Текст книги "Truly Madly Yours "

Автор книги: Рэйчел Гибсон

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Текущая страница: 12 (всего у книги 18 страниц)

She took another step backward, deeper into the dark lot. “I heard a rumor that I had an abortion because you were the father of the baby. She watched him straighten, and suddenly she knew why shed knocked on his door. “Im sorry, Nick.

“It happened a long time ago.

“I know, but I heard it for the first time today. She walked to the bottom of the stairs and put a hand on the rail. “You want everyone to think nothing can touch you, but I think that rumor hurt more than youll ever admit. Otherwise, you wouldnt have hit Scooter Finely.

Nick rocked back on his heels and stuck his hands in his front pockets. “Scooters an asshole, and he pissed me off.

She sighed and looked across her shoulder at him. “I just want you to know I wouldnt have had an abortion, thats all.

“Why do you think I care what people say about me?

“Maybe you dont, but no matter how I feel about you, or how you feel about me, that was a really cruel thing for someone to say. I guess I just wanted you to know that I know it was mean and someone should say theyre sorry. She dug in her coat pocket for her keys and started up the stairs. “Forget it. Louie had been wrong. Nick acted like he didnt care because he really didnt.

“Delaney.

“What? She stuck her key in the lock, then paused with her hand on the doorknob.

“I lied to you yesterday. She looked over her shoulder, but she couldnt see him.

“When?

“When I said you could have been anyone. I would know you with my eyes closed. His deep voice carried across the darkness more intimate than a whisper when he added, “I would know you, Delaney. Then the squeak of hinges followed by the click of a dead bolt and Delaney knew he was gone.

She leaned over the railing, but the door was closed like Nick had never been there. His words were swallowed in the night like hed never spoken them.

Once inside her apartment, Delaney kicked off her shoes and popped a Lean Cuisine into the microwave. She turned on the television and tried to watch the local news, but she had a difficult time concentrating on the weather report. Her mind kept returning to her conversation with Nick. She kept remembering what hed said about knowing her with his eyes closed, and she reminded herself that Nick was far more dangerous when he was nice.

She took her dinner out of the microwave and wondered if Frank Stuart would really want to talk to her about the latest rumor. Just like ten years ago, the town was whispering about her again. Whispering about her and Nick and “hanky-panky on the counter in her salon. But unlike ten years ago, she couldnt run from it. She couldnt escape.

Before shed agreed to the terms of Henrys will, shed moved all over the place. Shed always had the freedom to pick up and move when the mood struck. Shed always been in control of her life. Shed always had a goal. Now everything was hazy and confused and out of control. And Nick Allegrezza was smack in the middle of it all. He was one of the biggest reasons her life was so messed up.

Delaney stood and walked into her bedroom. She wished she could blame everything on Nick. She wished she could hate him completely, but for some reason she couldnt hate Nick. Hed made her more angry than anyone in her life, but shed never been able to really hate him. Her life would be so much easier if she could.

When she fell asleep that night, she had another dream that quickly turned into a nightmare. She dreamed it was June and shed fulfilled the terms of Henrys will. She was finally able to leave Truly.

She was free and buzzing with pleasure. The sun poured all over her, bathing her in a light so bright she could hardly see. She was finally warm and wore a killer pair of purple platforms. Life just didnt get much better.

Max was in her dream, and he handed her one of those big checks like shed won The Publishers Clearing House Sweepstakes. She shoved it in the passenger seat of her Miata and jumped in the car. With the three million dollars beside her, she headed out of town feeling as if a mammoth weight had been lifted from her spirit, and the closer she drove to the Truly city limits, the lighter she felt.

She drove toward the city limits for what seemed like hours, and just when freedom was less than a mile away, her Miata turned into a Matchbox car, leaving her on the side of the road with her big check tucked under one arm. Delaney looked at the tiny car by the toe of her right purple platform and shrugged as if that sort of thing happened all the time. She stuck the car into her pocket so it wouldnt get stolen and continued toward the city limits. But no matter how long or how fast she walked, the Leaving Truly sign remained barely visible in the distance. She began to run, leaning to one side to counterbalance the weight of her three-million-dollar check. The check grew increasingly burdensome, but she refused to leave it behind. She ran until her sides ached and she could move no further. The city limits remained in the distance, and Delaney knew without a doubt, she was stuck in Truly forever.

She sat straight up in bed. A silent scream on her lips. She was sweaty and her breathing choppy.

Shed just had the worst nightmare of her life.

