CHAPTER SEVEN
MAXI SAT ON the couch staring blindly at the small television, not really seeing the sitcom that played. She’d already gotten ready for bed in her usual soft shorts and T-shirts. Usually she lost the shorts to sleep, but she wasn’t sure she could be that blatant with Miles so reserved.
He’d kissed her but stopped short.
Honestly, she had no problem telling him what she wanted, except that he’d been angry with her over their last time together and she wasn’t sure it’d be fair to get pushy now. He had a right to set the parameters of their relationship. It would be wrong to come on too strong, knowing he’d take her fear into account, and might do something he’d rather not do.
Besides, if he wanted her, wouldn’t he say so? Like her, Miles wasn’t exactly the shy type.
Hearing the shower shut off, she licked her lips. Tension, both sexual and the kind tinged with fear, thrummed through her bloodstream. She kept her gaze glued to the TV, but that didn’t calm her rioting thoughts.
As she’d told him, every step he took squeaked so that she could almost track his movements in her mind...and imagine him breathtakingly naked. She went stiff and still when he stepped out of the bedroom. In her periphery she saw him coming toward her.
Freshly showered, wearing flannel pants and nothing else, he stopped in front of her.
Good God, those loose-waisted pants hung low. Her heartbeat quickened at the sight of ripped abs dusted with dark hair, at those cut muscles over his hips angling down as if pointing to the prize and at that happy trail of downy hair that traveled from his navel to beneath the waistband.
“I already brushed my teeth. You?”
She nodded.
“Ready for bed, then?”
It was only ten, but after the day they’d had, of course he would assume she was tired. She stood and came eye level with his chest. How could he be so wide in the shoulders, but so trim in the waist and hips?
And how could he smell so sinfully good?
Before she grabbed him, Maxi turned on leaden feet and went to the base of the stairs. Right behind her was the room Miles would use. No, she wouldn’t look. If she did, she’d end up in there.
She put one foot on the step.
Miles took her arm. “Maxi.”
“Hmm?”
He dropped his head in clear frustration. She waited, and finally he turned her to face him. “Why don’t you just ask?”
“What?”
He smoothed her hair, now loose from the braid. “You don’t want to sleep alone. We both know it. Just ask if you can sleep with me.”
Had she been noble for no reason? To be sure, she asked, “That’s what this is? You were waiting for me to ask?”
He cupped her face. “That’s right. You’re going to ask, and I’m going to say yes—but this time it’s going to be on my terms.”
Relief that she wouldn’t have to sleep alone outshone everything else. “Okay.” And then out of curiosity, she added, “But what exactly are your terms?”
“Let’s get in the bed, then I’ll tell you.”
* * *
“THE PILLOWS ARE NEW,” Maxi said as she crawled in. “And I washed all the bedding.”
“You told me that.” Knowing she was nervous, Miles felt like an ass for not reassuring her earlier. While riding on his anger and wounded ego over the assumption that he’d been dumped, the plans had made sense. He’d wanted the upper hand, and what better way to get it than to hold out?
Now? Now he wanted her confident and relaxed. He wanted her trust. He just plain wanted her.
Leaving on the stupid sleep pants, he crawled into bed next to her, turned out the light and made an attempt to get comfortable.
Maxi immediately turned toward him, one hand sliding across his abs. “Miles...”
“Shh.” He caught her hand, raising it up to hold against his chest. Safer territory—but still he burned with need. “We should get some sleep.”
Her silence felt palpable, until she whispered, “You don’t want me anymore?”
Damn, how could he be immune to that wounded tone? “You know better.” If her hand had wandered a little lower, she’d have the proof of how much he wanted her. “But the doc said you could be feeling the effects of that drug for up to twelve hours.”
She snatched her hand away from him. “You know that I’m not.”
Quietly, reminding her of their past, he said, “I know you were there one minute, gone the next, and now you’re back—”
“We’re in my house now, not yours.”
“And that makes all the difference? Why, Maxi? Because you can’t leave, or because you’re scared and want to keep me close to feel safer?”
Her indrawn breath made him feel even worse. He didn’t want to accuse her, but the facts were there, a solid wall between them.
