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anything comes up, and I can be reached on the phone if anything happens.” His fingers teased along her knuckles. “If you don’t want me to go, all you have to do is say so.”
    “No, I want you to go. It would be nice to have company, I just don’t want to put you out.” Suddenly she felt like she was on eggshells, like she had been when they first met. The uneas e tightened the muscles between her shoulders.
    “Then it’s settled . We’ll leave early Friday morning and everything is going to work out just fine.”
    She smiled with both nerv ousness and excitement. The idea of being alone with him, driving through a snowstorm, seemed dangerous and appealing. To have him all to herself with no distractions was more than she could hope for.
    Now if she could only find a way to get him naked.

Chapter Thirteen

     
    The next day passed with incredible slowness. Le found himself looking at the clock thinking an hour or more had passed when in reality it had only been a few minutes. He was anxious for their trip, even if it would only allow them to spend a few additional hours together. He was supposed to be putting distance between them, keeping her out of reach before he couldn’t keep his feelings to himself any longer. Instead he was offering to go on a road trip with her. How was he supposed to keep any distance between them while they were locked in his truck all day?
    H e leaned his head back against the leather chair and closed his eyes. Immediately his mind conjured an image of her in that body-hugging cami shirt she had on the night before, after she slipped out of her sweater when the heat of the fireplace and oven had overwhelmed her. Damn, he practically had to sit on his hands to keep them to himself. He hadn’t had this much trouble controlling his desires since he was a teenager.
    Someone stood in the door clearing their throat, pulling him from his thoughts before they could turn too erotic. He found his sister watching him with amusement.
    “I’d ask you if you had a rough night , but I already know Chelsea was there until nearly one in the morning.” She stepped into the office and closed the door.
    “What ’s your point, little sister?”
    “Just not used to you having a life outside of this place. Is there anything I should know?”
    “Yes, there is.” He leaned forward, placing his hands on the desk. “You should know to mind your own business. Do you see me butting into your life?”
    “Actually, yes.” She took the chair across from him. “You’ve always know n everything that goes on in my life and you questioned Jason so thoroughly he thought he was on trial for murder.”
    “I ’m the older brother; it’s my job. Now was there something you wanted or did you just stop by to harass me?”
    “ Now that Jason’s parents are here, we’re having Brian over on Sunday, so I wanted to invite you and Chelsea as well.”
    Normally he’d agree without hesitation . Going over to Liz’s meant a home cooked meal and good company. The fact she invited Chelsea made him question Liz’s motives.
    “I’ve seen that look before. I invited Chelsea because she’s a friend of mine, and at this time of year no one deserves to be alone. She already agreed to come for Christmas dinner. So if there’s unsettled waters between you two, you better deal with it quickly.” She stood but didn’t move away from the desk. “She’s a wonderful woman, and as you know she’s been through a lot of shit. If you’re not interested in something long term with her, don’t lead her on. She deserves better than that. Now I’ll see you Sunday at six. Have a safe trip.”
    Before he could argue that he couldn’t get involved with Chelsea because she deserved so much more , Liz was gone. Just like Liz, leaving before he could defend himself. She had never been fond of confrontation.
    Nevertheless, she was right; he couldn’t lead Chelsea on. Either he had to be straight with her about his feelings, or