retaining his hold as he moved out of the stream of traffic and over to the curb. He didn’t release her. “Look, I’m sorry. Don’t go and get weepy on me, okay?”
“You, Mr. Sanders, are an obnoxious ass!” Emily jerked against him, but he held firm. “I always cry when I’m angry.”
“Well…don’t be angry then.”
Unbelievable. The man had been derisive, insulting and arrogant from the moment she’d met him, but now his tone had changed to a soft, gentle rebuke. He had a problem with female tears? She almost considered giving in to a real tantrum just to make him suffer, but that had never been her way. The last thing she wanted from Judd was pity.
“Ignore me,” she muttered, feeling like a fool. “It’s been a trying week. But I am determined to see this thing through. I’ll find the man who sold that gun. I have a plan, a very solid plan. I could certainly use your help, but if you’re only going to be nasty, I believe I’d rather just find someone else.”
JUDD WAS AMAZED by her speech. Then his eyes narrowed. No way in hell was he going to let her run loose. She was a menace. She was a pain.
She was unbelievably innocent and naive.
Judd shook his head, then steered the truck back into the street. “Believe me, lady. I’m about as nice as you’re going to find in these parts. Besides, I think I might be interested in your little plan, after all. I mean, what the hell? A thousand bucks is a thousand bucks. That was the agreed amount, right?”
Emily nodded.
Lifting one shoulder, Judd said, “Can’t very well turn down money like that.”
“No. No, I wouldn’t think so.” She watched him warily, and Judd thought, what the hell? It would be easier to work with her, than around her. If he turned her down, she’d only manage to get in his way, or get herself hurt. That was such a repugnant thought, he actually groaned.
He’d have to keep his cool, maintain his cover, and while he was at it, he could keep an eye on her. Maybe he could pretend to help her, but actually steer her far enough away from the trouble that she wouldn’t be any problem at all.
Yeah, right.
It would probably be better to try to convince her to give up her ridiculous plan first. He glanced at her, saw the rigid way she held herself, and knew exactly how to dissuade her. “There are a few conditions we should discuss.”
Emily heaved a deep breath. “Conditions?”
“Yeah. The money’s great. But I’ll still have to work nights at the bar. Actually, only Tuesdays and Thursdays. Ladies’ nights.”
Emily hastened to reassure him. “I don’t have a problem with that. I wouldn’t want to interfere with your…career.”
His laugh was quick and sharp, then he shook his head. “Right. My career.” He glanced at her again, grinning, wondering if she could possibly realize how uncomfortable he was with that particular career. “That’s not the only thing, though.”
“There’s something else?”
“Yeah. You see, we’ll need a place to meet. Neutral ground and all that. Someplace away from prying eyes.”
Emily stared.
“You stand out like a sore thumb, honey. We can’t just have you traipsing around in that neighborhood. People will wonder what you’re up to. It could blow the whole thing.”
“I see.”
“My apartment is close to here. No one would pay any attention to you coming in or out. It wouldn’t even matter what time we met. We’ll need to work closely together, finesse these plans of yours. What d’ya say?”
Her mouth opened, but all that came out was, “Oh God.”
Lifting one dark eyebrow, Judd felt triumphant. She was already realizing the implications of spending so much time alone with him. He hid his relief and said, “Come again?”
Emily shook her head, then at the same time said, “Yes, that is…I suppose…” She heaved a sigh, straightened her back, and then nodded. “Okay.”
Judd stared at her, trying not to show his disbelief. “What do you mean, okay?” He’d thought for certain, since everything else had failed, that this would send her running. But no. She seemed to like the damn idea. She was actually smiling now.
“I mean, if you think we could successfully operate from your apartment, I’ll agree to meet you there.”
Contrary female. “Emily…” He faltered. He liked saying her name, liked how it sounded, all fresh and pure. She looked at him, with those huge, doe eyes steady on his face. She was too trusting. She was a danger to herself. If he didn’t keep close tabs on her, she’d end up in trouble. He was sure of it.
“You were going to say something, Mr. Sanders?”
Nothing she would like hearing. He shook his head. “Just be quiet and let me think.”
Obediently, she turned away and stared out her window. He wasn’t buying her compliance for a minute. He had a gut feeling there wasn’t an obedient bone in her slim body. He also suspected she was as stubborn as all hell, once she’d set her mind on something. And she was set to find a gun dealer.
The truck was heating up. It was late spring and even though the nights were still a little chilly, the days were warming up into the seventies. Without any fanfare, and apparently trying not to draw undue attention to herself, Emily began unbuttoning the oversize coat. Judd watched from the corner of his eye.
Just to razz her, because she took the bait so easily, he asked, “Would you like me to give you a drumroll?”
She turned to face him. “I beg your pardon?”
She looked honestly confused. He tried to hide his grin. “Every good striptease needs music.”
“I’m not stripping!”
He shrugged, amused by the blush on her cheeks that was visible even in the dark interior of the truck. She was apparently unused to masculine teasing, maybe even to men in general.
He snorted at his own foolishness. It was men like himself, coarse and inelegant, that she wasn’t used to. He imagined she had plenty of sophisticated guys clamoring for her attention. And that fact nettled him, even though it shouldn’t. Grumbling, he said, “You should try it. Everyone should experience stripping just once. It’s a rush.”
She held her coat together with clenched fingers, her look incredulous. If she knew him better, she’d know what a lie he’d just told. He hated taking off his clothes in front of so many voracious women. But she didn’t know him, and most likely never would. He should keep that fact in mind before he did something stupid. Like what, you idiot? Like promising you’d take care of her gun dealer for her, so she could take her cute little backside and big brown eyes back home where it’s safe? No, he most definitely couldn’t do that, no matter how much he’d like to.
They came to the entrance to Crystal Lakes. “Which way?”
He’d