“You say you’re interested again, but how are either of us to know if that’s truth, or circumstances? I’d rather wait and get things figured out.”
Temper gathered as conspicuous tension in her slim body culminated with a stated “Fine.” She jerked around, her back to him. A fist landed on her pillow, once, twice, then she curled up tight.
Away from him.
But she didn’t leave, which proved his point. Right?
Even pissed, she wanted to be with another human being. Not him specifically, but anyone who could be a shield from her terror.
Pretending he’d missed the anger, Miles spooned her, one arm sliding under the pillow to cradle her head, the other wrapped around her waist. He aligned his legs with hers so that he surrounded her. And protected her from her demons.
It’d be a tough way to sleep, but for Maxi, he’d suffer in silence.
An hour later, neither of them was asleep when the soft flash of lightning penetrated the curtains. He felt Maxi go alert. He, too, opened his eyes to stare toward the window.
The storm started quiet, a slow strobe that gradually built until thunder rattled the windowpanes. One crack of lightning came so close it lit up the bedroom like a beacon.
In the next second, the house went utterly quiet. No light, no sound.
Maxi came up to an elbow.
He tightened his hold on her. “Electricity is out.”
In a whisper, she said, “I know.”
“Another example of why solar lights are great.” He said, “Stay put and I’ll check it out.”
“No.” Her hands clutched at him.
“I just want to make sure, that’s all.”
“How?” she demanded. “The circuit breaker box is in the basement, and it’s locked up. This is a small town and the lights go out in storms.”
“It’s happened before?”
“Yes.”
And she’d been alone. Was it before or after the trouble started? Miles’s eyes had adjusted enough that he could see her in the dark. “Okay, then. I’ll just make sure we’re locked up.” That would help her to rest easy, he figured. “And maybe find a flashlight?”
“I’ll come with you.”
She crawled over him before he could stop her. For one heart-stopping moment, her hips straddled his, then she slid off the side of the bed and tugged on his hand. “Come on.”
Using his cell phone for light, Miles went with her into the kitchen, where she pulled a hefty utility flashlight from beneath the sink. Together, they checked each door and window. Finding it all secure, he let her lead him to the living room, where she chose a fat candle in a holder, then located matches on the open shelves.
In the bedroom, she put the candle on the dresser and lit it. The mellow glow stretched out to the bed but didn’t quite reach the shadowy corners of the room.
With that done, she crawled back into the bed, propping up against the headboard to wait for him. “Storms don’t bother me,” she said. “Not usually.”
“I like them.” He put his cell back on the nightstand and got in next to her.
Nodding, she agreed, “They’re sexy.” Then with a narrow-eyed glare, she added, “Usually.”
“You’re still angry with me?” She should have lost that edge by now.
“Not really, no.” Under the sheet, she pulled up her knees and crossed her arms over them. “I’m mad at myself, actually. You don’t believe me about anything, and I have no one but myself to blame.”
“I believe you,” he protested.
She shook her head. “No, you don’t. You think I stopped wanting you, when that’s absurd.” Her gaze moved over his body and she said again, “Absurd.”
Appreciating her admiration, Miles smiled.
“You think I only want you now because I’m spooked, but if that was true, believe me, Gary would have been happy to play big bad protector. It’s not a natural fit for him, being the selfish, cheating bastard that he is, but he’d have been here in a heartbeat if I’d asked.”
Now Miles scowled. He didn’t want her thinking that way.
“I never stopped wanting you. I thought I was being noble by leaving you alone. I mean, who’d want to get dragged into my dicked-up life? For once, I was trying to prioritize the right way instead of just winging it and hurting people along the way.”
“I’m a big boy, honey. I can take care of myself. You should have trusted me to make that decision on my own.”
Her gaze, dark and sharp in the candlelight, cut to him. “The way you should trust me to know what I want?”
Ah, hell. He was only a man. He’d always gone after what he wanted, and he wanted Maxi.
A small voice in his head reminded him that he’d wanted an MMA career, too, but he’d accepted the reality of altered opportunity.
