Free Chasing Joshua by Cara North Page B

set about straightening the living room. He cut the lights, checked the locks, and headed up the stairs with her gear in tow. He put the suitcase in the chair in the guest bedroom. After that comment, she needed to be separated and put back as a proper guest.
    He would not take advantage of her, even if she wanted him to. He couldn't anyways, not with her bruises still fresh. He'd hurt her. Setting the cell phone on the nightstand he crossed the hall. Evelyn was at the top of the stairs now facing him. Damn, he forgot about the ankle, the only noticeable injury still bothering her. She was tough; he gave her that credit.
    "I dropped your gear in the guestroom.” He cleared his throat again. “See you in the morning. Just knock if you need me."
    Evelyn knocked on the wall next to her with a wolfish smile.
    "Cute.” Joshua shook his head as he entered his bedroom. His groin leapt at that knock, and she didn't need any more encouragement. That woman was a killer all right, and he was her primary target. Apparently she was using a new approach, her body, her best weapon.
    * * * *
    Evelyn couldn't sleep. She spent the last two hours meditating, pushing the pain out, and calming her mind. A warm feeling crept over her, and Joshua entered her mind. She believed that happened for a reason; maybe he was thinking about her, too.
    Joshua wasn't asleep when he heard the bedroom door across the hall squeak open then a gentle tap on his own door as it opened.
    "Joshua,” she whispered.
    He was awake, but he didn't answer her. He wanted to see what she was up to. The door closed, and he thought she may have gone back to her room, but he felt her presence still, and the jasmine smell wafted over him. The bed dipped slightly with her bodyweight. His back was toward her, and his eyes were open. He waited. He started thinking maybe he should have slept with his gun, but that was ridiculous.
    Evelyn was quiet and as gentle as she could be; he was sleeping. All she wanted was to sleep, too. The king size bed was big; she could have kept her distance. Instead, she nuzzled into his back, inhaled his scent and closed her eyes. Soap and Joshua, the man was clean, pure. She would lay here for a minute and then go back to her room, to bed.
    Within moments her breathing was slow and heavy. She was asleep. Her nose and lips touched his back and set his body on fire. Joshua wasn't sure he would sleep at all tonight, but he had to try. He needed all his energy to combat this little minx in the morning. Besides, he had calls to make. There were four men to find so far, the four men who had hurt her. He closed his eyes and said a silent prayer.
    * * * *
    Joshua awoke with a heavy feeling on his back. He was on his stomach and Evelyn was practically sleeping on him. She made him into her own personal mattress. Her red locks tickled his nose, and he could feel her breath on his neck. The smell of jasmine filled his senses and set his mind on carnal drive.
    How did this happen?
    Evelyn was still asleep. Her bare breasts pressed into his back, and her left hand extended down his left arm. She practically claimed him in her sleep. She wore panties, thank God. He could feel the cotton on his lower back. She pushed all normal boundaries and wanted control. No way in hell was that happening.
    Slowly he lifted up rolling, trying to free himself and turn her to her side. Unfortunately that must have startled her, and she began grabbing at him.
    Everywhere.
    Evelyn felt like she was falling. Her eyes snapped open, and she didn't know where she was. She gripped onto something. Focused. Joshua. She smiled, inhaled his scent, then realized she had been sleeping with him, and he wasn't tied up.
    "Easy now.” His morning voice was low and gruff. Evelyn's hand held his lower abdomen and the tip of his morning wood a little too tight for comfort. He didn't move, afraid she may close the death grip and not let go.
    "Sorry.” She eased her grip and relaxed onto her back