Maverick / The Playboy's Passionate Pursuit. Emilie Rose

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      By the time Tanner nonchalantly strolled into the kitchen, he, aided by a cold shower, had worked his mind over matter…at least enough that it didn’t show.

      “Your lady friend is something, Wolfe,” Hawk said, leveling a hard look at Tanner. “But why in hell did you bring her along on a hunt?”

      “I didn’t have a choice,” he began, but apparently Hawk wasn’t hearing him.

      “Are you trying to get that beautiful creature killed?” Hawk demanded.

      Tanner sighed. “I told you, I didn’t have a—”

      “Choice,” Brianna finished for him in a decisive tone. “I played the trump card.”

      “Yeah,” Tanner muttered, turning to look at her. Brianna stood in the entrance to the kitchen area, her still-wet hair hanging straight down her back, her face free of makeup, but glowing from her shower.

      “What trump card?” Hawk frowned, glancing between his two guests, who continued to stare at each other.

      “Money,” they answered in unison.

      Hawk arched his dark brows. “I like money,” he said, his voice laconic. “Though not enough to endanger a beautiful woman—or any woman, for that matter—by taking her along on a manhunt for a killer.” His gaze narrowed on Tanner. “How much money are we talking about?”

      Tanner switched his steely stare to Hawk. “An impressive amount of money.”

      Hawk smiled—well, almost—and turned his narrowed gaze on Brianna. “How much?” It wasn’t a question so much as an order.

      “A million dollars.”

      Tanner admired her cool composure. Not many people, men or women, could withstand that particular piercing look from Hawk. In the next few minutes, Brianna ratcheted up his admiration for her even further.

      Hawk whistled. “That’s a lot of dollars.”

      Flashing her traffic-stopping smile, she nodded in agreement. “Yes, it is.” The smile fled, replaced by a haughty expression. “I take it you disapprove.”

      “I don’t disapprove of the money,” Hawk said with a quick shake of his head. “But I do disapprove of Tanner taking along a woman.”

      “Yet there are women bounty hunters,” she retorted. “Are there not?”

      “She used that same argument on me,” Tanner inserted, just to remind them he was still there.

      Hawk flicked a look at him.

      Brianna ignored him.

      “I don’t approve of women bounty hunters, either. It’s too dangerous for a woman.”

      “Indeed.” Brianna’s voice was icy.

      “Yeah, indeed.” Hawk matched her tone.

      Tanner grinned, not that either one of them noticed. They were too busy trying to stare each other down. This should be interesting, he mused, settling down in a kitchen chair to watch the battle of wills.

      No one knew better than he that Hawk was nothing if not tenacious. On the other hand, Tanner had personal knowledge of how stubborn Brianna could be. Yes, indeedy, he thought, controlling an urge to laugh, this should prove very interesting.

      Brianna sighed as if sorely tried. “As I pointed out to your friend, I have had excellent training. I am well equipped to take care of myself.”

      With that, she had lobbed the ball into Hawk’s court. Tanner waited for the return volley.

      Hawk slammed it back at her. “I don’t give a f—” He caught himself up short before finishing with, “freaking damn how well you’ve been trained. You don’t belong in the mountains, tracking a criminal.”

      Whoa. Tanner stared at his friend in surprise. Hawk was losing his cool, and that didn’t happen often. Tanner decided it was time to referee this match.

      “Okay, boys and girls,” he said, pushing himself from the chair to step between the two combatants. “Take a break. It’s time for a truce.”

      “But, dammit, Tanner, it’s just not safe!”

      “Save your breath, ole buddy,” Tanner said, shaking his head. “I went through all that with her, chapter and verse.” He shot a quick glance at her face, her expression one of detachment. “It’s like talking to a brick wall.”

      “How charming, so complimentary,” Brianna coolly inserted. “But can we drop the subject now? I’m so hungry I could eat a…brick wall, maybe.” A smile teased her lips and danced in her bright eyes.

      “Told you so,” Tanner said with a grin, chiding Hawk.

      Hawk heaved a deep sigh. “I give up.”

      “Good.” She rewarded him with a charming smile. Too soon.

      “On one condition,” Hawk went on, challenge hard on his voice.

      Bri narrowed her eyes. “What condition?”

      Tanner frowned, wondering what Hawk was up to now.

      “You take Boyo with you.”

      “But…” she began in protest.

      “Good idea, Hawk,” Tanner said, deciding it was time to end this match. “Brianna, Boyo is a good hunter. You know, the Irish wolfhounds were bred to hunt and bring down wolves and elk.”

      “Wolves?” She shifted her gaze to the dog, who had cocked his head at the sound of his name. “Well, he certainly looks big enough and strong enough for it. But he doesn’t seem natured to do that. He’s as friendly as a puppy.”

      “Of course he is,” Hawk agreed. “Here he’s a big, sloppy sweetheart. Matter of fact, most wolfhounds are simply house pets these days. But take him out hunting, turn him loose on a scent, and he reverts to breed and can be one mean son of a—” Again, he caught himself from cursing. “He can be rough.”

      “But…” she began.

      Tanner smothered laughter to interrupt her. “You may as well give in, Brianna. Hawk can be as stubborn as you, maybe even more so.”

      “Oh, all right. We’ll take Boyo…but only if I get food—pronto.”

      Hawk slid a look at Brianna, a smile twitching the corners of his mouth. “Man, you’re tough. But you win. Food’s ready. Let’s eat.”

      Tanner lost it and let loose the laughter he had been holding back.

      Hawk followed in kind.

      Brianna looked from one to the other before her laughter blended with theirs. She was first to regain control. “Okay, you clowns, what’s for supper?” She gave a dainty sniff. “Whatever it is, it smells wonderful.”

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