He couldn’t change the facts on his fight career, so he shook off those misgivings. This was totally different. Maxi was here, alert, clearheaded and stating her case.
She wanted him.
While he mulled all that over in his head, she held very still. Not until his gaze met hers and he said, “Come here,” in a rough growl did she let out her breath in a long rush.
He reached for her at the same time that she threw herself against him. It was as if they’d both been fighting the inevitable.
Their mouths meshed, not with slow seduction, but desperate hunger. He took her to her back, one leg locking over hers to keep her still. Her fingers tunneled into his hair, her grip tight, almost desperate.
Kissing a path over her jaw to her throat, Miles fumbled to raise her shirt. She released him to help and the second his naked chest met hers, she groaned, her body arching into him.
He’d thought about this moment a lot, but plans disappeared under the force of overwhelming lust. Not just lust, because that he could handle. It was the gentler emotions that stole his breath, the fact that this was Maxi, that she was both vulnerable and demanding, sweet and scorching hot. She set him off like no other woman could, and he loved it, craved the wildness and the ultimate satisfaction.
Rearing up over her, he tugged the shirt off and tossed it to the floor. He shifted to the side of her to strip away the soft shorts and tiny panties. Helping, Maxi lifted her hips, and the second she was naked, she reached for him.
But not just yet. He caught her hands while he looked at her body bathed in candlelight. “God, you’re beautiful.”
“Right now, Miles,” she insisted. “Take off your pants.”
He shook his head. “Let me look at you first.”
A little desperately, she said, “You’ve seen me before.”
“And I’ve missed looking at you.” Now, with her completely naked, he saw that she was slimmer, her hip bones more noticeable, her stomach concave. She’d had so much on her plate and stubbornly hadn’t asked him for help as soon as she should have.
He didn’t question wanting to make her life easier. Hell, he’d been hooked before she disappeared on him. Having her back, understanding, at least in part, her reasons for not sticking around, only ripened everything he’d felt.
Her breasts, still full and firm, drew him first, and he bent to take one nipple into his mouth.
Moaning, she tried to tug her hands free.
“Stop fighting me.” He caught her nipple in his teeth for a careful tug that made her whole body stiffen, then moved to the other breast.
“This was my idea,” she protested.
“Great idea.” After circling with his tongue, he sucked hard, heard her keening cry of excitement and lifted up to kiss her. “But it was never your idea alone. I haven’t stopped wanting you. Not for a single second.”
Understanding caused a smile. “Good.” She breathed hard, her eyes dark and determined. “I want to touch you, too.”
“Soon.” He looked down her body again. “I’ve missed the taste of you so fucking much.”
“Miles,” she groaned.
He should have given her more time, but he couldn’t wait. “Open your legs, Maxi.”
With a small whimper, she bent one knee out to the side.
Still holding her hands in one of his, Miles stroked her, over her soft breasts, down her ribs and flat belly, over each silky thigh—and then between them.
She lifted into his touch.
He didn’t mind that. Her urgency was yet another turn-on. This time, though, he’d keep control. She needed relief? He’d give it to her, and devastate her in the process.
Cupping his palm over her mound, he felt her heat. She immediately moved against him, showing him what she needed. One of the things he’d enjoyed most about Maxi was her uninhibited response.
Letting his fingers explore, he watched her face. Her eyes were closed, her head tipped back. When he stroked a finger into her, she groaned low and bit her bottom lip.
So damned sexy.
Since she was already wet, he added a second finger, stroking deep.
She almost came.
He hadn’t realized she was so close to the edge, and now that he did, he couldn’t hold back. Scooting down in the bed, he adjusted them both so he could rest between her legs, lift her hips and bring her to his mouth.
“Oh God,” she gasped, her thighs closing against his jaw at the same time her fingers clenched in his hair.
While breathing in the rich scent of her, tasting her sweetness, he ate her with stabbing strokes of his tongue, rhythmic flicks and gentle suction.
All too soon, a rising climax twisted her body. Fast breaths matched her frantic movements. Reaching up, he covered her breasts with his hands, his fingertips lightly playing with her nipples.
Lightning flashed and thunder boomed, but they barely noticed.
