The Mistresses Collection. Оливия Гейтс

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СКАЧАТЬ he sauntered back to his laptop, which was open on the table, while she rocked the baby some more.

      Twenty minutes later, when Bonnie finally looked completely gone and Trinity’s back was ready to break, she carefully, carefully lay her down. But no sooner had her fingers slipped away than the baby pulled a face and shifted again. Her heavy eyelids dragged opened, her precious bottom lip began to quiver and Trinity’s heart broke in two. What was she doing wrong?

      She checked the baby’s satin brow. No temperature. Collecting Bonnie again, she glanced around. Light snow was still filtering down outside but, to a degree, daylight brightened the room.

      She asked Zack, “Can you draw some blinds?”

      Rather than spend all day in pj’s or change into business clothes, Zack had found her a pale blue cashmere sweater, which served wonderfully as a soft, comfy dress. He’d donned a sweater, too, dark slate in color to match his eyes. Coupled with a pair of well-loved jeans that hugged his buns and long athletic legs just right, he looked like every woman’s GQ dream come to life. Well, he was.

      Now those broad cashmere-covered shoulders squared as he stood tall, ready for action.

      “Those windows don’t have blinds.”

      None at all? “Don’t you believe in privacy?”

      “We’re in the middle of nowhere. No one’s going to peep unless it’s a bear.”

      “I thought she might settle if it was dark. I’m going to try her in my room.” The one where she kept her overnighter and changed Bonnie. “It’ll be quieter in there, too.” No rattling of coffee cups or Cruiser’s claws clicking over the timber floor. They wouldn’t have to tiptoe around, holding their breath. “Can you get some pillows together?”

      “I’m on it.” He strode ahead.

      When she crept in the darkened room, he was retrieving extra pillows from a walk-in closet. Without her having to ask, to make it snug, he positioned the pillows in a rectangle on the bed then stuffed another quilt around the outside to keep the structure sound. Trinity lowered the baby and, checking inside the suit, made sure again her diaper was dry.

      Seconds then minutes ticked by. The baby didn’t move. Maybe it was the lack of light; perhaps she was simply wornout, poor love. Trinity only knew she felt so happy and relieved when Bonnie stayed asleep; she was torn between laughing and collapsing. But it only took Zack to approach her—to come near—for her senses to begin to stir in that different, R-rated kind of way.

      His rumbling voice was extra low. “Success.”

      She hugged herself. “Fingers crossed.”

      “How long do babies’ lunchtime naps last?”

      “Guess we’re about to find out. Hopefully a couple of hours.”

      She gave Bonnie one last heartfelt look before she followed Zack out. When he moved to click shut the door, she automatically set a hand on his arm. Beneath the fine wool, that limb felt like a length of warm steel, so inviting to the touch, despite it all, she found it difficult to let go.

      Schooling her expression, she stepped back.

      “Leave the door open a crack. I want to hear if she cries.”

      A corner of his too-kissable mouth quirked up at one side at the same time he leaned an inch closer and her pulse began to thud.

      “My guess,” he whispered, “is you’ll be going back to check every two minutes.”

      She sighed. He was right. “Maybe we could set up some remote control audio device like a baby monitor so I don’t wear a track in your floor.”

      “We might already have a monitor. One that comes with his own batteries.” Zack looked down.

      Cruiser lay in front of the door, his head dropping onto crossed front paws, his tail as still as midnight. Only his eyes, and the soft folds on his brow, moved as he shared looks between them both. Trinity wanted to bend down and hug his neck.

      “He wants to take the first watch.”

      “This dog has experience.” Zack ruffled one floppy ear. “Before he gets too entrenched, maybe we ought to tell him this posting is strictly temporary.”

      Trinity hid her wince. It hurt to hear what she already knew. As far as she and Zack went, they were proverbial ships passing on a stormy Colorado night, and hopefully the baby and Cruiser would be reunited with people who cared about them. Soon they’d all be separated with no reason to meet again. Like her and that baby so many years ago.

      Back in the main area a few minutes later, Zack was checking out the contents of his fridge.

      “After those leftover steaks, the dog won’t need anything for a while.” Hands on knees, the fridge light casting shadows over the chiseled planes of his face, he glanced at her. “You hungry?”

      They’d had cereal earlier and nibbled cookies throughout the morning. Exhaling until her lungs were completely empty, she eased down into a recliner.

      “I’m more tired than anything. I might just spread out for a while.”

      “Get a proper rest. There are a couple of bedrooms upstairs.”

      Yes, she knew. One of them was his. Safer to stay here.

      “This’ll do fine.” She grabbed a quilt. “Cruiser won’t have to go far looking for me when the baby wakes.”

      “The baby can cope for a couple of minutes without you.”

      “Doesn’t hurt to be close.”

      Really wouldn’t hurt to grab a few winks, either.

      She closed her eyes…let her muscles and tendons relax and float. While a series of snapshots and snippets of conversation from these past hours wound through her mind, she snuggled down more.

      She might have been drifting when a strange sensation began to niggle and take hold. In a heartbeat she was hyperaware of a scent and muffled sound at the same time she felt something shift around her shoulder.

      Her stomach jumped and eyes snapped open. Zack stood over her. His hand was on the quilt, lifting it higher.

      “Your cover slipped.” He finished tucking the edge in around the back of her neck before drawing away. “I thought you were asleep.”

      She exhaled a groan and stretched an arm high. “Trying to.”

      When he turned on his heel, Trinity fought the urge to call him back. She knew what he was. Knew that he used people to get what he required.

      But not in this case. With no thought of personal gain, he’d offered his help with Bonnie, and while she didn’t need to fall into his arms and pretend she was special to him, neither did she have to be rude. This was his house, after all.

      She shifted up a little. “I’m really just resting. It feels good to lounge around but…”

      Zack prodded. “It’s СКАЧАТЬ