Silent Run

need his antagonistic brother around. Once Dylan had left the room, she let out a breath of relief.
    Jake frowned. “I’m not going to go any easier on you than Dylan would,” he warned.
    â€œI didn’t ask you to. But I’m not going to keep defending myself. Now you can drive me to the scene of the accident, or I’ll call a cab. Your choice."
    â€œWell, you do have all that cash,” he said with a touch of sarcasm.
    â€œI’m sure I have a good reason for having that money,” she said, but despite her brave words, she wasn’t sure at all.
    * * *
    After checking out with the nurse, who didn’t look at all happy that Sarah was leaving without an official discharge from the doctor, Sarah and Jake walked into the hospital lot, where Jake had parked his sporty, dark gray Jeep Cherokee. As he opened the car door for her, Sarah glanced over her shoulder, her gaze darting nervously around the parking lot. She felt as if someone were watching them, but she couldn’t see anyone. Still, the hairs on the back of her neck were standing up, telling her to be careful. She had only her instincts to rely on, and her gut told her that whoever had tried to kill her wasn’t far away.
    â€œWhat’s wrong?” Jake asked, following her gaze.
    â€œI don’t know -- something,” she murmured.
    Jake took off his leather jacket and tossed it on the backseat, then got behind the wheel. Once he was inside, Sarah flipped the lock button on the car. As soon as she’d done it a flash of uncertainty assailed her. Was she locking the danger out or locking it in?
    For the first time since she’d woken up in the hospital, she was alone with a man, away from any other help whatsoever. There was no nurse nearby to come to her rescue, no security guard keeping an eye on her. Jake had told her not to trust anyone -- but what about him? Could she trust him?
    She cast Jake a quick glance as he started the car. She was suddenly acutely aware of everything about him, his broad shoulders, his strong arms, his long fingers gripping the steering wheel. Jake had a definite rough-around-the-edges appeal. Something stirred within her, a flutter through her abdomen, a tingle down her spine, a jolt of desire that shocked her. As her gaze drifted to his hands she could almost feel his fingers stroking her skin, running through her hair, touching her in intimate, arousing ways.
    â€œWhat?” Jake suddenly demanded, his voice breaking through her reverie. “What are you remembering?"
    Startled, she lifted her gaze to his, feeling a rush of warmth spread across her face. As Jake stared back at her his eyes darkened, and a flash of desire sparked and took hold. She shivered at the look in his eyes. He hated her, but he wanted her, and that made him hate her even more.
    â€œDammit, Sarah,” he repeated. “What are you trying to do?"
    She put her fingers to her lips. “I... you... you touched me,” she said softly. “Kissed me."
    â€œAbout a million times,” he said huskily, his eyes narrowing on her face. “You’re starting to remember us together?"
    She knew he wanted her to say yes, but it wasn’t that easy. “It was more of a feeling than a memory. I was looking at your hands, and I could feel them on me.” She glanced away, uncomfortable and awkward. She’d once been intimate with this man. They’d made love. They’d had a baby together. And now they were strangers... except that her body was starting to recognize him even though her brain still refused to cooperate.
    â€œThat’s it? That’s all you’ve got?” Jake asked, frustration in his voice.
    â€œIt’s something, isn’t it?"
    â€œI don’t know. Maybe you’ve just decided to play me in a different way."
    She sat back in the seat and crossed her arms as she stared out the front window. “What does that mean?"
    â€œIt means don’t try to flirt with me,” he warned. “Don’t try to remind me that we once had something. That’s over. Got it? You have no power over me whatsoever. Look at me, Sarah."
    She really didn’t want to, but there was no refusing the command in his voice.
    â€œI don’t want you anymore,” he said bluntly, anger burning in his eyes. “I don’t care about you at all. I just care about finding my daughter."
    â€œI get it."
    â€œYou’d better.” He turned