When she groaned out her climax, long and raw and real, he held her steady, making sure she got every drop of pleasure he could give.
The second she eased, he left the bed to grab his wallet and find a condom.
“Hurry,” she breathed, her breaths still labored.
Settling over her, he said, “I’m here.” He hooked her legs with his arms, lifting them high, and sank into her silky heat.
Her tender inner muscles, still convulsing with pleasure, squeezed him tight.
“So perfect,” he whispered, rearing back to drive in deep again and again. “So damned perfect.”
He’d planned to treat her gently, but his good intentions went off the rails. Not that she minded. He took her hard and fast and she matched him, crying out a second time right before his own release slammed through him.
* * *
WITH MILES’S BODY heavy on hers, her muscles deliciously free of tension, Maxi teased her fingers over his damp skin. She loved the feel of him. And his potent scent...she inhaled slowly, filling herself with him.
Speaking of filling—he remained inside her, just not so much now after that numbing orgasm.
Unable to resist, she pressed a kiss to his shoulder, hugged him to her and sighed. Thoughts of tomorrow, of the remaining trouble, tried to intrude, but she didn’t let it.
When Miles started to move, she held him tight. “No. Not yet.”
Lifting up anyway, he moved his mouth over hers in a warm, thorough kiss that was both stirring and emotional. Matching his tone to hers, he said softly, “I have to get rid of the condom, honey, or we’re taking chances.”
She knew he was right. The last thing she needed in her life was a baby. Irrationally, the thought of having a baby with Miles sent a little thrill down her spine.
And that scared her enough that she released him, making her tone teasing when she said, “Then by all means, but try to hurry. I need to cuddle.”
He kissed her again. “No more than a minute.”
When he stepped out to the hall, he didn’t take the candle or flashlight with him. No doubt, Miles had great night vision to go with all his other sterling qualities.
Coming up to her elbow, she watched for him, listening as water ran in the bathroom next door. She didn’t hear his footsteps, but when he appeared in the doorway, she smiled. The candlelight played over his magnificent body, showcasing his height and muscles, the long flat planes, emphasizing dips and bulges. She loved the light covering of hair on his chest, that sexy trail that bisected his body and expanded again around his sex. He had mouthwatering abs, long muscular thighs, hairy calves... So incredibly perfect.
He paused by the candle but left the decision to her.
“I don’t need it now.”
Without a word, he bent to blow out the flame, and then she felt the mattress dip. He reached for her, but she was already curling against him.
“It’s gotten warmer,” she said, “now that the air is off. Will I smother you?”
For an answer, he went to his back and used his arm around her to tuck her to his side. “You can sleep?”
“Mmm.” Yes, now she could sleep. “Thank you, Miles.”
He laughed softly into the darkness. “Anytime, honey.”
Oh, she liked the sound of that.
* * *
MILES DIDN’T REMEMBER much after listening to Maxi’s breathing go deep and slow in slumber. He hadn’t lasted long beyond that. Knowing she was relaxed, finally getting the rest she needed, allowed him to do the same.
Then suddenly he heard the sound of a car door closing. Eyes opening, he found dreary sunshine creeping through the windows. Without electricity, the air felt muggy and thick. Maxi’s slender body was glued to his side.
Smiling slightly in satisfaction, he kissed her temple, then lifted his head and listened, wondering if he’d imagined that sound or not.
It took only a second before he heard footsteps coming up the porch and muttered, “Damn.”
“Mmm-mmm,” Maxi mumbled, snuggling in closer.
“Wake up, honey. We have company.”
Her eyes shot wide. She half sat up, giving him a beautiful view of her breasts. “Company?”
“Probably Leese, but he’s earlier than I expected. Stay put.”
She latched on to him before he could move. “I go where you go.”
Damn. He’d hoped she would awake today feeling more secure, but he wasn’t surprised that she’d still need more time. “Then pull on some clothes,” he said, already reaching for his jeans. “The guys will like you a little too much if you meet them like that.”
She glanced down at her body, grinned and slid off the side of the bed. “I’m only immodest with you, so no worries on that.”
Wondering if that somehow made him special, he said, “Good to know.”
