Chapter 2

For the rest of the afternoon, instead of finishing my nap, I waffled. Over the years, I’d met more than enough women to slot Laura Bendix right in at the high end of needy, crazy, and problematical. Yet, those stunning, warm brown eyes kept flashing at me. The way they’d glimmered with hope. Plus, her curves. Not half-bad.

“Nah, you’re no dummy, Deke,” I muttered while dragging a brush through my short, bristly hair before the bathroom mirror.

No, I wasn’t stupid. The night would be simple. A well-worn sheet from the playbook I’d perfected over the decades. Just a pair of adults enjoying a meal. Maybe share some inane conversation, then a quick tumble to loosen her up. Afterwards, when she lay shaking and sweaty, she’d reconsider. Then, bam, Donesville.

Sounded great, except for her, I’d chosen tight navy trousers and a chest-hugging white polo. A long sigh slipped from me as I spritzed Soleil Brûlant under my jaw. An expensive fragrance.

A woman like Laura was well aware of her attractiveness. No way she hadn’t realized I found her alluring. Yet, psychotic or not, she also wanted me. Not for my brain. It was all physical. Nothing wrong with that. As I’d told her, we were consenting adults.

“But”—I laughed at my reflection—”she’ll be front-loading everything.”

Offer me all she’s got. Hook me. Then play mind games. Like any other narcissist I’d encountered. Except most paid for a good time, then faded from my radar.

“Sure, that’s all this’ll be,” I murmured as my fist hovered before her door.

It was six o’clock.

My knuckles struck the brushed steel. Unlike when she’d knocked, my rapping was loud. Forceful. Two things. First, I wasn’t the one hiding from anyone. And second, I’d take whatever she offered. But also get more from her than she’d ever believed possible. Not my first crazy girl rodeo. While you couldn’t hope to change a woman like her, you could damn sure push their buttons.

At the rapid click-clacking of heels beyond the door, my heartbeat sped. When she tugged it open with a smile, all that rational thinking flew from the proverbial window.

Because I was a damn fool. Soul-grabbing and gorgeous, her smile filled almost my entire view. Almost, because, my God, very little crimson material clung to her tight little body.

“Wow!” I muttered as my pulse hammered.

With narrow halter straps doing their best to restrain an impressive chest, the backless dress had a neckline that plunged to her navel. It was short enough to only cover the very tops of those muscled thighs. Peeks of delicate black lace atop dark stockings flashed as she pulled the door wider and gestured me inside.

“Hi, uh, Deke. Come on in.” Brain melting, it took me another second or two to react. My foot caught on the threshold, before crossing onto the foyer’s marble tile. “I’d, um, ask, but I guess this is sexy enough.” When she noticed me inspecting her legs, she shifted, lifting the already high hem. “You, um, said you liked my legs.”

At the cutest giggle, I nodded. It took way too long to rip my gaze from all that glowing tanned skin to check out her apartment. Behind a small modern desk flanked by the US flag and that of Colorado, her home state, the wall was filled with framed pictures. All depicted her wearing various sidearms and smiling at the camera. I couldn’t help but snort. Made sense. With the aid of Kirk-family money, gun rights had been her platform.

Other than that, the main room leading to a small patio was neat and uncluttered. It gave off more of an upscale hotel vibe. Also made sense. She probably spent more time away from it.

Like me.

However, unlike my place, the scent of vanilla and wildflowers mixed with whatever expensive French perfume she wore. When I returned to those stunning, soul-twisting brown pools, my chest tightened. God, how they twinkled, and the fake glasses were nowhere to be seen. At the sinking of teeth into her lower lip, I smiled.

“Y-Yes.” I cleared my throat and, at the wafting scent of something delicious, looked to the kitchen. “That’s, um, quite the dress, Laura.”

“Never thought I’d be wearing it again,” she said before turning on her heel and heading for the enticing flavors. “Come on, Deke. You look, uh, hungry.”

