Page 92 of Bad Intentions

“Who knows? Her daddy is a cop.”

“Why the name change?”

“So that her daddy doesn’t find me. Apparently, that didn’t work.”

“Apparently, she wants you bad.”

I wasn’t stupid. His story didn’t make sense. But then, there were enough crazies out there.

“She wants to drag me back to Ohio. And her daddy wants to have a talk with me. And because her daddy is as batshit crazy as she is, he will make sure I stay with her. Because if I don’t, he’ll harass me, pin some stupid-ass crime on me, and make my life hell. A sheriff, like I said. They can do anything they want.”

“So what are you going to do about her? Jimmy?” I emphasized the name.

“It’s Derek,” he said. “My middle name, I like it better.”

That was another bullshit story, I was sure, but I let it roll. It was amusing to see him squirm. It felt powerful to know that I might be the only person in town who knew this side of him, the Jimmy side. Well, besides Karen.

“Karen will give you away in a second,” I suggested.

“That bitch.” He grunted with irritation and rubbed his face with both hands. “She really gets on my nerves. The moment I saw her, I knew that old hag would be steaming like a clogged pipe. Old women, they can’t get young guys, so they want to show them they are in charge.”

“She’s barely fifty,” I corrected him.

“Yeah.” Derek smirked. “Dammit, I have to leave town. I can’t have Sarah find me and then get her daddy to rope me in, back to that Ohio dump.”

That was disappointing. He could’ve been from Cleveland or another big city in Ohio, but that didn’t sound like it. I’d thought he was a city boy. Turned out, his past wasn’t that glamorous. I still wanted him more than ever. That only gave me more confidence.

“Let me see what I can do,” I said, getting up.

“Do what? Where are you going?”

“Home. I just got off work, and I need rest.” I knew he wouldn’t ask me to stay, so I had to make the first move. “I’ll see if I can talk some sense into your Sarah.”

He snorted with laughter as I walked to the door.

“What are you talking about?” he asked, his voice getting closer, as well as his footsteps, until he caught up with me, pulled me around, and cornered me against the door.

It wasn’t anger in his eyes this time, no. Not mockery either. His hands were on each side of me, trapping me, his curious eyes locked with mine, and… Gosh, despite stupid Al, and annoying Vic, and his delusional ex, and others, I still wanted him.

“I’ll think of something,” I said mysteriously. “There are ways. I’ll divert her, maybe. Send her to another town.”

“Oh, yeah?” Derek’s lopsided smile and dimples made my knees weak. This time, his question was hesitant. “You think you are hard candy or something?”

“Or something.” I licked my lips. “Let’s just say I’m interested in what we have going on here.” I let my gaze drop to his chest, then raised it to his eyes. “For now.”

I’d never thought I’d see it in his face, the want, but there it was, staring at me, his eyes burning with surprise. He brought his hand to my face and took my jaw between his fingers, then kissed me. He let go quickly, saying, “Let me know what’s going on. And don’t share this address, understood?”

I didn’t respond, but he opened the door for me, for the first time. And I left his house high on that kiss, determined to do anything it took to keep him mine.

That meant Sarah had to go.

50

MALLORY

I didn’t go home after Derek’s. Something had to be done about his ex. First, I needed to talk to her to see how much she knew and if she really had a sheriff daddy who was in on this.

I’d never done anything like this before. Remember? The third wheel, the helper, the cleaning lady. That was me. This time, I had to show Derek what I was made of. Other girls were entertainment. I was willing to be a partner, and it was annoying that it was taking him so long to understand the difference.