The Secret Millionaire. Ryanne Corey

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      “Silver hair?” Zack seized on that one immediately. “Then he’s old?”

      Anna frowned at him. “No, he just has prematurely silver hair. It’s beautiful. As I was saying, Frank contends that emotions are something to be governed, not something that governs us. He talks like that, kind of stuffy. But he’s fascinating to listen to, and the stories he tells—”

      “I don’t like Frank,” Zack told her, sounding a little stuffy himself. “I don’t want to talk about Frank. If I had a really ugly dog, I would name him Frank.”

      “You don’t even know Frank. I swear, you’re just like Davy.”

      “Oh, hell.” Zack stood up, mentally adding frustrating to the list of words that described this surprising woman. “And Davy would be…?

      “Davy is also a friend. He’s what you would call a man’s man, someone who lives for hunting season and fishing season and any other manly season you can think of. He also likes to climb very high mountains. My point is, like you, he has a tendency to—”

      “Don’t you have any friends who are women?”

      “Not many, actually. My father was a high school football coach. The players were always coming to the house. I met some of my best friends that way. Anyway, when Davy isn’t off hunting elk or climbing mountains, he takes his shirt off and models for covers of romance novels. You might have seen his picture.”

      The light of battle flared in Zack’s eyes. “Are you suggesting I read romance novels?”

      “No, although I don’t know why that would bother you. The point I am trying to make—”

      “Wait a minute,” said Zack. “Do I look like a model to you?”

      “This is ridiculous. Will you put a lid on your testosterone and listen? Like many macho men, Davy is someone who has been known to react emotionally rather than think things through.”

      A tiny muscle went tic-tic-tic in Zack’s hard brown cheek. “Well, I am not someone who reacts emotionally. I am in complete control of myself at any given moment. Cool, calm and collected. Ask my buddies how well I discipline my emotions if you don’t believe me.”

      “I see,” she said in a sweet voice. “You never do anything impulsively.”

      “I’m saying that I have incredible self-control.” Reflecting on this, Zack realized that anyone who knew him well would be rolling on the floor and laughing hysterically about now. Especially Captain Todd. “How did we get on this subject, anyway? Considering we just met, don’t you think you’re making way too many assumptions about me?”

      “I’m sorry. I do that, draw conclusions about people right off the bat. I don’t really judge them, I just look in their eyes and…sort of feel what they’re all about. It’s a gift I have.” Humming beneath her breath, Anna picked her way through boxes, files and crates, searching for something more nutritious than candy. “People usually give off vibes, and I really do believe you can look into someone’s eyes and read them.”

      Zack followed her zigzag pattern across the room, bound and determined to make his point. “I want you to understand something. In my line of work, I can’t afford to be affected by personal emotions. I’m told that I’m very good at what I do, so obviously I have the ability to remain calm and focused on my objective. Also, unlike your friend Delbert—”

      “Davy.”

      “Whatever. Unlike what’s-his-bucket, I don’t make a habit of living on an emotional seesaw. Besides, there is no way in the world you can look into someone else’s eyes and know what they’re like, what they’re thinking or feeling. People have too many protective layers these days. It’s a defense mechanism we all have. And considering the criminal elements in our society, it’s a good thing to be cautious.”

      “No one can keep their true nature hidden completely.”

      “Ah, that’s where you’re wrong,” Zack told her with the sage voice of experience. “I’ve known several people who could hide their true natures completely. Unless they choose to take the mask off, no one has a clue who they are or what they’re capable of.”

      “You seem awfully familiar with the ‘criminal element.’ You’re not a criminal, are you?”

      “Of course I’m not a criminal. Do I look like someone who could rob a bank?”

      “Yes,” Anna said instantly, grinning at the insulted look on his face. “And you also look like a person who wouldn’t get caught, either. You’re very…confident.” She bent over, huffing and puffing as she struggled to lift one box off the other. “Look at the label on the box beneath this—beef jerky. Yippee! What is your line of work, anyway? No, wait. Let me guess. You look like you would be very photogenic. Are you a model?”

      For the second time that night, but with even more fire, “The hell you say! Look, you’re going to hurt yourself. Let me.”

      Anna was more than happy to move aside and let the big strong man lift the heavy box. “Okay, okay. I was just teasing. I’ll be serious now. Let’s see. There are any number of professions a man like you could be suited for. You’re obviously familiar with a shady side of society. Are you a public defender?”

      “Sort of,” Zack replied. “I defend the public quite a bit, as a matter of fact. No more guesses? Use your ESP, Anna.” He set the box on the floor and turned to her, both hands planted on his hips. “Can’t you look in my eyes and know all my secrets?”

      Anna’s smile grew wider. “Oh, I’ve had you pegged from ‘Hello.’ Not your profession, maybe, but definitely your nature. You’re a typical male—you like to win every game you play. You’re so intelligent it’s scary, you flirt like a pro and you’ve had enough experience with the world to make you a little cynical. You can also laugh at yourself, and you enjoy helping people. How am I doing so far?”

      “Pretty good. Except that bit about me being typical.” Zack teasingly fluttered his lashes at her. “I like to think I’m somewhat out of the ordinary.”

      She opened her eyes wide, speaking in a spooky, Vincent Price voice. “I can see into your soul, Zack Daniels. I know who you are inside and out.”

      Softly he said, “Lady, you haven’t even scratched the surface yet.” Zack took one step, just enough to bring his sneakers and her stocking toes together. His eyes locked on hers, and his smile took on a slick and dangerous curve. This flirtatious, provocative dance was familiar ground for him. He was face-to-face with an incredibly appealing woman, and he was tired of being on the defensive. In addition to chess, there were certain other games he played very well; he had it on the best of authority. And he was getting increasingly hungry to play them with Anna. “I’m going to give you a chance to prove your point. Look in my eyes.” He lowered his voice, imitating Anna’s eerie delivery. “Tell me what I’m thinking, oh great and wonderful wizard. Read me.”

      Here was something new. The atmosphere between them changed in a heartbeat. One moment they were lighthearted and teasing, the next moment a sharp awareness slipped into the narrow space dividing their bodies, stealing their smiles in a sneak attack. Zack was suffocatingly close, seeming larger than life, every powerful physical attribute he possessed magnified ten times over. Anna stared mutely at the way his ragged СКАЧАТЬ