A Perfect Storm (17 page)

Spencer Lark was the real deal, an amazing mix of macho ability and tender compassion, sex appeal and physical strength, kick-ass justice and an enormous heart.

If she’d ever felt this way before, she didn’t remember it. She knew no other man had ever drawn her as Spencer did. It was strange, but she couldn’t deny that she looked forward to his next kiss. Would it be more intimate than the previous kisses?

Remembering them gave her a tiny shiver of eagerness.

Just a little while ago, he’d stolen a quick kiss straight from her lips.

Would he kiss her there again? Longer next time? Deeper?

Did she want him to?

Yep, she did.

Tonight, she’d be alone with him at his house again. After they finished their trip to the bar, maybe she’d tell him what she wanted. Or maybe she just wouldn’t protest. This was all so new to her that she really had no idea how to proceed.

But she’d figure it out, and fast.

Spencer got back into the truck, settled into his seat and gave her a double take. “You’re looking at me funny.” His gaze went to her mouth. “Daydreaming again?”

“Sort of.” She felt suddenly free, and that made no sense. Soon they’d be in the center of a viper’s nest. Bad guys needed to be brought down, and innocents needed to be freed. And still the grin tugged at her mouth. To contain the euphoric feeling, Arizona wrapped her arms around herself. “I was just thinking that I really do trust you.”

He went still, his expression inscrutable. “Glad to hear it.”

Arizona had to laugh. Of course he didn’t try to press the issue. Not Spencer. He still saw her as damaged goods, and he still wanted to “fix” her. But somehow, that didn’t bother her so much anymore. She knew she was fine, and eventually he’d know it, too.

She gave him a nod. “Okay.”

He spoke carefully. “Okay what?”

No way would she forewarn him. He wanted the upper hand, and right now, he thought he had it. That worked for her. As long as he considered himself in control, he wouldn’t see her taking over.

“Never mind.” Trying not to grin, she flipped down the visor and checked her teeth in the mirror. “Nothing stuck in my teeth. That’s good.”

“Hey.” He reached for her hand, drawing her attention back to him. “Everything okay?”

“Yup.” Things were awesome, better than ever, because
she
felt awesome, better than ever.

Apparently, he didn’t buy that. “You aren’t having reservations about going to the Green Goose?”

“Shoot, no.” If anything, she was more enthusiastic than ever.

He held on to her hand. “It’d be understandable, honey. Even if Terry Janes doesn’t pick up on the…” his attention moved over her “…enticement, other guys will come on to you. They’ll be drinking, probably pushy.”

“Yeah, I know.” Duh. That was the plan. She squeezed his hand in reassurance, then let him go. “But it’ll be okay. Don’t worry. I’ve done this sort of thing before, remember? I can handle it.”

Expression darkening, he pulled back and started the truck. “You handling it is what I’m worried about the most.”

“Well, don’t.” She hooked her seat belt and gifted him with a cocky smile. “We’ve got the bases covered, so there’s nothing to worry about. Now let’s get this show on the road.”

CHAPTER TEN

W
ORRY
? H
OW
COULD
HE
NOT
? Arizona showed no caution, no real understanding of the risk involved. She acted as if it was all fun and games, showing the same enthusiasm for cutthroat danger that most young ladies her age gave to a shopping spree.

She might not comprehend the temptation she presented in her sexier clothes, but he knew, and the reality of it chewed on his conscience. No matter what the final reward might be, dangling her out there for traffickers to drool over didn’t sit right.

It felt more wrong by the moment.

“You look p.o.’d.” With her good mood dwindling, she tipped her head at him. “What’d I do wrong now?”

“Not a thing.” It wasn’t what she had done as much as how she faced the world—recklessly, with no consideration for her own safety or limitations. Spencer had no idea how to rein her in. At times he wondered if such a thing was possible.

“Hmm.” She shocked him with a suggestive look. “Your mouth says one thing, but your mood says another.”

What the hell is she up to now?
Treading carefully, he said, “Unlike you, I understand that the best laid plans have a tendency to go sideways.”

“Poor Spencer.” She eyed his chest, lower. “Did you want me to fall apart?”

He scowled at her husky tone. “Of course not.” What was she thinking about that had her sounding so breathless? “You don’t need to be overly worried, but a degree of caution would be welcome.”

“So…” Deliberately teasing and intimate, she leaned toward him. “How much caution does it take to make you chill?” She stroked the side of his neck, threaded her fingers into his hair.

The touch froze him, left him so taut he felt ready to break. Spencer concentrated on driving—and on not getting a boner.

“Would it make you feel better,” she continued, “if I was a little scared, maybe a little needy?”

“God, no.” She’d lived enough of her life in fear. As his body stirred, he locked his teeth. “But you don’t have to be so damn happy about it, either.”

