AllFreeNovel
Share Us
CHAPTER 9
THE SHOPPING trip was a disaster of major proportions. No wonder he insisted they needed another couple with them; he was counting on the fact that Risa wouldn’t stomp out of the mall if there were witnesses. And damn him, he was right.
Instead, she fumed. She refused to try on outfits, not that it did her any good, because he bought them anyway as Clint and Morganna looked on in amusement.
Then, at the lingerie shop. Risa had never been so publicly humiliated as she was when Micah dragged her into that shop. Even worse, when he picked out the scraps of lace and silk, satins and stretchy cottons. He bought enough lingerie to clothe twenty women. In her size. Bits of material that there wasn’t a chance in hell of her wearing.
He was insane. The amount of money he spent would have bought her groceries for a year. Groceries for her and a small family, she later decided.
He carried the bags. He encouraged her to buy snug jeans; when she didn’t, he bought them himself. He bought tops. He even bought her a snug leather jacket that looked as soft as butter.
He bought dresses. Dresses she swore she would never have the nerve to wear. Evidently private investigation or whatever the hell he did paid a hell of a lot more than accounting.
“You are spending too much money,” she protested.
“Enjoy it.” He’d shrugged as though cost didn’t matter. “I hope you took my advice and emptied your closets.”
“Do I ever take your advice?” she snarled under her breath.
“Well, I do remember one night that you came close.” He bent and whispered the words in her ear, and she wanted to melt into the floor.
As they walked through the mall, he held her hand or kept his at the small of her back. And he watched everyone. His black gaze was never in one place long unless he was contemplating some article of clothing, looking between the clothing and her.
By time they left, she had five pairs of jeans, innumerable tops, enough lingerie to start her own shop, a pair of leather running shoes, a pair of black heels that were decadent, and three club dresses. Evidently, Micah liked to go to clubs.
Leading her back to the car they had driven in, she noticed the tension in his and Clint’s bodies. Their watchfulness. She wasn’t certain what they were watching for until Clint said, “Car’s clear. Nik and John had surveillance. No one’s been around it.”
“The apartment?” Micah asked softly.
“Not so much as a blink on the surveillance. Travis moved into the apartment after we left. He says all quiet.”
Micah nodded, deactivated the locks while they were several vehicles away, and hit the auto-ignition on the keypad he carried.
It wasn’t cold; winter in Atlanta didn’t often get cold. There was a chill to the air, but that was about it. He opened the trunk and the bags went inside; then she and Morganna were put safely in the backseat while the big bad tough guys sat in the front.
Risa was starting to dislike men.
“I know that look,” Morganna murmured in amusement as she leaned closer, a smile tilting her lips. “You’re imagining how he would look with his head displayed on your mantel, minus his body.”
She shot the other woman a look. Risa still hadn’t decided just how involved Morganna was in the deception the night she had met Micah.
“Come on, Risa.” Morganna watched her somberly now. “You’re life was in danger and I knew it. I have clearance because of my work with the DEA to aid when Clint works certain assignments. You’re my friend. I’d rather tell a little lie to save you than see you dead.”
Risa stared into the rearview mirror as Micah glanced back at her.
“Don’t worry about it,” she finally said, turning to stare out the window of the door. “No harm done.”
And why had she said that? There had been harm done. She was still burning; she was still terrified of her own body since that night.
“You’re hurt,” Morganna pushed. “I don’t like that.”
Risa shrugged. “It was slight, Morganna. Please, just let it go.”
Risa watched the scenery fly by as Micah navigated through the traffic. She was aware of the two men talking quietly to each other, discussing surveillance and precautions.
She had never been out with a man and another couple before. She wondered if this was how it was. The guys sitting in the front and discussing whatever. The women in the back, perhaps discussing fashion. She’d always imagined the couples would sit together instead. She would have preferred it that way if she were part of a true couple. She’d prefer to have Micah beside her, perhaps with her leaning against him as they all discussed topics they could share.
She’d imagined that was a real couple outing. And it very well may have been; she had to remind herself that she wasn’t really part of a couple.