Wearing only the shorts and T-shirt, both now wrinkled from a night on the floor, and her hair a little wild, Maxi headed for the door.
Hell, he thought, already annoyed. She probably thought she only looked a mess, when in fact she looked like a woman who’d just spent an active night in bed with a man. Not that he needed to hide his relationship from his friends, but he’d as soon not hit them with it first thing either.
He caught her before she got the door open. “Allow me to do my job, please.”
With another cheeky grin, she gestured for him to go ahead.
Sex had certainly lightened her mood. Or maybe it was the solid sleep. Hard to tell.
Miles opened the door with a smile that blanched when he saw it wasn’t Leese standing there, but a township cop. Dressed in a tan uniform shirt and pants, the guy was probably five-eleven or so, toned, maybe late twenties or early thirties. Brown hair, blue eyes and an exaggerated look of surprise that Maxi wasn’t alone.
“Can I help you?” Miles asked.
The cop said, “Who are you?” at almost the same time.
Maxi squeezed in next to him. “Good morning, Fletcher.”
The man’s gaze went from Miles to Maxi and back again with a lot of speculation. Brows tightening, he remarked with loads of suspicion, “I noticed a different car in your driveway.”
“The SUV is mine,” Miles said, without explaining where they’d left her car.
The cop wasn’t appeased. “Everything okay here?”
“You mean because of the storm?” Maxi pretended to be oblivious to the real question. “Yes. Power is still out, but that happens, right?” Squinting against the glare that penetrated the gray clouds, she looked up at the overcast sky. “It’s still so stormy, I don’t guess it’ll be back on anytime soon?”
Fletcher pulled off his hat, slapped it against his leg with impatient curiosity while weighing his words. “Probably not.” Giving Miles a probing stare, he asked, “Do I know you?”
“We’ve never met.”
“Still...” Suddenly his eyes widened. “Wait. Aren’t you...?”
Maxi put a hand on Miles’s arm. “This is Miles Dartman. Miles, meet Officer Fletcher Bowman.”
“You’re The Legend.”
Well, shit. Seeing no way out, Miles gave a slight nod. “Used to be, anyway. I’ve left MMA.”
With new fascination, Maxi asked, “You recognize him?”
“Sure.” Fletcher shifted uneasily. “If you don’t mind me asking, why’d you retire?”
“I mind you asking.”
That statement sent palpable tension thrumming in the air. Fletcher stared even harder. In turn, Miles kept his expression inscrutable.
Filling the silence, Maxi chimed in with “Miles, do you remember I told you there’d been a few other issues here? Fletcher was nice enough to check them out for me.”
Fletcher finally drew his gaze away from Miles. “I hadn’t realized that you had company.”
“So you were checking on me? That’s so nice of you. Thank you.”
Fletcher said, “I’m just sorry I never did find anything.”
“Maybe you didn’t know where to look.” Miles gave a semblance of a smile. “No worries, though. I’ll take care of it going forward.”
Fletcher didn’t like that at all. “I wanted to stay in touch to see—”
“If we actually need anything, we’ll call you.”
The dismissal was clear—something he’d learned from Sahara—but old Fletch didn’t take the bait.
Deciding to ignore Miles, he turned back to Maxi. “Could I have a word?”
She opened her mouth, but Miles said, “We haven’t had coffee yet, but we can give you two minutes.”
Maxi stared at him like he was nuts. To counter that, Miles put his arm around her shoulders.
When she didn’t pull away, Fletcher slowly nodded in understanding. He didn’t like it, but he accepted the evidence in front of him.
That’s right, asshole. She’s no longer alone.
“All right.” He nodded to her. “That’s how you want it?”
Confusion dimmed her attempt at a bright smile. “Yes, of course.”
“I thought you were still out here all alone, and I wanted to make sure you were okay, since you’d been worried.”
“Worries you dismissed,” Miles reminded him.
Fletcher ran a hand over his head before addressing Miles again. “I never dismissed anything. But there wasn’t any evidence.”
“Other than her word.”
“Miles,” she protested, appalled.