Chapter Twelve

“The Monster Mash blared from five-foot speakers in the back of Mayor Tanasees Dodge pickup. Fake spiderwebs wrapped the truck in a gossamer tangle and two gravestones stood in the bed. The Dodge crawled up Main Street with witches and vampires, clowns and princesses, trailing behind. The excited chatter of ghosts and goblins mixed with the music and kicked off the annual Halloween parade.

Delaney stood in the sparse crowd in front of her salon. She shivered and snuggled deep into her green wool coat with the big glittery buttons. She was freezing, unlike Lisa who stood next to her in a B.U.M sweatshirt and a pair of cotton gloves. The newspaper predicted unseasonable warmth for the last day in October. The temperature was supposed to shoot up to a whopping forty degrees.

As a child, Delaney had loved the Halloween parade. Shed loved dressing up and marching through town to the high school gymnasium where the costume contest would begin. Shed never won, but loved it any way. It had given her a chance to play dress-up and cake on the cosmetics. She wondered if they still served cider and glazed doughnuts and if the new mayor handed out little bags of candy like Henry had done.

“Remember when we were in the sixth grade and shaved our eyebrows and dressed as psychotic killers and had blood squirting out of our necks? Lisa asked from beside Delaney. “And your mother lost it big time?

She remembered all right. Her mother had made her a stupid bride costume that year. Delaney had pretended to love the dress, only to turn up at the parade as a blood-soaked killer with no eyebrows. Thinking back, she didnt know how shed gathered the nerve to do something shed known would anger her mother.

The next year Delaney had been forced to dress as a Smurf.

“Look at that kid and his dog, Delaney said, pointing to a boy dressed as a box of McDonalds french fries and his little dachshund decked out as a package of ketchup. It had been a long time since Delaney had driven through McDonalds. “Im craving a Quarter Pounder with cheese right now. She sighed, visions of a greasy beef patty making her mouth water.

“Maybe one will walk down the street next.

Delaney looked at her friend out of the corner of her eye. “Ill fight you for it.

“Youre no match for me, city girl. Look at you shivering to death in your big ol coat.

“I just need to acclimate, Delaney grumbled, watching a woman and her baby dinosaur step from the sidewalk and join the parade. A door opened and closed somewhere behind her, and she turned, but no one had entered her salon.

“Wheres Louie?

“Hes in the parade with Sophie.

“As what?

“Youll see. Its a surprise.

Delaney smiled. She had a surprise of her own coming up. Shed had to get up real early this morning, but if everything went according to her plan, her business would take off.

A second truck slowly moved past with a big smoking cauldron and cackling witch on its flatbed. Despite the crazy black hair and green face, the crone looked slightly familiar.

“Whos that witch? Delaney asked.

“Hmm. Oh its Neva. You remember Neva Miller, dont you?

“Of course. Neva had been wild and outrageous. Shed regaled Delaney with stories of stealing booze, smoking pot, and having sex with the football team. And Delaney had hung on every word. She leaned toward Lisa and whispered, “Remember when she told us about blowing Roger Bonner while he pulled his little brother water skiing? And you didnt know what a blow job was so she told us in graphic detail?

“Yeah, and you started to gag. Lisa pointed to the man driving the truck. “Thats her husband, Pastor Jim.

“Pastor? Holy hell!

“Yep, she got saved or born again or whatever. Pastor Jim preaches over at that little church on Seventh Street.

“Its Pastor Tim, corrected a painfully familiar voice directly behind Delaney.

Delaney did a mental groan. It was so typical of Nick to sneak up on her when she least expected him.

“How do you know its Tim? Lisa wanted to know.

“We built his house a few years ago. Nicks voice was low, like he hadnt used it much that morning.

“Oh, I thought maybe he prays for your soul.

“No. My mother prays for my soul.

Delaney cast a quick glance over her shoulder. “Maybe she should make a pilgrimage to Lourdes, or to that tortilla shrine in New Mexico.

An easy smile curved Nicks mouth. Hed pulled a thick hooded sweatshirt over his head; the white strings hung down his chest. His hair was pulled back from his face. “Maybe, was all he said.

Delaney turned to the parade again. She raised her shoulders and buried her cold nose in the collar of her coat. There was only one thing worse than being baited by Nick, and that was wondering why he wasnt baiting her at all. Shed seen very little of him since the day shed knocked on the back door of his business. By tacit agreement, they were avoiding each other.

“Where did you come from? Lisa asked him.

