Midnight Betrayal by Melinda Leigh Page B

the landline. Everyone else used her cell number.
    “Dr. Hancock, Conor Sullivan is here to see you,” the doorman said.
    “Please send him up.” She hung up the phone and turned to the dog sleeping on the sofa. “See? I told you everything would be all right.”
    The soft knock on the door a few minutes later brought the dog off the couch. Louisa opened the door. Conor stood in the hall. She wanted to say hello, but she wasn’t prepared for the flood of relief into her throat at the sight of him. His hair was still damp from a shower, and he smelled like soap. She inhaled. No fancy cologne, just the scent of clean skin.
    He held out a takeout bag. “The doorman asked me to bring this up to you.”
    She swallowed. “Thank you. Come in.”
    In the foyer, he handed her the bag and crouched down on the tile floor to greet the dog. “Nice place.”
    Louisa led the way into the kitchen. The scent of grilled steak wafted from the bag, and her stomach rumbled. “The lease is short-term. Really it’s more than I need, but I didn’t know the city when I moved here. I didn’t want to buy until I decided where I wanted to live.” Though she loved the sleek kitchen, the gas fireplace, and the view of the city.
    “Hey, I’m damned glad you’re staying here.” He followed her across the black-and-white porcelain tile. “Looks nice and secure.”
    “I prefer a building with a doorman and twenty-four-hour security.” Louisa set the takeout on the black granite counter next to an assortment of designer dog food. She pulled the Styrofoam cartons from the bag. “Please sit down. You look tired. Are you hungry? I have green tea and coffee.”
    “Whatever you’re having is fine.” He slid onto a stool. “Thank you for sending Damian. How do you know him?”
    “When I first moved here, he recruited me to help out in his teen shelter. I was impressed with what he’s doing trying to get kids off the street and encourage them to stay out of gangs.”
    Louisa took a second china mug from the overhead cabinet and poured tea for both of them. “With Zoe’s disappearance tied to the museum, I feel like your involvement is my fault.”
    Conor gave the steam a suspicious sniff, then tasted it. He set the cup down. “You didn’t do anything wrong.”
    Opening the food carton, she lifted the steak onto a plate and sliced off a large chunk, which she cut into bite-size pieces. “I had my reservations about using Damian. He works mostly with juveniles. But I didn’t know whom else to call. I haven’t lived here long, and he’s the only lawyer I know. Your brother was frantic.”
    “Damian was great. I don’t know how to thank you. We’ll find a way to pay you back.”
    She heaped French-cut string beans onto the plate and cut them into inch-long strips. “No need. He owes me.”
    Louisa slid the pile of cut-up meat and vegetables into a bowl and set it on the floor.
    Conor stared. “What are you doing?”
    “I can’t get Kirra to eat dog food.”
    “So you ordered her a rib eye?”
    “We were splitting it. The portions are enormous. Would you like some?”
    “No, I just ate.”
    “I haven’t shopped this week.” Heat flooded Louisa’s cheeks. “I researched dog nutrition on the Internet. An assortment of meat and vegetables is recommended for a balanced diet.”
    Conor dropped his head onto his crossed arms on the counter. His shoulders shook.
    “Did I do something wrong?”
    “No.” He lifted his head. A grin tugged at his mouth.
    “You’re laughing at me.” Relieved, she set the bowl on the floor. Kirra gave the food a wary sniff and a nibble but ate only a few bites before wandering away.
    “I’m sorry.” He stood up and rounded the kitchen island. “It’s been a long day.”
    Louisa followed his glance to the corner of the room where she’d stowed a dog bed, a large chew bone, and several squeaky toys. “The woman in the store said Kirra would like her own bed, but she doesn’t seem