Familiar Adversaries. Patricia Thayer

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СКАЧАТЬ he drew her close again. “How could I? You were every teenage boy’s fantasy.”

      Her pulse raced. Hearing his confession, feeling his hard body pressed to hers, she hadn’t the strength to pull away. She hated her weakness for this man.

      Shane’s head lowered to hers, and she eagerly met his mouth. She whimpered as her lips parted and his tongue pushed inside. Sliding her hands up his chest, she circled his neck. All the feelings she’d buried so long ago suddenly surfaced. Every dream she’d had about being with Shane again hadn’t compared to this. Desire spiraled through her body, exploding through her senses, making her feel a hunger she’d never known.

      Then, all too soon, it ended.

      With a curse Shane released her and turned away. The rejection was excruciating for Mariah. Once again she’d let Shane Hunter hurt her.

      His gaze met hers. “That was a mistake. The last thing we need is this kind of complication.”

      She took a shaky breath, trying to slow her pulse. “I agree. I shouldn’t have baited you.”

      He nodded. “How’s this going to make for a working relationship?”

      “If you think I’m going to resign, you’re wrong. I don’t give up that easily.”

      “Then we better set some guidelines.”

      She didn’t like him being so calm and controlled over what just happened. “How about the first one is you keeping your hands to yourself? Let’s keep this a business relationship—nothing more.”

      He started to speak, then nodded. “And how about you not coming out here alone in the middle of the night?”

      She nodded. “And you tell me when a supplier has a problem with delivery. I’m not a tyrant. Something can be worked out. It’s important to me, too, that we use local suppliers for this project.”

      “How about if you don’t run home every night and tell Daddy every detail of the day? I don’t want to give him any ammunition to use against me.”

      She frowned. “I don’t discuss our business with anyone. But I do live with my parents…at least temporarily.”

      He cocked an eyebrow. “Are you looking for a place of your own?”

      She wasn’t going to tell him about the run-ins with her father. “I have my own apartment in Phoenix. I haven’t lived with my parents since before college. I would like a temporary place while I’m here, but that’s impossible to find without having to sign a lease.”

      “If you’re not looking for anything special, I know of a studio apartment.”

      “I’m interested.”

      He nodded. “Then meet me at the Good Time Café for breakfast.”

      “I don’t have time for breakfast.”

      “You will tomorrow.” He picked up her purse and handed it to her. “And now we’re both going home to bed.” She tensed when he placed his hand against her back and guided her to the door. “Tomorrow we’ll put our heads together and figure out how to do our jobs.”

      “I like the sound of that.”

      “And I mean it, Mariah, no more coming out here alone late at night. It’s too dangerous.”

      “Would it help if I told you I know karate?” When he frowned, she went on, “Maybe if someone was here it would keep the vandals away.”

      “Or they could come after you.” He escorted her to the door. “The only way you get to be out here is if I’m with you. We have to start working together. Agreed?”

      When he looked at her with those blue eyes, she couldn’t deny him what he wanted.

      “Agreed,” she said, knowing she was in big trouble.

      At six-thirty the next morning, Mariah walked into the Good Time Café. She wasn’t surprised that the fifties-style diner was crowded. The place had always been a popular spot in Haven and that obviously hadn’t changed. She glanced around at the red vinyl booths that lined the windows. A young waitress was rushing through the group of tables refilling mugs as the jukebox played an old song by the Supremes, “Baby Love.”

      She recognized several of the crew as she continued to search the room. Finally she found her man seated at the counter. A jolt of awareness hit her. One curious kiss did not make Shane Hunter her man. They couldn’t afford to let anything else happen between them. They needed to keep all their concentration on the project.

      She started across the room toward Shane. He was engrossed in conversation with the man next to him and he suddenly threw back his head and laughed. It had been a long time since Mariah had seen Shane this relaxed. She knew that working with her wasn’t easy for him.

      Shane swung around on the chrome-and-vinyl stool. The smile faded a bit as he got up and came to greet her. “Good, you made it.”

      “I figured if I didn’t show, you’d come and get me.”

      “You got that right.” He took her arm and guided her to the counter. “Mariah, do you remember my brother, Nate?”

      With a smile she offered her hand. “I hear it’s Sheriff Hunter now.”

      The tall, handsome man in his khaki uniform stood as he took her hand. “Not for much longer. I’m retiring in another a few months. Nice to see you again, Mariah. It’s been a few years.”

      She was surprised that the former football star remembered her. “Yes it has. I’ve been living in the Phoenix area.”

      “Shane tells me you’re doing a good job of cleaning up his act.”

      “Well, what can I say? He needs it.” She sat down on the empty stool next to him.

      Nate laughed, reminding her so much of his younger brother. “Good luck. The family gave up on him years ago.”

      “Hey, I’m right here,” Shane called out. “Nate, don’t you have a job to do or a wife to go home to?”

      “Not at the moment.” Smiling, he turned back to Mariah. “I think things are a lot more interesting right here.”

      Shane hated how Nate was acting. Smiling at her and being so sickeningly sweet. The man was married. Just then a customer vacated the stool on the other side of Mariah, and Shane sat down.

      “Well, we have business to discuss, so get lost,” he said, hating his sudden possessiveness over Mariah.

      Mariah looked at him. “We don’t start work until seven. Since I’m here, how about some food?”

      “You want breakfast, I’ll get you breakfast,” Shane said as he waved and got the attention of the waitress.

      She hurried to the counter. “What can I get for you, Shane? More coffee?”

      He smiled back at the teenager. СКАЧАТЬ