A Kiss in the Dark Read Online Free Page B

no sign, but Lacey thought he reversed with slightly more force than necessary, the tires churning up loose gravel before he changed gears and headed out of the parking lot.
    As Cole had predicted, Copper heaved himself to his feet and happily thrust his head out of the open window, his long ears streaming behind him. His hindquarters were dangerously close to Lacey’s face, and when his tail started to knock steadily against her chest, she gave a soft exclamation of surprise and gingerly swatted at the offending length.
    Cole laughed, the sound sliding over Lacey’s senses like warm honey. “That dog,” he said ruefully, “has no sense of personal space.”
    Neither, apparently, did Cole as he leaned suddenly across Lacey’s body and with one hand pushed gently but firmly on the dog’s rear, forcing it into a sitting position. “There,” he said, and his glance slid over Lacey as she pressed herself against the seat. “You okay?”
    Lacey met his gaze. Even in the darkened cab, there was no mistaking the expression of taut awareness on his face. In that instant, Lacey knew he wanted her.
    The knowledge thrilled her.
    Terrified her.
    Caused her heart to slam against her rib cage so that she was sure he would hear its betraying rhythm. “I’m fine,” she finally managed, hating the way her voice sounded breathless, even to her own ears.
    “Where are you staying?” he asked. “Mozelle or Cumberland?”
    Lacey looked at him blankly. “Are those hotels? Because I checked and—”
    Cole laughed softly again. “No, ma’am, those are towns. The closest ones with decent hotels, at any rate. Unless you’re staying with friends here in the Gap?”
    Lacey peered at him suspiciously. “Just how close are those two towns?”
    Cole shrugged. “Well, they’re in opposite directions from here, but I’d guess they’re both about an hour away.”
    Lacey gaped at him. “You’d be willing to drive me all that way?”
    He turned to her then, surprise evident on his face. “Yeah. Why wouldn’t I?”
    Lacey stared at him for a long moment before dragging her gaze away. Of course he was willing to drive her that far. He probably thought he’d be well rewarded for his efforts. After all, she’d done nothing but ogle him since she’d first laid eyes on him. For a moment, Lacey battled with herself, torn between doubt and anticipation, because a part of her wanted him to want her. But she didn’t want him to think she was an easy conquest.
    His lips tightened before he returned his attention to the road. “I see. You think I’ll want some sort of payment in return for the lift.”
    “No—” Lacey began, ready to deny what she had, in fact, been thinking.
    But Cole held up one hand, forestalling any further words. “It’s okay,” he said. “Because you know what?” He slanted her one long, meaningful look. “You’re right. I’d be lying if I said the thought hadn’t crossed my mind.” He gave a low, self-deprecating laugh. “Hell, it’s been the single thing on my mind since I first saw you.”
    Lacey’s breath hitched. His husky confession caused a liquid heat to slip along the underside of her skin, and her pulse began a heavy, languorous thudding. She focused on the dark road, watching as the truck swallowed up the pavement, unable to think of an appropriate response.
    “However,” he continued easily, “I don’t need to use coercion or guilt to get a woman to sleep with me. It’s either completely mutual, or it doesn’t happen. So you can relax, okay?”
    Relax? Was he kidding? Lacey thought she might spontaneously combust. Of course he didn’t need to use coercion—he was the kind of guy women fantasized about. Not only gorgeous, but considerate, too. In that moment, she made up her mind. Her friend Julia was right; she’d denied herself for way too long, always putting the needs of others before her own, always conscious of what her mother might think. But out here, there was just her and