Her cool fingers moved over his neck. “Is that what attracted you to Marla?”

“What?” Following along wasn’t easy, not while she touched him without fear. Not when her posture showed off her cleavage. Not with her voice all husky and deep.

Crossing her legs, she went more or less sideways in the seat to better face him. “Marla.” In contrast to what she said, she turned her hand and drifted her knuckles over his jaw, under his chin. “Were you drawn to her because she’s a typically helpless female?”

With her skirt hiking even higher, of course he looked at her legs. Again. They were so smooth, slim but shapely. And he could almost imagine them open to him or wrapped around his waist.

Or warm against his jaw…

Damn.

On the one hand, it surprised Spencer that Arizona would utilize blatant female ploys. But on the other hand…he knew better than to ever underestimate her. She used those ploys for a reason…he had to figure out why.

Unsure of her endgame, he took care with his reply. The last thing he wanted to do was make Marla more of a target; Arizona already didn’t like her. “She’s a successful Realtor, an independent woman who owns her own home. I wouldn’t call that helpless.” But Marla did like to play off the idea of a single woman alone. More often than not, the ruse compelled him to lend a hand.

“Maybe for her,
calculating
is a better word choice, then.”

“Is that jealousy talking?” Given Arizona’s mercurial mood swings, he had reason to worry.

Finally drawing her hand away, Arizona scowled. “Why would I be jealous?”

“I have no idea. She’s just a neighbor—”

“That you
slept
with.”

Right. Definitely tones of jealousy. Figuring her out could take a lifetime. “I’ve slept with a lot of women…”

Affront stiffened her spine. “Big whoop. I’ve slept with—”

“Don’t.”
Muscles suddenly tense, Spencer worked his jaw. He did not want her drawing comparisons between consensual sex and human trafficking. “It’s not the same thing.”

Gently, she whispered, “Yeah, I know.” She retreated to look out the window.

He missed her touch, especially since she’d replaced it with the chill of her cold shoulder. “What are you up to?”

She shook her head. “Nothing.”

“Something,” he corrected.

Her mouth pursed, her eyes narrowed. “Forget it.”

Like hell. “Arizona…”

Shaking off her melancholy, she cut in to say, “Don’t forget to drop me off near a bus stop so I can arrive separate from you.”

He flexed his hands on the steering wheel. “I know what I’m doing.”

“Yeah, you’re kind of being an ass.”

He paused before pointing out, “Now you owe me two.”

“Kisses? Good. Great.”

That earned her another double take. “Is that a joke?”

Her blue-eyed gaze gave away her simmering temper. “Why not?” In a tone more flippant than not, she curled her lip and said, “You kiss like a schoolboy anyway.”

Well, hell. He hadn’t seen that coming. “Let me make sure I understand this.” He glanced at her elevated chin. “You’re complaining about how I’ve kissed you?”

She didn’t deny or confirm that. “Maybe I should really let you have it, and go for an even dozen.”

“Kisses?” His heart punched into his ribs. “Yeah, maybe you should.”

Mulish, she crossed her arms, swung her foot in agitation and went back to staring out the window.

“Come on, honey.” He turned down the route toward where Dare waited. He’d ensure that Arizona made it onto the bus without issue, and then Dare would tail her to the bar. “Talk to me. What’s going on?”

“Until you started admiring Marla, I was having a good time.”

“I wasn’t
admiring
her.” Just like a woman to twist things around. “You asked a question and I answered it.”

“Whatever.”

That flippant response annoyed him even more. “Forget about Marla already, will you?” He didn’t want her walking into the bar pissed off over nonsense. He wanted, needed, for her to bring her A-game by being calm and collected. “For the last time, she’s only a neighbor.”

“Hey, I hear you, but I don’t think Marla got the memo.”

“God Almighty, woman. Seriously? We don’t have enough to keep us occupied tonight without you picking a fight?”

Going still, she stared at him, then groaned. She dropped her head back and closed her eyes. “Yeah, all right.” A second or two passed, and she half laughed. “I didn’t mean to ruin things by nitpicking.”

“Things?”

She flagged a hand between them. “The little picnic was nice.”

Exasperation got the better of him. “Eating fast food in the front of a truck at a deserted park prior to using yourself as bait to draw in the worst type of creep doesn’t count as a picnic.”

She blinked at that long string of nonsense. “Oh, well…” She opened her purse and got out a stick of gum. “It did for me.”

Shit. Now he felt like a jerk. “Yeah,” he reluctantly admitted. “Me, too.”

“Uh-huh.” She popped the gum into her mouth, folded the wrapper, and put it in the ashtray. “And here you just said you wouldn’t lie.”

“It’s odd, no denying that, but so far I’ve enjoyed every minute with you. For sure, you’ll never bore me.” He thought it prudent to add, “Not that I share your enthusiasm for our agenda tonight.”

