AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“It’s not my main gig anymore.” He shrugs. “I was doing this as a favor to Rob. But that doesn’t mean I’m not damn good at it.”
Rand has already proven that. “So what’s your recommendation?”
“Let David and the world wonder if you’re dead for now, at least until we compile a list of suspects and start running them down.” Rand darkens his phone and tucks it away.
“Thanks. I’ll try not to be too much of a hassle and take too much of your time. I’ll make sure you get paid incredibly well for all you’ve done—”
“That’s nice but not my number one priority. This is personal now.”
Because someone tried to off me on his watch? Or because I actually mean something to him?
Silence fills the room and stretches between us. Rand stares—and I feel compelled to gaze back. My body, totally unimpressed by my earlier climax, tightens and throbs again.
What is it about this man that makes me so desperate for him?
“So…if you don’t cook, how do you feed yourself?” It’s the most roundabout way I can think of to ask if there’s a woman in his life.
“A combination of takeout, rotisserie chicken, and well-meaning friends. Why?”
“Just curious.” But my reply comes too fast.
“Because?” He steps closer. “What is it you really want to know?”
Of course he sees through my silly question. The longer I don’t answer, the more he pins me in place with his dark, hot eyes.
“Nothing,” I mumble. “Making conversation.”
He doesn’t move or blink for long moments. I find myself holding my breath, waiting on his every move and word.
Finally, he pulls his keys from his pocket and tosses me the ball cap from the nearby table. “That’s fine. But if you were wondering if there’s any woman in my life who cooks for me, the answer is no. Then again, if that’s what you were trying to find out and you weren’t honest with me, I’d toss you over my knee and spank your ass red for lying. So it’s good you weren’t fishing to find out.” He shrugs. “Put the cap on, find the flip-flops, and let’s go.”
“Sure,” I say automatically as I don the hat. But in my head, there’s an entirely different litany.Spank me? Yes, he’d spank me!
Shock and excitement both ping my overstimulated body as I slide into the kid’s sandals. My heels hang slightly over the back, but it doesn’t matter since I probably won’t exit the truck.
Then he ushers me to his vehicle. His hand on the small of my back does crazy things to my libido.
The trip to the grocery store is quiet. Rand concentrates on the road, but the tension in the cab is thick. I feel it. The longer I’m close to him, the more the fine hairs on my arms stand up. He feels it, too. Nothing he says or does tells me that, but the awareness between us is both undeniable and unbearable.
When we arrive at the store, he pulls into a spot at the edge of the lot and whips out his phone, types a message, then taps his thumb impatiently on the steering wheel. He’s keyed up.
Me, too.
What will happen once the sun falls, darkness sweeps in, and temptation rises?
I’m picturing every delicious possibility when someone knocks on Rand’s tinted window. He lowers it halfway. “Hal?”
“Yeah,” the older man replies, then gestures to a shopping cart behind him. “I got everything you asked for.”
“Thanks. Can you load it in the backseat?” He thumbs behind him at the empty bench.
“Sure.”
Rand hands over some cash, and Hal piles the plastic-bagged groceries behind our seats. I keep my face turned away, pressed down toward my shoulder as if I’m half asleep. As far as I can tell, he barely gives me a second glance.
“I also rounded up the extras you asked for.” Hal smiles, then glances my way as he hands over a paper bag. The neck of what seems like a wine bottle sticks up. “Good luck.”
Rand takes it and sets it between us. “Thanks.”
