The Unknown Twin

James swore, crudely.

Alex grabbed his arm. “Watch your mouth around Lauren, or I’ll personally throw you outta here.”

Shrugging Alex off, James gave him a sizzling look before turning back his gaze to Lauren. “This isn’t over, Lauren. I made a mistake in what I did to you, but now I’ll do anything I have to to rectify it.” Without giving her a chance to respond, he stalked to the foyer and out the front door.

“Well, that was fun,” she said, just as Alex’s cell phone rang.

He fished it out of his pocket. “Shields.” He watched Lauren. “Yeah. Uh-huh. We already know, Sam. I’m at Lauren’s. He showed up here. Pissed as hell.” A worried look. “Okay, I’ll tell her.” He clicked off. “Ready for this one?”

She sank onto the couch and picked up Butterscotch, who’d settled there. “No, but tell me.”

“Your friend James lied about his alibi for last night.”

Before she could react to that news, the phone rang again. This time it was hers. “Hell,” she said, and looked up at him.

He shrugged. “Want me to get it?”

“No.” She picked up the phone. “Hello.”

“Ms. Conway?”

“Yes?”

“This is Hank Holmes.” Her brain spinning, she drew a blank on the name. “I own the house you’re renting.”

“Yes, Mr. Holmes.”

“You been tryin’ to reach me?”

“Uh-huh. I was wondering if, for some reason, you were in my house last night when I was out.”

“I was at the dog track last night. Lost my shirt.” He hesitated. “Something happen?”

“No, it’s okay. Thanks for returning my call.” She hung up and faced Alex.

“I take it the landlord wasn’t here.”

“No.”

“That settles it.”

“Settles what?”

“I’m staying the night.”

“Excuse me?”

“I’m staying the night.” Alex nodded to the corner of the room. “In that man-size hammock over there.” He gave her a lopsided grin. “Unless you have a spare bed.”

“The other two rooms aren’t furnished yet.”

“Then it’s me and the hammock.” He arched a brow. “Is it comfortable?”

“Yes, but it’s not necessary for you to stay tonight.”

He crossed to the couch and squatted in front of her. He grasped her free hand and cradled it in his. “Humor me, then. I won’t sleep a wink knowing you’re here alone.” He shrugged. “It’s in a firefighter’s genes to protect women, ma’am.”

Her heart was beating fast. She didn’t know if that was from the news she’d just gotten about James, from the landlord’s call or Alex’s suggestion that he sleep here. “That’s ridiculous. I’ve got a dead bolt, I’ll put it on.”

“Does the regular key fit the dead bolt?”

“Yes.”

“If someone’s been in here, he’d have the key to that lock.”

“I suppose.”

“Look, I’ll stay tonight, then call one of my crew who’s a locksmith on the side. He can come out tomorrow and change your locks.”

She had to smile. “Do you know everybody in town?”

“Comes from growing up here. Anybody I don’t know, Mom and Dad do.”

Trying to conceal her concern, she glanced at the door. “I could call Hannah.”

“Oh, yeah, they’d appreciate that. Imagine what they’re doing right about now.”

She could. And it caused heat to flush her face. Because she could imagine doing the same thing with the sexy, smart man before her. Who wanted to stay the night.

As if he read her thoughts, he brushed her hair back, letting his hand rest at her nape in a possessive gesture that made her shiver. “Lauren, you know I’m attracted to you. I want to see you. To date. But the offer to stay tonight doesn’t come with strings.”

A branch batted against the window, and she jumped.

His arched eyebrow taunted her. See, you are afraid. “Do you think that I’d take advantage of you? Pressure you in some way?”

Like he’d have to do that to women. “No, of course not. I just hate to inconvenience you.”

“You can cook me breakfast in the morning.”

Smiling, she reached out and squeezed his shoulder. His eyes lit with her touch, and she couldn’t stop herself from caressing the soft silk of his shirt, feeling his muscles flex under her hand. “What do you like for breakfast, Alex?”

Way to go, girl. Flirt your heart out.

Lauren smiled.

Alex smiled.

“Anything you’re serving.”