Derision brought her forward, palms flat on the tabletop. “How do I know you won’t lead anyone back here?”

Reese’s expression went taut. “Is that an accusation of complicity or incompetence?”

“Reese,” Logan warned. He saw no reason to prick Pepper’s already prickly temper. “I trust him, honey, so—”

“I’m not your honey,” she shot at Logan, and then with a glare at Reese, said, “and I don’t trust him.”

Dash held silent, and Logan couldn’t tell if he was amused, awed or aghast at Pepper’s ferocity.

“Now my feelings are hurt.”

“Ha!”

Reese leaned into her anger, all kidding put aside. “Before this gets out of hand, understand that I know how to spot a tail, and I take my position as a law enforcement officer seriously.”

“Well, hallelujah for you, but that doesn’t reassure me a bit.” She scraped back her chair.

Assuming she’d go off angry, Logan stood, too. He’d follow her, try to appease her, hopefully put her more at ease.

But instead of storming off, she snatched up the emptied plates and headed to the kitchen.

The way Dash grinned now, there was no confusing his amusement. Reese threw up his hands.

Logan picked up the glasses and followed her to the kitchen. Since it wasn’t that far from where Dash and Reese sat at the table, with no walls separating them, he knew both men looked on.

“Calm down.” He kept his voice low. “Everything is going to be fine.”

She scraped the plates into the garbage. “I’ve got a feeling that your idea of fine differs from mine.” She rummaged around under the cabinets.

“What are you looking for?”

“Dish soap.”

Logan took her shoulders and, mindful of their audience, set her away to get the soap himself. He put the plug in the drain and filled the sink.

Dash came over. “So. Why don’t I do the dishes and you two can—”

“No.” She elbowed aside both men and got to work. “I carry my own weight.”

Logan already knew she wasn’t a fan of domestic chores, but she looked so strained, he didn’t want to do anything to set her off.

He shook his head at Dash, and then said to Pepper, “Mind if I help?”

“As a matter of fact, I do.” She gave him a molten look. “Why don’t you go busy yourself elsewhere?”

Dash cleared his throat. “We’re going to play cards. Want to join us when you’re done here?”

“No.” She looked at Logan again. “And neither does he.”

With no idea what that was supposed to mean, Logan held up his hands. “I still have to put sheets on my bed, anyway. It’ll be morning soon and we all need to get some sleep.”

She made a rude sound that he couldn’t interpret, and didn’t dare ask her to explain. He turned and headed to his room.

The bedrooms were all utilitarian. Whoever had first built the house hadn’t meant it for luxury but for hunting and fishing and getting away. Neither he nor Dash hunted, but they did enjoy fishing, swimming and being close to nature.

Their parents had a condo on a resort lake that they could use whenever they wanted. Golfing, horseback riding, restaurants, dancing and more. They had speedboats and a sailboat, and…

Pepper had one stuffed bear.

He had both parents, a brother he was close with and an entire network of relatives.

She had only Rowdy.

Logan glanced at the bed, ran a hand through his hair and accepted that he wouldn’t get any sleep. He could almost understand why Pepper had taunted him with her body and with that maddening way she’d stroked him.

Before she’d turned away.

He’d added to her hurt when she’d already been hurt so much, and now she wanted payback. Clear enough. He got it. If that’s what she needed to feel better, he’d man up and take it without complaint.

But he’d give a lot to hold her, to keep her tucked close through the remaining hours till dawn.

After tossing a pillow on the freshly made bed, Logan stripped off his shirt, stretched and stepped out to check on Pepper.

She finished drying a pan and put it back on the stove. She glanced up, caught his gaze, and without looking away, she dropped the dish towel over the sink and started toward him.

Both Reese and Dash paused in their card game as she went past them, her intent gaze zeroed in on Logan.

Given the way she watched him, with so much obvious determination, he had no idea what to think. She stopped before him, trailed her hot gaze over him, then snagged a finger through a belt loop at the front of his shorts. Without a smile, without a word, she led him back into the bedroom he’d just exited.

“Pepper?”

Uncaring about the others, she closed the door and leaned back on it. “Get naked,” she said in a husky whisper, “and get in the bed.”

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

FEELING DARING AND HOT and far too needy, Pepper held her breath as Logan hesitated, his expression both confused and concerned. She knew he wanted her. Already he was semierect, dark eyes glittering, cheekbones flushed.

“Go on.” She stepped away from the door—and peeled off her own shirt to bare her br**sts. She dropped it on the wooden floor and turned to him.

He looked at her body in minute detail, then back to her face. He’d grown so rigid, he looked ready to break. In contrast, he kept his tone gentle. “What are we doing here, honey?”