Fletcher locked his jaw, but after a breath he visibly relaxed. “When I pulled up, I noticed the extra lighting on the barn. That’s your doing?”
“I put in the lights, yes, because Maxi asked me to.”
“Has there been more trouble, then?”
Maxi started to reply, and Miles gave her a squeeze. For whatever reason, gut instinct maybe, he didn’t trust Officer Fletcher Bowman. He wasn’t about to give the man any more details. For damn sure, he didn’t want Maxi to mention that she’d been drugged.
“Nothing I can’t handle,” Miles said.
“I’d like to know—”
“I’d like coffee,” he interrupted. “And since it looks like we’ll need to head into town for it, we’ll let you get on your way.”
That dismissal was more blatant. Fletcher stewed for several moments before regaining his voice. “Power is restored in town, so you’re in luck. It’s just the outlying farms that are still being worked on.”
“Thank you,” Maxi said, trying to make up for Miles’s slights.
Fletcher turned to her again, this time with a sheepish smile. “I should have thought to bring you a cup.”
“That’s so considerate, but I’ll survive.”
Not liking the way the cop looked at Maxi, or the friendly way she replied, Miles asked, “You live around here, Officer?”
“Born and raised.”
“Keeping your own family here, too, then?”
He shook his head. “It’s just me.” He eyed Maxi and added, “Maybe someday I’ll settle down.” He hesitated a second more, put his hat back on his head and turned to go. “Y’all take care and let me know if you need anything.”
Miles watched him walk back across the yard, his black combat-style boots leaving muddy tracks in the sodden ground. He got into his marked Suburban with the township police logo on the side.
Maxi stood frozen beside him, not moving, not speaking, no doubt flummoxed by his reception to the cop.
And he couldn’t even explain. Jealousy could sum up his immediate distrust and suspicion. But was that it? Only jealousy? He wasn’t sure.
As soon as the officer disappeared down the long drive, Miles preempted her questions by saying, “An important part to being a bodyguard is trusting instincts.” And with that, he turned and headed to the bathroom.
“But what does that mean?” Maxi raced after him.
“It means I don’t trust him.”
“Why?”
He glanced over his shoulder at her. “I don’t like the way he looks at you.”
Stopping, she propped her hands on her rounded hips. “You were obnoxious to him because he was nice?”
“There’s nice, and then there’s interested-nice. He’s interested-nice.” Miles closed the bathroom door on her. He needed a minute, damn it. It wasn’t every day that jealousy flattened him. In fact, he thought this might be a first.
Maxi hit the door once. “I had to go, too, you know!”
Yeah, waking and then greeting guests wasn’t the usual course of things. “It was your boyfriend that interrupted the morning,” he growled. “If you can’t wait, go upstairs.” As he flushed the toilet and stepped to the sink, he saw a hickey on his shoulder. Slowly smiling, he said, “Or wait thirty seconds more.”
Through the closed door, he clearly heard her say, “Blast,” then listened to the faded sound of her footsteps going up the creaky stairs.
Either she really had to go, or she was feeling a little more secure today. He hoped for the latter. A good night’s sleep, he knew, could work wonders on a person’s perspective.
With Maxi otherwise occupied, he washed up and brushed his teeth, finger-combed his hair, then went back to the bedroom for fresh clothes. Hearing the shower upstairs and knowing she’d be a minute, he dug two condoms out of his shaving kit and put them in his pocket.
Tempted as he was to join her right now, he stepped back out on the porch with his cell phone.
The air smelled amazingly fresh, like summer rain, wet grass and electricity in a blender. Noticing the muddy footprints left on the porch, he walked around them and, barefoot, sat on the top step to call Leese.
The cell reception was sketchy at best, so as soon as his friend answered, he said, “If I lose you, it’s the storm.”
“No problem,” Leese said. “I should be to you within the half hour.”
“Great. Justice has her car?”
“He’s right behind me, probably still bitching.” Without waiting for Miles to ask, he explained, “Justice barely fits in it, and he definitely looks out of place in a small lemon yellow hatchback.”
Picturing it, Miles grinned. “Power is out here, so how about bringing coffee and breakfast?”
“Bacon and eggs, or donuts?”
