Be With Me(72)

Two, he didn’t want her.

Three, he was afraid of hurting her or scaring her.

Since two was obviously not the answer, it had to be one or three. She was betting it was a combination of the two.

She didn’t know what to do about one, but she could damn sure do something about three.

With a determined twist to her lips, she rol ed out of bed and headed for the shower. Sawyer and Hutch were heading to the job site early, and Cam had phone cal s and plans to go over. She had her own agenda, which included checking in with the chief and also with Michael to see if he’d been out to the house to get the security measures she’d asked for in place. She needed it done before they headed back.

The house was quiet. She’d talked to Michael, and his guys were finishing up at the house as they spoke. She’d missed the chief when she cal ed the station but had talked to Jeremy. They wanted Cam, Sawyer and Hutch to come in for questioning as soon as possible, and she didn’t relish passing along that information. They’d want to know why, and whether she told them or the chief told them, they’d find out that the case was a lot more complicated.

She curled up on the couch and closed her eyes. A dul ache had inserted itself in her temples.

Once they were questioned, it wouldn’t real y matter if they knew about the security measures she’d had Michael instal at the house. It would probably be easier if she just told them herself rather than let it al come out later.

What she worried about was Hutch’s reaction if the finger pointed at some personal vendetta against him. He’d want to take off and put as much distance between him and the others as possible. It was likely what she would do. Hel , she’d tried it herself when it looked as though she might be the focal point of the threat.

She couldn’t, wouldn’t, let him do that. They had to stay together. Hutch would make himself too easy a target by going off alone. And she wouldn’t be able to protect him.

The quiet hum of the ceiling fan lul ed her to sleep.

The next thing she was aware of was the murmur of voices.

“She’s cute al curled up on the couch,” Hutch said.

Sawyer made a rude noise. “She’l kick your ass for cal ing her cute. But yeah, she is kinda sweet looking. You know, when she’s asleep and doesn’t have her knee in your bal s.”

She grinned and cracked open one eye. “You two are so ful of shit.”

Hutch ambled over and dropped a kiss on her forehead. “’Lo, sleepyhead.”

“What time is it?” she asked. A giant yawn nearly cracked her jaw, and she rubbed it as she sat up.

Sawyer glanced at his watch. “Nearly five.” Her eyes popped open wider. “Five in the afternoon? Holy shit, I slept the entire day.” Hutch opened his mouth, but she stil ed him with a glare. “Don’t say it. Just shut up.”

He turned his palms up. “What?”

“He wouldn’t dare lecture you about how you need the rest and how it’s about time you took it,” Sawyer said. Then he grinned. “But I would.” She tossed a smal pil ow at him, which he caught and lobbed back at her head.

“You guys get everything straightened out at work?”

“Yeah,” Hutch said. “Where’s Cam anyway? He stil holed up in his office?”

She nodded. “Haven’t heard a peep out of him al day.”

She stretched but didn’t get up from the couch.

Truth was, she was too damn comfortable to think about moving. But she was hungry. She glanced hopeful y up at Hutch.

“Oh, I know that look,” he said with a rol of his eyes.

“What?” she asked, mimicking his innocent question.

“You either want food or sugar. I’m guessing, since Cam isn’t here giving you the evil eye, that you’l want sugar.”

“Mmmm fudge. Or maybe cheesecake.” She gave him her best cajoling smile. “Both?”

Sawyer laughed and walked over to plop onto the couch at her feet.

“How about you get one while I fix some supper?” Hutch said. “I’m making stir-fry.”

“Mmmm.” She sighed again. Her stomach growled.

Sawyer frowned. “Didn’t Cam feed you anything for lunch?”

“You say that like I’m cattle that has to be fed and watered regularly,” she said sourly. “I was asleep al day. If he’d woken me up, you’d be pissed because I need so much rest, remember?”

“You also need to eat.” He eyed her speculatively.

“You’ve lost weight, and you didn’t have any to spare to begin with.”

“Wel , I’l be sure to keep my skinny parts from your oh-so-buff ones,” she said.

Sawyer blinked in surprise, and she could have kil ed herself for sounding like a petulant whiney ass moron. God. Was this what sex and emotion turned you into?

Yeah, it bugged her that he was keeping al that lust and desire packaged up, but she wasn’t taking it personal y. Or was she?

Jesus. She needed to get a grip.

“Reggie . . . ,” he began.

Ugh, so not a conversation she was going to have right now. Not with Hutch looking on like he was missing several parts to a puzzle.

She swung her feet over the couch and pushed herself upright. “I’m thirsty,” she announced and headed for the kitchen.