She came! Neal forgot to breathe when a tall auburn-haired woman in jeans stepped through the door with a sort of hesitant step. He drank in the sight of her as she came into the room and let the door slide closed behind her. She'd sent pictures, and he recognized her easily, though his immediate thought was they didn't do her justice. 

* * * *

"There are damn few things I don't know about you, let me tell you. I intend to find out those few though if I have  the chance." His words sounded assertive, honest and sincere.

"Oh." Jenny blushed. Clearing her throat delicately, she asked, "What do you not know about me? I've told you everything." 

"I don't know how your cheek feels next to mine. I don't know what your hair smells like when the sun warms it." His words came out in a rush, but then he paused, I don't know how..."

"How what?" Their gazes locked, and the moment seemed perfect for an earth-shattering revelation. However...

* * * *

"Come here, sweetheart. Sit right there. I need to talk to you, and it would be better if I could have you near while I do it." 

Cautiously, she rounded his knee and let him seat her on his leg. Strong muscles covered the long bone she felt beneath her rear.

He draped one arm around her waist to secure her position then sighed. "Where to start?"

As curious yet concerned as she was, she couldn't help but quip, "At the beginning?" She bent a little to catch his eye and give him a cheeky grin.

He chuckled and squeezed her waist. "Quiet, woman. I have serious things to say, and you being funny ain't helping."

* * * *

"You don't have to do this, man. We won't say anything." He tried once more to get the men to let them go. His heart fell when the man shook his head then motioned forward with the gun.

"Drive. And shut up." He waved the gun over the back of the seat. "Talk again and the missus gets it."

Shit! I just thought we had problems. Now we really got 'em. These jackasses are kidnapping us!

* * * * 

Frustration, fear, despair--and something that looked like love. All those emotions she read. But no hope. The first time she met Neal Franks, she saw hope in his eyes. But not this time...not now.

* * * *

The kidnappers gave them no further chance to speak. 

Two faced two. Defenseless faced dangerous.

Then defenseless caught a break.

No Hollywood script writer could have created a better scene.