“Donuts work for me.”
Leese chuckled. “Sahara has us all addicted to pastry.”
Yes, his boss did like her morning sugar highs. “I don’t know Maxi’s preferences yet, so maybe a bagel or something, too?”
“Sure, no problem.”
After thanking him, Miles went back inside and rummaged in the kitchen for a way to clean the porch before the mud dried. He found a long-handled scrub brush and a bucket that he filled with soapy water. He was just finishing up, rinsing the porch with clear water, when Maxi appeared in the doorway.
A subtle amount of makeup emphasized her dark eyes, creating a stark contrast to the blond hair that fell soft and loose around her shoulders. Wearing a peach camisole and white shorts, she took his breath away.
He recalled, in scorching detail, everything they’d done the night before. He wanted to do it again, right now, in fact.
Thirty minutes, though, wouldn’t be near enough time for him to get his fill. Bare minimum, he needed an hour. Preferably longer.
So he’d wait, and let the anticipation build for both of them. Yet he couldn’t resist saying, “Damn, you’re beautiful.”
Her slow smile only made her more appealing. “Don’t try to sideline me with compliments, Legend. I want to know what that whole macho-man conflict was about.”
“No conflict,” Miles denied, ignoring her use of his fight name.
“Baloney.” She sauntered toward him on small bare feet. “I half expected you guys to whip out your dicks and compare sizes.”
He choked, but the strangled surprise turned into a laugh. “I bet I would have won.” After a quick, firm kiss to her teasing mouth, he promised, “But I don’t whip it out for dudes, so rest easy on that.” Gesturing at the porch, he added, “Your boyfriend tromped mud everywhere. We need to add some welcome mats to the list—or in his case, just a good-manners mat.”
She frowned at the porch, then picked up on what he’d said. “He’s not interested in me personally and you know it. He was just being a good public servant, not flirting.”
Miles gave her a long, pointed look. “He wants in your panties. Make no mistake.” Going back into the house, he stored the bucket and scrub brush in the pantry and tried to shake off his new, territorial mood.
Maxi stopped in the kitchen doorway, her expression perplexed. “Thanks for cleaning that up.”
“Not a problem.” He pulled out a chair at the small table for her. “Let’s talk.”
“You’re being ridiculous. Fletcher isn’t—”
“He is, but there are other things to discuss.”
“All right.” She dropped into the chair with a huff. “Let’s hear it.”
“First, we’re not updating good old Fletch on anything. Unless I say otherwise, whatever happens here, stays here.”
She stared at him in awe. “You’re serious? You meet the man for two minutes and suddenly agree with me that I shouldn’t tell the police about being drugged and taken from my own home?”
“We’ll tell the police. Just not him.”
She sat back. “But...he’s the police around here.”
“He’s township police.”
“Exactly. He knows everyone in the area.”
“And could be biased because of it.” Adamant, Miles shook his head, and now, finally, he felt like he had his feet planted on solid ground. He had good, sound reasoning behind his dislike. “Small towns build alliances. You begin to think of people only as you see them. He might know someone who’s totally psycho, but to him the guy is just the awkward kid from high school who tortured bugs.”
Maxi blinked. “That’s...”
“Or if he does know the truth, he could be covering for someone because of a long history together.”
Frowning, Maxi said, “I just didn’t want to bother him again.”
That attitude alone made Miles want to take the cop apart. Bother him? For doing his damned job? “If it comes to that, we’ll get hold of the county police, but I don’t think we need to do that yet. Calling them in would just tip your hand, and maybe whoever is doing this will go to ground. If you want me to catch the bastard, I need him to make another move.”
Suspicious now, she asked, “We’re not still talking about Fletcher, are we?”
“No.” At least, not completely. But he couldn’t shake his distrust of the guy.
“Well...okay, then.” She tapped her fingertips on the tabletop. “God, I need coffee.”
In the design wreck of the kitchen, Miles wasn’t sure he could get the coffee down, but he told her, “My friends will be here soon. They’re bringing coffee with them.”
“Bless them.” She turned her face up to his and got caught in his intense scrutiny.
With a sigh, she asked, “Now what?”