Free Betrayed by Trust by Frankie Robertson Page A

were alive. True, we’d been studying our cover story, but I still felt I should have known enough to avoid making a gaff like that.
    Dan, however, seemed unperturbed. “They died five years ago. Car accident. But my mom got to see my sister Jill married, so that was good.”
    An older protective sister? I could still be in trouble here. “Is your sister as good at detecting lies as your mother was?”
    “She’s getting there. She and Sam have a three-year-old boy. Tim.”
    “You have a nephew. So you know about kids already.” I could see how Dan would be good with children.
    He shrugged. “Some.”
    “So who should we tell first, my folks or your sister?”
    “Are you finally saying yes?”
    I answered, even though the outcome had never really been in doubt. “Yes.”
    His expression brightened. “Excellent!” He slipped the ring onto my finger, then paused, looking into my eyes. Then he kissed me gently on the mouth. “For Mom,” he said solemnly, but his lips twitched and his eyes twinkled.
    I laughed. “For Mom.” I kissed him back. Dan’s lips were warm and firm and tasted just as they should. Without thinking I leaned forward into his touch as one of his hands cupped my cheek. A spark jumped between us, arcing along my nerve endings. The wanting that surged through me was different from the magic enhanced desire I’d felt only hours ago with Conrad. Different, but just as strong. I wanted to snuggle into his embrace, but I pulled away, embarrassed.
    I’d just come from another man’s sheepskin rug. It felt wrong somehow to be so turned on by Dan just hours later.
    Dan released me instantly, but his eyes were dark and hot.
    “I’m sorry,” I said, looking down at the floor. “I don’t mean to be a tease. It’s just—”
    “I don’t think that.” Dan stood and pulled me to my feet. He kept hold of my hands and tilted his head to catch my gaze. “I just spent six weeks coaching you, remember? I have a pretty good idea of who you are. You’re not a tease, and you’re not a slut. I know that. And while it would be way too easy to get carried away with you, I know you need some time.”
    I blew out a deep relieved breath. “Yeah.”
    “Just the same, I think you should stay here tonight.”
    I lifted a brow.
    “It’s late, and you’re wiped out. Don’t worry. I’ll take the couch.” He brushed another gentle kiss across my lips.
    Gentle, but with a promise of heat. I barely kept myself from stealing another.
    Dan pulled back from the embrace, and suddenly fatigue swamped me. He was right. I didn’t want to drive back to my hotel tonight.
    “Okay. I’ll stay.”
    Dan showed me into his bedroom, which was barely three steps away in the tiny apartment. “The sheets are clean. I’ve only slept on them once.” The room was basic but tidy, with a worn, utilitarian dresser on one wall and a dark blue blanket doing duty as a bedspread.
    “This is great. I’m so tired I could sleep on the floor.”
    He opened a drawer and fished out a T-shirt. “In case you want something to sleep in.”
    I laughed softly and took it from him. “Thanks. Much better than streaking naked to the bathroom in the middle of the night.”
    The corner of Dan’s mouth quirked up, and he pretended to grab for the shirt. “Damn! Gimme that.”
    I pulled it out of reach and pointed. “Out.”
    He left, closing the door behind him.
    I barely had the energy to get out of my dress and into Dan’s shirt. I snuggled under his sheets. His pillow held his scent and it filled my head, warming me like a second blanket.
    It won’t be long until we’re sharing a bed.
    I smiled at the thought, and fell asleep.
    The next morning I awoke to the smell of coffee brewing and bacon cooking. I splashed some water on my face and finger-combed my hair before joining Dan in the kitchen, still wearing his T-shirt. It came down halfway to my knees so I was decent, but I saw Dan’s eyes flicker to my chest when I climbed onto the