The Dark Gate by Pamela Palmer Read Free Book Online

to face him. “Jack…”
    His smile dawned sexy and playful. “Relax, Larsen. I just need to change your bandage. Wrap your top half in a towel so you don’t have to take your shirt off.”
    She stared at him, scrambling to gather the wits he’d scattered to the wind with his suggestive comments. “Right,” she said at last, and spun on her heel toward the bathroom, wondering if she should forego the hot bath and opt for a cold shower instead.
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    Steamy moisture hung in the air, clinging to the mirror in a wet fog. Standing on the terry bath mat, Larsen slipped into the borrowed pajama pants she’d brought in with her, then wrapped a dry bath towel tight around her breasts, tucking the end under her arm. Clutching it tight to her chest with one hand, she fluffed her wet hair with the other and called to her host.
    â€œJack, I’m ready for you!”
    Larsen groaned as the raw double entendre echoed in her ears, making her cheeks flood with heat, which just flustered her more. She was twenty-eight years old. The Ice Bitch, for heaven’s sake. Ice bitches did not get flustered over hot cops. They weren’t supposed to blush over anything.
    She heard the doorknob twist. As the door opened, she tried to fake a calm disinterest, but the sexy smile Jack leveled on her sent heat of a different kind flooding her system.
    He leaned against the doorframe, teasing lights dancing in his blue eyes. “You’re ready for me, are you?”
    She tried to look haughty, but failed miserably as she met his grin. “You’re impossible.”
    The worst part was that she was ready for him. Never in her life had she been so aware of a man. But he couldn’t know. She couldn’t go there with him.
    â€œThe bandage, Detective,” she said crisply, struggling to hide her reaction to his nearness.
    He made a mock face of disappointment that did nothing to dim the smile in his eyes, but his hands busied themselves with the first-aid supplies.
    His gaze dipped to take in her outfit, lingering a moment too long on her hands…or what they covered…making her feel hot and damp.
    â€œHow was your bath?” he asked, his smile turning friendly.
    An answering smile escaped her mouth. She didn’t want to like him, but he made it so hard not to.
    Larsen tucked the towel in tighter. “The bath felt great. I’m finally clean again.”
    â€œNo trouble with that shoulder?”
    â€œNo. Like I told you, it’s stopped hurting.”
    His eyebrows lifted. “Let’s see how it looks, shall we?” He motioned to the closed toilet lid. “Have a seat.”
    He stood close, his knee brushing her thigh as he carefully pulled at the tape holding the bandage to her shoulder.
    â€œThis might hurt.” He eased the bandage off her skin. His brows pulled together as he stared at the wound.
    â€œDamn, woman, you heal fast.” His expression registered both surprise and approval. Beneath dark lashes, his blue eyes slid to her face.
    Larsen shrugged. “It must have been a small arrow.”
    Jack stared at her shoulder, frowning. “I don’t care what size it was. This wound looks like it’s been healing for days.” He shook his head. “Amazing. Anyway, I think we can probably switch you to a couple of Band-Aids.”
    â€œGreat. Let me get back in the bath and wash the tape marks off.”
    But he was already reaching for her. His thumb ran along one of the tape lines, the look that entered his eyes warming her to her toes. “I’ll help.”
    â€œYeah, I bet.”
    He grinned at her. “As much as I’d enjoy seeing you in that tub, we’ll do it here.” He picked up the washcloth and began to ease the glue from her damp skin.
    She stared at the speckles in the tiled floor while he worked. The subtle scent of his aftershave gave an exotic touch to the steamy, soapy smell of the bathroom,