“I was making a few calls from the office. Has Sophie come by yet?

“Not yet.

Four boys dressed as bloody hockey players wheeled past on Roller Blades and were followed closely by Tommy Markham pulling his wife in a rickshaw. Helen was dressed as Lady Godiva, and on the back of the rickshaw hung a sign that read Helens Hair Hut. Quality cuts for ten dollars. Helen waved and threw kisses to the crowd, and on her head sat a rhinestone crown Delaney recognized all too well.

Delaney dropped her shoulders and uncovered the lower half of her face. “Thats pathetic! Shes still wearing her homecoming crown.

“She wears it every year like shes the queen of England or something.

“Remember how she campaigned for homecoming queen, and I didnt because campaigning was against the rules? Then after she won the school wouldnt disqualify her? That crown should have been mine.

“Are you still mad about that?

Delaney folded her arms over her chest. “No. But she was. She was annoyed with herself for giving Helen the power to irritate her after so many years. Delaney was cold, possibly neurotic, and very aware of the man standing behind her. Too aware. She didnt have too see him to know how close he stood. She could feel him like a big human wall.

Except for the time Nick had ridden his bike in the parade like some crazed stunt rider and ended up with stitches in the top of his head, hed always been a pirate—always. And every year shed taken one look at his eye patch and fake sword, and her hands would get all clammy. A weird reaction considering that he usually told her she looked stupid.

She turned her head and glanced up at him again with his dark hair pulled back in a ponytail and small gold hoop in his ear. He still looked like a pirate, and she was getting a warm little tingle in her stomach.

“I didnt see your car in back, he said, his eyes staring into hers.

“Um, no. Steve has it.

A frown creased his brow. “Steve?

“Steve Ames. He works for you.

“Real young guy with dyed blond hair?

“Hes not that young.

“Uh-huh. Nick shifted his weight to one foot and tilted his head slightly to the side. “Sure hes not.

“Well, hes nice.

“Hes a nancy boy.

Delaney turned and scowled at her friend. “Do you think Steves a nancy boy?

Lisa looked from Nick to Delaney. “You know I love you, but geez, the guy plays air guitar.

Delaney shoved her hands into her pockets and turned to watch Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, and a Hersheys Kiss walk by. It was true. Shed gone out with him twice and the guy played air guitar to everything. Nirvana. Metal Head. Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Steve played it all, and it was so embarrassing. But he was the closest thing she had to a boyfriend, although she wouldnt even call him that. He was the only available man whod paid attention to her since shed arrived in Truly.

Except Nick. But he wasnt available. Not to her anyway. Delaney leaned forward to look down the street and saw her Miata turn the corner. Steve steered the sports car with one hand, his hair dyed and cut short in a spiky crewcut. Two teenage girls sat like beauty queens directly behind him while one more girl waved from the passenger seat. Their hair was cut and styled to make them look as if theyd just stepped out of a teen magazine. Smooth and free-flowing and trendy. Delaney had scoured the high school, purposely searching for girls who werent cheerleaders or pep club officers. Shed wanted average girls she could make over to look fantastic.

Shed found them last week. After receiving their mothers approval, shed gone to work on each of them earlier that morning. All three looked wonderful and were living, breathing advertisements for her salon. And if the girls werent enough, Delaney had taped a sign on the sides of her car that read: The Cutting Edge fixes ten-dollar haircuts.

“Thats going to drive Helen nuts, Lisa muttered.

“I hope so.

A collection of grim reapers, werewolves, and corpses passed, then a fifty-seven Chevy turned the corner with Louie at the wheel. Delaney took one look at his dark hair greased into a jelly roll and burst out laughing. He wore a tight white T-shirt with a pack of cigarettes rolled up in the sleeve. In the seat next to him sat Sophie with her hair in a high pony tail, bright red lipstick, and cats-eye sunglasses. She smacked bubble gum and snuggled inside Nicks big leather jacket.

“Uncle Nick, she called out and threw him a kiss.

Delaney heard his deep chuckle just before Louie revved the big engine for the crowd. The antique car shook and rumbled, then for a grand finale, backfired.

Startled, Delaney jumped back and collided with the immovable wall of Nicks chest. His big hands grabbed her upper arms, and when she looked up at him, her hair brushed his throat. “Sorry, she muttered.

His grasp on her tightened, and through her coat she felt his long fingers curl into the wool sleeve. His gaze swept across her cheeks, then lowered to her mouth. “Dont be, he said, and she felt the brush of his thumbs on the backs of her arms.

