Roz nodded. “Let me double check that.” She typed inweightlifting world records.What she read confirmed it. “Perfect, so between that and a less-than-credible witness, I think there’s a good chance of getting you off.”Getting him off? What is wrong with me?She felt her cheeks heat.
Konrad simply smiled.
Damn, my Freudian slip is showing, and he noticed.Roz ruffled the papers in front of her and jotted down some notes. It had obviously been too long since she’d had sex. She noticed her panties dampening.
When she glanced up, he was still smiling at her.Maybe planting the seed of that idea isn’t the worst thing I’ve ever done.
***
After the arraignment, Konrad asked Roz to join him for lunch. Fortunately she had no more cases, so they decided to grab takeout and enjoy a long walk home. The sunny sky held the promise of a warm, spring day.
“You were brilliant.” Konrad hoped he hadn’t blown his chances with his sexy attorney and neighbor.
“Aw, shucks. I’ll bet you say that to all the public defenders.”
His smiled faded and his gaze dropped to the sidewalk. “It really was my first and only arrest, but I know how you feel about the guys you defend. I guess you aren’t interested in me now. I was hoping to ask you out.”
She touched his arm, and the spot tingled. “This is different. You were innocent.”
If only…Konrad hated to deceive her, but there was no way he could explain his abilities without exposing what he was, and therefore, the existence of his kind. Not to mention that he needed time to discover if she could be his mate. He had the sneaking suspicion that the beautiful lawyer might just be the one, and he had to check out that theory. If he didn’t, he could spend his whole life wondering.
She smiled up at him. “So, where do you want to eat lunch? Indoors or out?”
He contemplated her soft expression and glanced up just in time to witness a child drop his mother’s hand and dart out into traffic. The mother screamed, and Konrad dropped their bag of takeout, rushing after the child without a thought. He scooped up the little boy seconds before a car’s brakes squealed.
The car hit Konrad, but even as he staggered, he held the boy steady. The tot was untouched.
The mother cried out, “Oh, thank God!”
Even though Konrad limped to the sidewalk, it was mostly an act. The car bumper was dented, so he had to make it look good.
As he passed the boy to his relieved mother, he winced.
She hugged her son close and stared at Konrad. “Oh my goodness. Are you hurt?”
“I’ll be fine. Probably just a bruise. Nothing broken.”
The driver of the car rolled down his window and yelled, “Hey, lady. Keep your friggin’ kid out of the street.”
Konrad turned to him and said, “We’re fine. Thanks for asking.”
The driver flipped him the bird and sped off.
“If you hadn’t been there…” Tears welled up in the mother’s eyes, and she bit her lower lip.
“I’m just glad I was able to help, ma’am.” He glanced at Roz for the first time since he’d bolted into the street. Her mouth hung open and her eyes were wide with awe.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Roz asked. “I mean, you took a pretty hard hit.”
“Nah, I’m made of strong stuff. I drink lots of milk—rich in calcium.”
The woman grappled for her purse. “Sir, let me give you a reward.”
“Aw, heck no. I’m just glad I saw what was happening in time to stop it.”
“I insist.”
“Tell you what. Take the money and buy one of those child harnesses.” He ruffled the boy’s hair. “Some precocious children need to be protected from themselves.”
