Free Own the Night by Debbi Rawlins Page B

marrying kind.”
    He momentarily considered the notion. “I suppose I am,” he said, and snorted at the way her eyebrows shot up. “Why the surprise?”
    “I’m not used to a man admitting it. In my crowd commitment is a four-letter word.”
    Watching Dax abandon his search for crumbs and go sniff the carpet near Alana’s feet, Noah shrugged. He wouldn’t mind having someone to come home to, share his day with, warm his bed, but he wasn’t actively trying to make it happen, either.
    “Do you, um…” She paused, glancing away long enough to draw his attention back to her face. Her tongue had slipped out to moisten her lips. She quickly pressed them together as she met his gaze. “Have someone in mind?”
    Coming from another woman, he’d know what she was thinking, but Alana? Tough call. Before he could answer, her eyes widened, then she let out a yelp and shot up off the couch. And he about jumped out of his skin.

6
    “A LANA .” N OAH WAS ON HIS feet, glancing toward the window, then probing her face. “What’s wrong?”
    The afghan slid off her shoulders onto the floor, scaring Dax. The dog darted toward the kitchen, barking his head off.
    “Oh, God.” She felt like a fool with Noah standing there, an apprehensive look on his face. Laughter spilled out of her, nervous laughter that made everything worse. Especially when she tried to stop and ended up sounding as if she was in pain.
    Noah took her arm. “Alana, calm down,” he said firmly, his grip tightening. He was on full alert, the consummate lawman, his vigilant gaze tracking Dax and then again scanning the darkness beyond the window. “Did you see something out there?”
    “No.” She bit her lower lip. “God, this is so incredibly embarrassing. It was Dax....” She took a shuddery breath. “I’m really ticklish, and he licked the…bottom of my foot.” She didn’t want to tell him that Dax’s cold nose had gone between her knees. Although she wasn’t sure why that felt like an embarrassing admission.
    Noah studied her face, his gaze narrowing as if he couldn’t decide if he believed her. He moved to the window, peering out into the darkness. The curtains were only partially open and he pulled them closed. “You’re sure someone isn’t following you?”
    “Me? Who would be following me?”
    “I thought maybe you saw someone outside.” He signaled to the dog, who came to sit beside him.
    “I wish I could say I did. My reaction would’ve seemed far more dignified.” Her hand was at her throat and she lowered it, slowly releasing a strangled breath.
    Noah’s gaze drifted down for a moment, then jerked back up to her face.
    She knew her nipples were hard and obvious through the thin T-shirt. To suddenly cover herself would make matters more awkward. “I’m sorry I scared you.”
    His tense mouth softened into a faint smile. “I don’t scare that easily.”
    She scooped the afghan off the carpet, then glared at Dax.
    “No licking…I mean it. Or no more treats.”
    That got his ears up and his tail doing a hopeful wag.
    “I have to remember not to say that word,” she added.
    Noah briefly met her eyes, guilt flickering in the blue-green depths as if he’d been caught raiding the cookie jar. Or staring at her nipples. He switched his attention to Dax. “You got that, boy?”
    Alana had already noticed Noah checking out her breasts again, and her bare legs. She didn’t mind. In fact, his interest was not only flattering, but starting to raise her temperature. “It’s getting late.”
    He consulted his watch. “Yeah, almost nine. Don’t want the roosters getting a jump on us.”
    “Funny.” She pushed her hair back. “It’s eleven my time.”
    “I thought you city women would just be getting revved about now.”
    “Not this one. I hit the office early.” Alana plucked at a loose thread from the afghan draped over her arm, wondering what it would be like to kiss him.
    He seemed sort of interested in her. Or was he