His gaze lifted to hers once again, and there was something hot and intense in the way he looked at her. Like he wanted to give her one of those kisses that devoured her resistance. Like they were lovers and the most natural thing in the world would be for her to put one hand on the back of his head and lower his face to hers. But they werent lovers. They werent even friends. And in the end he stepped back and dropped his hands to his sides.

She turned around and sucked air deep into her lungs. She could feel his gaze on the back of her head, feel the air between them charged with tension. The pull was so strong she was sure everyone around them could feel it, too. But when she glanced at Lisa, her friend was waving like a mad woman to Louie. Lisa hadnt noticed.

Nick said something to Lisa and Delaney felt rather than heard him leave. She let out the breath she hadnt realized shed been holding. She glanced over her shoulder one last time and watched him disappear into the building behind them.

“Isnt he cute?

Delaney looked at her friend and shook her head. By no stretch of the imagination was Nick Allegrezza cute . He was hot. One hundred percent, testosterone-pumping, drool-inspiring hot.

“I helped him do his hair this morning.

“Nick?

“Louie.

The light dawned. “Oh.

“Why would I do Nicks hair?

“Forget it. Are you going to party at the Grange tonight?

“Probably.

Delaney checked her watch. She only had a few minutes before her one oclock appointment. She bid Lisa good-bye and spent the rest of the afternoon on a three-color weave and two walk-ins.

When she was finished for the day, she quickly swept up hair from the last girl, then grabbed her coat and climbed up the back stairs to her apartment. She had plans to meet Steve at the costume party being held out in the old Grange hall. Steve had found a police uniform somewhere, and since he planned to impersonate a law enforcement officer, it seemed a given that she should impersonate a hooker. She already had the skirt and fishnet stockings, and shed found a fluffy pink boa with matching handcuffs in the gag gift aisle at Howdys Trading Post.

Delaney stuck her key into the lock and noticed a white envelope on the step next to the toe of her black boot. She had a bad feeling she knew what it was even before she bent to pick it up. She opened it and pulled out a white piece of paper with four typewritten words: GET OUT OF TOWN, it said this time. She crushed the paper in her fist and glanced over her shoulder. The parking lot was empty of course. Whoever had left the envelope had done it while Delaney had been busy cutting hair. It would have been so easy.

Delaney retraced her steps to the parking lot and knocked on the back door of Allegrezza Construction. Nicks Jeep wasnt in the back lot.

The door swung open and Nicks secretary, Ann Marie, appeared.

“Hi, Delaney began. “I was wondering if you might have seen anyone back here today.

“The garbage men emptied the Dumpster this afternoon.

Delaney doubted shed pissed off the garbage men. “How about Helen Markham?

Ann Marie shook her head. “I didnt see her today.

Which didnt mean Helen hadnt left the note. After Delaneys entry into the parade, Helen was probably livid. “Okay, thanks. If you see anyone hanging around that shouldnt be here, will you let me know?

“Sure. Did something happen?

Delaney shoved the note into her coat pocket. “No, not really.

The old Grange hall had been decorated with bales of hay, orange and black crepe paper, and cauldrons filled with dried ice. A bartender from Morts poured beer or cola at one end, and a country and western band played at the other. The ages of those gathered at the Halloween party ranged from teens who were too old to trick-or-treat to Wannetta Van Damme, who was tying one on with the two remaining World War vets.

By the time Delaney arrived, the band was well into its first set. Shed dressed in a black satin skirt, matching bustier, and black lace garters. The matching satin blazer she left at home. Her black stilettos had five-inch heels, and shed spent twenty minutes making sure the lines on her stockings ran straight up the backs of her legs. Her boa was draped around her neck and the handcuffs were tucked in the waistband of her skirt. Except for her teased hair and thick mascara, most of her efforts were concealed by her wool coat.

She wanted nothing more than to go back home and fall head first into a coma. Shed thought of not coming at all. She was sure the note had come from Helen and was bugged by it more than she liked to admit. Sure, shed stalked Helen a little bit. Shed hidden in her Dumpster and scoured her garbage, but that was different. She hadnt left psychotic notes. If Delaney hadnt told Steve shed meet him, shed be curled up right now in her favorite flannel nightgown, after a warm bath filled with fragrant bubbles.

Delaney reached for the buttons on her coat as her gaze scanned the crowd dressed in a wide variety of interesting costumes. She spied Steve dancing with a hippie chick who looked to be about twenty. They looked good together. She knew Steve saw women besides her and wasnt bothered by it. He was a nice diversion sometimes when she needed to get out of her apartment. He was a nice guy, too.

