Texas Lightning. Gerry Bartlett

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СКАЧАТЬ over her heart. “You think that’s funny? I admit it. I came to Texas with all kinds of fantasies. If I’m afraid, it’s not of you. It’s of me, King.” She shoved aside that basket to slide one hand down his chest and the other up to where his hair curled over his ears. He could use a haircut.

      “I’ve been so lonely since I moved here. And you came to my rescue. Big, bold Texan, complete with cowboy hat and boots. Why, all that was missing was you riding in on a white horse. Please tell me you have a big white horse somewhere.” She gave a gusty sigh and sagged against him, batting her eyelashes. Too bad she’d sweated off her mascara.

      He just grinned. “Would a black one do?”

      “In a pinch.” She walked her fingers up his shirtfront. “Honestly, cowboy, I’ve been fighting the urge to throw myself at you ever since I came out of that bathroom at the capitol building.” She pressed closer, her elbow hitting that basket of dog stuff. “Why, if we’re staying together at your place, I don’t know what might happen. You might have to beat me off with a stick.”

      He dropped the basket to the floor, barely missing her dog, who scampered out of the way. “Beat you off? Sugar, that’ll never happen.” His arms went around her, pulling her so close not even YoYo could find space to wiggle in between them where their legs tangled. “You feel the urge to try the horizontal Texas Two-Step, say the word.”

      “No?” She pushed him back. He was a handful, no denying that. And the chemistry was off the charts. “Let’s get out of here. If your place is the safest for me and my program, then that’s where I’ll go. Temporarily, anyway. And just to work.” Anna surveyed the mess around her, not sure where to start with her packing. She grabbed the framed picture of her family and laid it carefully in the dog basket.

      “Why not leave everything else here?” He dropped a hand on her shoulder. “Your backpack is all you need and it’s in the truck. You know you don’t want to wear stuff those assholes have touched. You can order new clothes online and Ron will pick up the tab. I guarantee it.”

      Anna nodded. “You’re right. I don’t want anything those assholes have touched. Let’s move.” She grabbed her gun, then headed back into the bedroom to get her extra ammo. She stuck them both into a tote her grandmother had decorated with needlepoint and given her as a going-to-Texas gift. A quick look around and she really couldn’t see anything else that she treasured. She’d left most of her personal things back in Boston in boxes in her parents’ basement. Her mom was convinced this move to Texas was a temporary aberration and had insisted she leave them there. God, her family would freak out when they heard about the break-in. She wasn’t sure she’d tell them about it. Not anytime soon, anyway.

      “I’m ready.” Anna picked up YoYo, leash and all, then gestured toward the dog’s bed, a big fluffy pillow he loved. “Add that to the basket. I’ll get his favorite toy.” She found it under the dining room table, then headed for the door. King was right behind her.

      Anna could almost feel his eyes on her butt. He was definitely a man who liked butts and breasts. Well, she had plenty of both. She ran down the stairs toward King’s truck and stood next to the passenger door, waiting for him to unlock it. She was glad she didn’t have to stay in a hotel alone. Whoever had come after her computer and the program she’d written might actually break her encryption. But they’d soon figure out it wasn’t going to be quite that easy to steal what had taken her years to create. Would they come back and try again? Want her the next time? The idea that she could be a target sent chills through her. Security wouldn’t be tight in a hotel and he was right about using their Wi-Fi. It could be easily hacked and she’d never use it to work remotely.

      “I hope agreeing to go to your place isn’t a mistake. I do need to work. Mr. Z is really anxious for this program to be finished fast. He has a big investment in it.” She heard the locks click and opened the truck door, setting YoYo inside. A hand on her shoulder kept her from following right away.

      “Anna, I’m a gentleman. I know you’ve had a bad scare, and my only intention is to set you up in a safe place. Like I said, as a favor to my friend Ron.” King turned her to face him. “I get that you were kidding with all that nonsense about jumping my bones. But, to be honest, I am attracted to you.” He smiled at her. “Taking advantage of your shot nerves right now wouldn’t be cool. I can be a good friend.” He ran a finger over her cheek. “Or an enthusiastic lover. Just let me know which you need.”

      Anna decided that didn’t deserve an answer. She just turned and began the awkward climb into the truck. He seemed to know all the right things to say. That was the most disturbing thing about this man. Smooth, way too smooth. The tongue-tied geeks she was used to had been so much easier to manage. King was going to be impossible. Best to leave him in the friend zone. Too bad she’d felt the touch of that rough fingertip all the way down to her own zone—the one that friends didn’t make melt, much less throb with dangerous urges.

      She settled into her seat and realized he still stood there, watching her, waiting. She faced him. “Thanks, King. For offering me safety. You’re right. My nerves are shot. The only decision I’m up for now is that I want to get out of here.” She glanced around the parking lot. It seemed empty, harmless, but you never knew. “This place is giving me the creeps. Can we go now?”

      “Absolutely.” He slammed the door, then paused to look around. He finally shook his head and walked around to climb into the driver’s seat after tucking the basket of dog essentials into the back seat. YoYo scampered between the seats and attacked the basket, knocking it over and dragging out his bed so he could settle on top of it. He sighed and curled up, obviously ready for a nap.

      “Poor little guy. I can’t imagine what he went through, trying to protect our home from invasion then being left out in the heat. I’m surprised no one saw what happened, heard him barking, or called the police. But then I haven’t met any of my neighbors and the apartment below me is vacant.” Anna realized King hadn’t started the truck yet. “What?”

      “Give me your gun.” He opened the glove compartment and slid his own inside. “We keep them locked up when I’m driving. That’s my personal rule.”

      “Oh, sure.” Anna pulled hers out of the tote at her feet. “There’s probably a law about that.”

      “I have a permit to carry concealed in Texas. Do you?” He locked the compartment, then started the engine.

      “No, I don’t. I’ve been too busy working.” Anna realized King was driving slowly, watching their surroundings as he exited the apartment complex. “Do you think we’re being followed?”

      “Not that I can tell, but I’m going to detour until I’m sure there’s no chance of it.” He pulled out onto the street across from her office building and hit the gas.

      Anna checked behind them. A silver compact car came out of the security gates not long after they did. Coincidence? It was a huge complex. When the car turned and followed them, she tried to see who was inside. Man? Woman? No, it was a couple.

      “I see them. I’m getting on the freeway. We’ll see what happens.” King reached over and patted her hand. “Relax, Anna. Don’t you think having your computer will be enough for them?”

      “No, I’m afraid not. You heard me talking to Mr. Z. It’s password protected and I use a special encryption program.” She looked down at his hand covering hers but didn’t snatch it away. It felt good to have him here, knowing Austin freeways and ready to do something for her. Okay, so maybe managing men had their uses. “Yes, they’ll break through the password easily enough if they’re pros. I could. But the encryption… СКАЧАТЬ