Page 47 of Dark ’N’ Deadly

Try not to think about him. Or his bone-melting kisses that made her hotter than a blister bug in an Alabama pepper patch.

Great. Alabama. Talk about a sobering reality check.

She pushed a button on the bed’s remote, raising the mattress so Jesse could sit up more comfortably. She gave Tiger a hearty scrubbing behind the ears, and in return he bestowed a lick on the back of her hand. “How did you get him past the nurse’s station?”

“It wasn’t a problem.” Eric sat on a corner of the mattress at the foot of the bed. “Even if Tiger wasn’t my partner, this hospital has an established pet therapy program.”

Tiger rose on his hind legs to rest his front paws gingerly on the bed beside Jesse, as if he inherently sensed her brother’s fragile condition and didn’t want to cause him any discomfort. He rested his muzzle on the mattress, allowing her brother to pet his ears and head.

She ran her hand along Tiger’s back, feeling the dog’s muscles bunch beneath her fingers. “It’s amazing how they know when someone is in pain.”

Jesse managed to shift slightly on his side to face Tiger. The dog stretched closer and landed several light licks on her brother’s face. “Do you think I could ever be a K-9 cop?” He looked hopefully at Eric.

Eric hesitated before answering. “Maybe. Some day.”

Meaning, if her brother didn’t wind up with a criminal conviction that would sully his record and follow him for the rest of his life.

When Eric’s gaze flicked briefly to hers, it’d softened, making her heart yearn for something that could never be. Heat crept to her neck and face, reminding her of the way her body temperature had soared the minute his lips had melded to hers.

She quickly looked away to find her brother watching her oddly. He knows. Jesse might be ten years her junior, but he’d always picked up on her feelings, and it was obvious to him that something had happened between her and Eric, even if he didn’t know exactly what.

Luckily, Eric had spent most of the drive to the hospital on the phone with his boss, going over last-minute details for the controlled delivery, so she’d been spared any awkward conversation about their aborted hallway encounter. Their hotter than hell hallway encounter.

Dayne strode into the room. “Feeling better?” he said to Jesse.

“Yeah, thanks.” Jesse glanced briefly at the FBI agent, but his attention was entirely on Tiger.

“Got a minute?” Dayne asked Eric, canting his head to the hallway.

“Yeah.” Eric glanced at his watch, then to Tess. “We’ve got plenty of time, nearly four hours before the meet.” He winked at Jesse. “Keep an eye on Tiger for me, will you?”

“Sure thing.” Jesse grinned.

The men headed out of the room, leaving her and Jesse alone with Tiger, who seemed content to remain on his hind legs, snuggling his head tenderly against her brother’s side.

“So?” Jesse’s hand stilled on the dog’s head. “What happened?”

“What do you mean, what happened?” Unable to sit still beneath his accusing stare, she stood and began to pace the room, although she knew darned well what he meant. She just didn’t want to give voice to it.

“Tessie.” He gave her a duh look. “Did you and Eric do it?”

She spun on him, somewhat shocked by his blunt accusation. Then again, he was a teenage boy. They didn’t know any other way when it came to talking about sex.

“No, we didn’t do it.” She flopped back on the chair and crossed her arms.

“Oh.” The abject look of disappointment on her brother’s face almost made her laugh. “You know, it’d be okay with me if you guys did.”

She huffed at the ridiculousness of their conversation. “Thank you for your permission, but I can assure you, it won’t happen. Ever.” Because it can’t.

“Why not?” He glanced at the open door, lowering his voice. “The guy’s got a major boner for you, and you’re hot for him. Look, all I’m sayin’ is that I approve.”

“Approve of what?” Eric asked as he and Dayne came back inside.

Tiger lowered from the bed to sit beside Eric, while Dayne remained standing by the door.

“Nothing.” Tess pressed her hands to her warm cheeks then caught her brother’s knowing grin.

Shoot. Am I that transparent?