She decided to keep her coat on as she made her way into the crowd. She squeezed by two cone-heads and a mermaid and almost ran smack into a Star Trek character covered in makeup with a slight yellow tinge.

“Hey, Delaney, he said above the sound of county music. “I heard you moved back.

The voice sounded vaguely familiar and he obviously knew her. She hadnt a clue. His hair was slicked back with black spray-in color, and he wore a red and black uniform with a symbol that looked like an A on his chest. Shed never watched Star Trek and frankly didnt understand the attraction. “Uh, yeah. I moved back in June.

“Wes said that was you when you walked in.

Delaney stared into eyes so light they hardly were blue at all. “Oh, my God, she gasped. “Scooter! There was only one thing scarier than a Finley. A Finley dressed up as a Trekkie.

“Yeah, its me. Long time no see. Scooters makeup was cracking on his forehead, and his choice in face color picked up the yellow in his teeth. “Youre lookin good, he continued, his head nodding like one of those wooden Chinese dolls with the spring necks.

Delaney glanced around the area for someone to rescue her. “Yeah, you too Scooter, she lied. She didnt see anyone she recognized and her gaze rested on him once again. “What have you been up to? she asked, making simple conversation until she could make her escape.

“Me and Wes own a fish farm over in Garden. We bought it from Wess old girlfriend after she ran off with a long-haul trucker. Were going to make a fortune selling catfish.

Delaney could only stare. “You have a fish farm?

“Heck yeah. Where do you think all that fresh catfish comes from?

What fresh catfish ? Delaney didnt recall seeing a lot of catfish at any meat counter in town. “Is there a big demand for that around here?

“Not yet, but Wes and me figure that with E. coli and that chicken flu, people will start eating butt-loads of fish. He raised a red Solo cup and took a long pull. “Are you married?

Usually she hated that question, but she couldnt get over the obvious fact that Scooter was an even bigger moron than she remembered. “Ah, no. Are you?

“Divorced twice.

“Go figure, she said as she shook her head and shrugged. “See ya around, Scooter. She moved past him but he followed.

“Wanna beer?

“No, Im meeting someone here.

“Bring her along.

“Its not a her.

“Oh. He hung back and called after her. “See ya around, Delaney. Maybe Ill call you sometime.

His threat might have scared her if shed been listed in the telephone book. She wove her way through a group dressed as punkers, to the edge of the dance floor. Abraham Lincoln asked her to dance, but she declined. Her head was beginning to pound and she wanted to go home, but she figured she owed it to Steve to tell him she was leaving. She spied him with Cleopatra this time, playing air guitar to Wynonna Judds “No One Else on Earth.

Her eyes scrunched and she glanced away from Steve. He could be so extremely embarrassing sometimes. Her gaze stopped on a familiar couple dressed as a fifties tough and his girlfriend in a poodle skirt. From the perimeter of dancing couples, Delaney watched Louie swing Lisa behind his back then around front again. He pulled her against his chest and dipped her so low her ponytail brushed the ground. Delaney smiled and her gaze moved to the couple closest to Lisa and Louie. There was no mistaking the tall man spinning his niece like a top. As far as Delaney could tell, Nicks only concession to the holiday was his txapel , his Basque beret. He wore jeans and a tan chambray shirt. Even without a costume, he managed to look like a two-stepping pirate, with that black beret pulled partway down his forehead.

For the first time since shed moved away, Delaney seriously longed to be a part of a family again. Not a superficial controlling family like hers, but a real family. A family that laughed and danced and loved one another without conditions.

Delaney turned away and ran into Elvis. “Excuse me, she said and looked up into Tommy Markhams face complete with fake sideburns.

Tommy glanced from her to the woman at his side. Helen was still dressed as Lady Godiva, still had the crown on her head.

“Hello, Delaney, she greeted her, a smug smile on her face as if she were superior. It was the same “kiss my ass smile shed been giving Delaney since the first grade.

Delaney was too tired to pretend a civility she didnt feel. Her head pounded, fueled by Helens stupid smile. “How did you like my parade entry?

Helens smile fell. “Pathetic, but predictable.

“Not as pathetic as your mangy wig and cheap crown. The music stopped as she stepped forward and shoved her face in Helens. “And if you ever leave me another threatening note, Ill shove it up your nose.