She chewed her gum and, through the car window, watched the scenery pass by. “You’ll see. I can take care of myself.”

Because she’d always had to.

But not anymore, not with him. And thinking of all the ways he wanted to care for her, he asked, “What’s your favorite place to eat?” She deserved to be pampered. Dinners out, movies, maybe some dancing…

“Hmm.” She gave it very little thought. “I don’t know.” She rolled one shoulder. “The dinner you cooked the other day was about the best I’ve ever had. Especially the cake.”

“There’s plenty left. If you want to pig out, we can finish it off tonight.”

“Sounds like a plan.” She gave him a quick smile. “But it was so good, I’d rather savor it.”

“No need. There will be another cake at Dare’s, I’m sure.”

She groaned. “Don’t remind me.”

The small gathering was meant to make her happy, not fill her with dread. “Not looking forward to it?”

“I appreciate the sentiment, but…I hate being the center of attention, you know?”

“I’m guessing it won’t be the hardship you’re imagining.” Once she was there, she’d enjoy herself. Somehow he’d see to it. To keep her from dwelling on it, he said, “Since you’ll be staying with me, is there anything in particular you’d like me to stock up on? More sweets maybe?”

She shrugged. “If you want cookies, hey, I won’t argue.”

“I can make a grocery store run. And I like cooking, so if you have a preference for dinners, just let me know.”

“Except for weapons, I’m not real picky.”

He did not want to talk weapons with her again. “Steak? Chicken? Come on, give me a clue.”

Indifferent, she offered no suggestion. “I’ve never really been a foodie, you know? I eat when I’m hungry, at any place that’s cheap but clean. I mean, I don’t want squid or snails or anything. No fish with their faces still on there. But otherwise, if you cook it, I promise I’ll like it.”

“Yeah, I’m not big on fish with faces, either.” He turned along a road leading into a more congested commercial area. He’d have to drop her off soon—and he was dreading it already. “You specified it had to be cheap?”

“My funds are limited, remember? Especially right now. I mean, Jackson tries to overpay me for doing a little computer work, but…” She shuddered. “I detest taking charity.”

“It’s not—”

“Yeah, it is,” she insisted, “no matter how Jackson denies it. But since I haven’t held up any dealers lately—”

“Jesus, I hope not.” He hadn’t even considered the possibility. “If you even
think
of—”

“You’re not my boss,” she interjected, “
and
I haven’t been focused on gambling. So…” She held up her hands, philosophical about her meager possessions. “I have the basic necessities. More than enough to get by.”

Later he’d deal with the idea of her mugging criminals. For now, he wanted to talk about the few bags she kept in her trunk. “What about clothes?”

“You haven’t seen me running around naked, have you?”

A clear visual struck his beleaguered brain.
No, but I want to.
Out of self-preservation, he cut to the chase. “What you have in the trunk and in your overnight bag…is that all you own?”

“Sheesh, get rid of the long face, will you? I keep things simple for a reason.”

“Being?”

“When you have things, property that’s important to you, then someone can take it away.”

Damn, but that was a sad attitude. “No photos? No jewelry?”

“Yeah, right. Photos of what?” She touched the hoop in her earlobe. “I have a few pairs of earrings, some bracelets and stuff that I wear when I’m working. Otherwise, that stuff just gets in my way.”

Working. God, he’d never get used to her thinking in those terms. “So you don’t care about fashion?”

That earned an honest laugh. “Do I look like a fashion plate to you? I have enough clothes that I don’t have to do laundry every day. And once I get their attention in this getup, I can revert back to my more comfortable duds. Anything more just takes up space and ties me down.”

So many times, in so many ways, she broke his heart without even trying. He pulled up to the curb. He hated to say it but knew she wouldn’t turn back now. “The bus stop is around the corner, two blocks down.”

She undid her seat belt. “I’ll find it.”

Unable to help himself, Spencer caught her arm. Her bare skin was silky soft, warm. “Promise me you’ll be careful.”

“You got it.”

He was far from reassured. “Don’t forget that I’ll be watching. Don’t go anywhere that I can’t see you.”

A huff of exasperation. “That’s a given.”

And still he couldn’t make himself let her go. “Dare will ghost you to the bus stop, then follow along until you get off the bus near the bar.”

“If that’s what he wants to do, I’m okay with it.” She reached for the door handle. “I sort of figured he’d do something like that anyway. In some ways, he, Trace and Jackson are pretty predictable.”

Was she disappointed that Jackson hadn’t come along tonight instead? Spencer shook his head, refusing to let his mind go there right now. “The bus lets you out right by the Green Goose.”

“I
know.
I scoped out the area myself.”

“I have all of Dare’s codes. If you see me check my phone, you know something is going on. Remember, if this plan goes off the rails—”