Oh, as her gaze wandered my frame, she looked as famished as me. Not only for food. Yeah, we were adults. Very horny adults. The meal was gonna be—interesting.

“Smells delicious,” I commented while following her.

And I wasn’t subtle, so she caught me inspecting her sleek tan figure. Every lean muscle on her back was mesmerizing. In that micro-dress, it was obvious she worked out—a lot. She’d need to be fit if ... Well, more happened. Yeah, damned if her grin didn’t widen as I found her face once more. No matter what else would or would not happen, we were on the same wavelength.

“It’s only a stew. Slow cooker.” She halted at a counter holding two large bowls. As she pointed to the bubbling appliance, she did a languid turn to face me. Under those halter straps, thick stems poked. “I only had some petite carrots. For salads and stuff. And, um, had to chop a baking potato. Hope that’s okay.”

“I’m sure it’ll be fine.” I took my gaze from her swaying chest and flashed a smile. “Thanks, Laura.”

And right at that very moment, a clear vibe flashed from her. Oh, she knew everything was gonna be much more than fine. Then there was the rapid flicker behind those long eyelashes. Yep, I was tumbling into her trap. She’d get what she wanted.

But so would I. Because, once more, my quasi-plan sputtered to life. Perhaps she really would become a quick, but pleasant tumble in the sheets between clients. Besides, although my smile widened, I swallowed a chuckle. I mean, she had to realize somebody would uncover her tactics sooner or later.

Then again, they’d gotten her into Congress. It wasn’t only the healthy chunk of change earned while moaning on that pretty back. But here’s the thing. Even as that thought spiraled in my brain, my pulse kept speeding. That was confusing the crap outta me.

As we sat at a dining table that smelled of plastic, as if it had just been installed, a bizarre silence engulfed us. Despite the stew’s wondrous aromas, it had no flavor. Nor did the bottle of expensive red wine we worked through. Each time I glanced at her, she was looking at me. Plus, although the hem had crept up when she’d crossed her legs, she made sure to leave it, giving me a charming view of those sleek thighs. Yeah, she was working me.

“This is so weird.”

At her low words breaking the quiet, I jolted. “What is?”

“Well, you said it before. We’re adults, Deke. But I feel like a teenager.” She sighed and yes, my glance shot to her chest. “It makes no sense. Guys are pinging me all the time. Um, mostly for, uh, congressional stuff, but...”

After her voice drifted, she managed a sip. Those stunning brown pools glimmered over the rim of her glass. To that I had no response. She was correct; it was strange. Oh, as I’d mentioned, I knew her type. Yeah, she was setting her trap. One with which I was more than familiar.

Except.

There was a glistening in those eyes. Plus, the most intriguing shadows flitted behind them. Was there more to her? Had I over-analyzed? Or was that under-analyzed?

Whatever it was, when I lifted a finger to stroke her heated cheek, she practically purred. And did my heartbeat ever thunder. Oh, fuck. When I jerked, her eyebrow arched. But I hadn’t spoken aloud.

“Would you like me to leave, Laura?”

No, I’d no idea where that thought had come from. It would shatter my plan to have a little fun with the crazy, gun-loving woman. Nor was I playing any sort of long-game. When she trembled, it sure wasn’t anything she’d expected to hear either.

Instead of speaking, she pressed her silken skin into my fingertip and shook her head. As she took another sip, her glossy brown eyes remained on me. When a tear trickled free, I gulped.

“S-Sorry, Deke.” She used a crimson cloth napkin to blot the glittering trail from her reddening cheek. “I, uh—”

“It’s okay.” My exhale stuttered as the roaring in my skull continued. What? Why had I said that? It was all bullshit. Only a crocodile tear to lure me in. Why was I falling for any of this? For her? It made no sense. “Kinda overwhelming, huh?”

“Um-hmm.” She swayed after my fingertip as it left her. “It’s, uh, been a while.” Right then, from way out in left field, she flung the first sparkly, razor-tipped dart that pierced my core. “I, uh ... Well, I’ve been watching you since you moved in, Deke.”