Helens brows lowered and she blinked. “Youre mental. I never left you any note.

“Notes. Delaney didnt believe her for one second. “There were two.

“I dont think Helen would—

“Shut up, Tommy, Delaney interrupted without taking her gaze from her old enemy. “Your stupid notes dont scare me, Helen. Im more annoyed than anything else. She gave one last warning before she walked away, “Stay away from me and anything that belongs to me. Then she turned and pressed her way through the crowd, dodging and weaving, her head pounding. What if it wasnt Helen? Impossible. Helen hated her.

She made it as far as the door before Steve caught up with her.

“Where are you going? he asked, matching his stride to hers.

“Home. I have a headache.

“Cant you stay for just a little while?

“No.

They walked into the parking lot and stopped by Delaneys car. “We havent danced yet.

At the moment the mere thought of dancing with a man who played the front of his pants was just too disturbing for her to handle. “I dont want to dance. Ive had a long day and Im tired. Im going to bed.

“Want some company?

Delaney looked into his cute surfer-boy face and chuckled silently. “Nice try. He leaned forward to kiss her, but her hand on his chest stopped him.

“Okay. He laughed. “Maybe next time.

“Good night, Steve, she said and got into her car. On the way home, Delaney stopped at the Value Rite and bought a king-sized Reeses, a bottle of Coke, and some vanilla-scented bubble bath. Even after a hot soak, she could be in bed by ten.

I never left you any note . Helen had to be lying. Of course she wouldnt admit to writing the notes. Not in front of Tommy.

What if she wasnt lying? For the first time, real fear settled like a bubble in her chest, but she tried to ignore it. Delaney didnt want to think that the author of the note could be anyone other than her old enemy. Someone she didnt know.

When she pulled into the parking lot behind her salon, Nicks Jeep was parked behind his business. His dark silhouette leaned against the back fender, his familiar posture relaxed. The headlights of her Miata cut across his leather jacket as he pushed himself away from the four-wheel drive.

Delaney cut the cars engine and reached for the plastic grocery bag. “Are you following me? she asked as she got out of the car and shut the door.

“Of course.

“Why? The heels of her stilettoes stirred the gravel as she started toward the stairs.

“Tell me about the notes. He reached out and grabbed the grocery bag from her hand as she passed.

“Hey, I can carry that, she protested even as she realized it had been a long time since a man had offered to carry anything for her. Not that Nick had offered, of course.

“Tell me about the notes.

“How did you know about those? He followed so close behind her up the steps, she felt his heavier tread beneath the soles of her shoes. “Did Ann Marie tell you?

“No. I heard your conversation with Helen tonight.

Delaney wondered how many others had heard it as well. Her breath hung in front of her face as she quickly unlocked her door. Since it would have been a total waste of breath, she didnt bother to tell Nick he couldnt come in. “Helen has written me a couple of little notes. She walked into the kitchen and flipped on the light.

Nick followed, unzipping his jacket and filling the small space with his size and presence. He set her groceries on the counter. “What do they say?

“Read for yourself. She dug into her coat pocket and handed him the envelope shed shoved in there earlier. “The other one said something like, Im watching you. She brushed past him and moved into the short hall leading to the bedroom.

“Have you called the sheriff?

“No. She hung her coat in the closet, then retraced her steps. “I cant prove Helen is the one leaving them, although Im certain its her. And besides, the notes arent really threatening, just annoying. From the doorway, she watched him study the note in his hand. His txapel made him look like an exotic Basque freedom fighter.

“Where did you find this?

“By my front door.

“Do you still have the oth—. He looked up and stopped in mid-sentence. His eyes widened a fraction, then his gaze swept her from hair to stilettoes. For the first time in her life, shed rendered Nick speechless. It had taken a hooker outfit to do it.

“Whats the matter?

“Not a thing.

“Dont you have a least one smart or smarmy comment? She tried to stand perfectly still, as if she couldnt feel his gaze touching her everywhere. But in the end she blew it and moved the boa to cover her cleavage pressed against the satin bustier.

“At least one.

“Im not surprised.

He pointed to her waist. “What do you do with the cuffs?

“Youd know better than me.

“Wild thing, he said, a salacious smile tilting the corners of his mouth, “I dont need extra hardware to get the job done.

She rolled her eyes toward the ceiling. “Spare me the details of your sex life.

“Are you sure? You might learn something good.

She folded her arms beneath her breasts. “I doubt you know anything Id want to learn. Then she quickly added, “That wasnt a challenge.