feel guilty.”
“Me, too.”
They fell into silence, their hands still locked together. His grip was warm and comforting. She didn’t care that it was just the illusion of safety. If he wanted her to let go, he was going to have to peel her off him, finger by finger.
The sun had dipped behind the tallest mountain peaks, dimming the light around them. The car windows were down so that they could hear, and the air cooled rapidly. In just a long-sleeve T-shirt and jeans, Grace shivered.
“Cold?” Hugh asked, his fingers tightening around hers.
“A little.” When he released his grip, she wanted to complain, until he slid his arm around her shoulders. That was even better than holding hands. “It’s more that I’m thinking about tonight. What if the hit man lied? What if this is a trap, so they can lure you in and kill you?” Her voice got rough with anxiety on the last few words.
“Hey,” he said gently. “Come here.” Before she could respond, he was hauling her over the center console.
After an initial surprised yelp, she went along with him, even helping to shift her body until she was sitting on his lap, her legs draped over the console and her feet in the driver’s seat. If he wanted to hold her, she wasn’t about to say no. After all, this was Hugh, and he was like a warm teddy bear with muscles and an attitude. The memory of their kiss outside the viner played in Grace’s head on a frequent basis, and she had to admit that she wouldn’t mind a repeat. Plus, now that she was snuggled up with Hugh, she was already feeling warmer.
Much, much warmer.
“Once this is over, you know what we’re going to do?” He kept one arm wrapped around her while his other hand chafed her arm from her elbow up to her shoulder. Even with her shirtsleeve and the bandages over his palms blocking his touch, heat still flooded through her. It wasn’t from the motion, but more just that Hugh’s hands were on her. “Gracie?”
“What?” She jolted out of her semi-dazed state. The man was the ultimate distractor. How was she supposed to concentrate on what he was saying when he wasrubbingher?
“Are you paying attention now?” he asked in a mock serious way. “Because I don’t talk just to hear myself, you know.”
“Okay, drama queen. I’m listening. Share.”
“Do you really want to know?”
“No.” When he did a double take, she laughed.
Although he made a fake-sour face, he gave her an affectionate squeeze.
“Fine, okay, yes,” she relented, barely resisting the urge to kiss his pouty mouth. She’d never known a guy who was so unabashedly dramatic, and she kind of loved it. The banter, his quick comebacks, his obvious adoration of her smart mouth… Talking with him made Grace feel clever and witty and soalive. “Tell me, please. I might die if I never know what you just said when I wasn’t paying attention. Save me, my prince, and tell me what I missed.”
“Fine.” He gave a billowy, long-suffering sigh, and she resisted the urge to smack his shoulder. She knew from experience that it would just hurt her hand without bothering him at all. “What Iasked, as you’d know if you hadn’t been ignoring me, is if you knew what we were going to do when this is all over.”
“Hmm…” The thought of not having killers chasing them made Grace wiggle her toes in glee. “I know what we’re not going to do.”
“What’s that?”
