Alaskan Heat by Pam Champagne Page B

Hawk’s strange behavior, Sophie had plenty to mull over on the last leg of the trip to Eagle. There was nothing she could do except follow her instructions from Stan, even though she loathed what she had to do. She prayed Hawk would understand, knowing full well it was beyond the realm of possibility. Last night he’d handled her like a piece of Waterford crystal. What was that all about? She’d come to expect his wild lovemaking and, although she’d reached a physical release, she’d been left wanting more.
    So far today Hawk’s remoteness overshadowed his polite demeanor. A quick glance in his direction confirmed he was preoccupied. They’d talked earlier and he’d given her the plan. His plan. She’d drop him off at Dan and Maria’s, turn around and head back the way she’d come. If only they had another thousand miles to travel.
    “I’m hungry.”
    “I can pull into the next store, although this stretch of road doesn’t look too promising. How about I stop at the next rest area and make tuna fish sandwiches?”
    Hawk flashed a toe-tingling smile. “Thanks.”

    Sophie swallowed a mouthful of her soda and reached into the bag of chips sitting on the seat. She’d stopped at a deserted rest area about a few miles from the border crossing. “We’ll be at the border in a few hours. We need to figure out how to smuggle you in.”
    “I’ve been thinking about it. You drop me off five miles from the crossing. I’ll cut through the woods and into Alaska. Meet you on the road a few miles from the border.”
    “Nice try, but no go.” Did he think she was crazy? If she went along with him, he’d take off. Sophie all but shoved the remainder of her sandwich in her mouth, more for an excuse to drop the conversation than because she was hungry.
    “You got a better plan? Oh, I know. We’ll just politely explain to the border patrol that I have no identification. Lost it on the way. I’m sure they’ll laugh and wave us through.”
    “Trust me. I have it under control.”
    Hawk mumbled something she didn’t quite catch, other than two words: dream on. If he still didn’t trust her, then perhaps her betrayal wouldn’t hurt him when they arrived in Eagle.
    “Are you fucking crazy?” Hawk asked a few minutes later when Sophie explained her idea.
    Sophie drew a lungful of air. “It’ll work. I’m a federal agent. They’re not going to tear apart the camper.”
    “I could leave right now and do it my way.”
    Her heart somersaulted. The moment had arrived. From now on, she had to assume the role of an actress. Please, God, let it worthy of an Oscar . “Do it and I’ll turn you in at the border. You wouldn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell of making it to Eagle.”
    She expected hostility, anger or perhaps a bit of cajoling. She wasn’t prepared for Hawk to slide over to her side, his gaze sincere. “You’d do that…after everything’s that happened?”
    “I have no choice.” She’d meant to sound forceful. Instead her words were hoarse. “Please don’t make me do it.”
    Disappointment shone in his eyes. His thumb brushed away a leaking tear. “This damn well better work.”
    “It will.” The confidence of her reply belied the self-loathing tucked away in a corner of her heart.
    Sophie exited the truck and Hawk followed suit. He held himself stiff and unyielding, reminding her of a condemned man. Once in the camper, he turned. The vulnerability in his eyes nearly brought her to her knees. “My life is in your hands,” He said, and then climbed into bed and pulled the blankets over his head.

    The truck bounced, rocking the camper, as it advanced toward Alaska. Hawk almost felt empathy for Rueger who rode in here every day, but at least he didn’t have fifty pounds of shit thrown on top of him. Sophie had tossed duffle bags, blankets and God knew what else onto the bed. She might as well have buried him alive. When she’d ordered Rueger to jump up, he’d wanted to strangle her. He