Love me till the end

Chapter 12

Charlie didn't know how long she remained in the loft hiding like a frightened rabbit before lowering the ladder to the floor below. She hadn't heard a third shot and hoped that meant good news. Besides, what could Luke do to her for disobeying him, toss her over his knee?

As she made her way down to the living room her thoughts drifted back to earlier. She'd never been with a man she'd known on such short acquaintance. Sex with Luke had seemed surreal while at the same time being the most real thing she'd ever experienced.

Her ex-husband had never made the earth shake like that. She smiled to herself. Not that she was making a comparison. But making love with Paul had always left her feeling as if something had been lacking in the experience. While Luke left Charlie feeling totally and thoroughly loved, and in a kind of sensual haze that remained with her long after her climax.

She went to the kitchen, turned on the radio, and proceeded to make some coffee.

"You don't listen very well."

Charlie hadn't heard Luke return. The unexpected sound of his voice caused her to spin around in reaction. He stood in the open doorway with Lady at his side, staring at her with a look on his face that was hard to read. She didn't know whether to be relieved or apprehensive.

"I thought I told you to stay in the loft."

The water began to run over the side of the coffeepot prompting Charlie to turn off the tap. "I got tired of cowering in the loft. I didn't hear anymore shooting and figured it was safe to come down." The way Luke's eyes moved over her reminded Charlie she'd helped herself to more of his clothes. She tugged at the heavy blue flannel covering her. "I hope you don't mind my borrowing another shirt."

"I don't mind."

Charlie got the impression by his troubled expression there was something on his mind. It was only natural that she wondered if he was sorry they'd been intimate. Would he revert back to the moody indifferent man he was before? Once a man got what he wanted... She quickly dismissed the thought. Luke wasn't like most men. And besides, he had no reason to use her.

"Did you find out what the trouble was?" She decided to pretend she didn't notice the gleam of purpose reflected in his serious brown eyes. She poured two cups of coffee.

"Swanson was using a rabid fox for target practice." Luke finally walked the rest of the way into the cabin, closing the door behind him. "He wounded him the first time so he had to track him down for the kill."

So, that was why they'd heard two shots. Charlie's eyes went to Lady as she settled on the rug before the hearth.

"Don't worry about Lady, she's okay."

She smiled. "How did he know the fox was rabid?"

"The signs. Foxes are normally skittish and stay away from humans. This one was stalking Swanson and making threatening noises. He decided not to take any chances."

"He didn't get very far. I take it he's okay?" Their fingers brushed briefly as Luke took the coffee she handed him. The innocent touch ignited a spark that caused them both to draw back with surprise.

"Swanson can take care of himself. He's spent most of his adult life in these mountains."

"Oh."

They stared into each other's eyes as the moments slipped by, filled with an awkward silence except for the music on the radio. The song that was playing was a slow love song, the singer crooning out the lyrics in a deep, husky voice that left the listeners thinking about clinging bodies swaying on the dance floor. It finally ended and the announcer came on, breaking the intimate mood of the moment as he divulged the singer's name. Charlie turned the radio off, not liking the way Luke was staring at her.