A Perfect Storm(30)

Her blue-eyed gaze gave away her simmering temper. "Why not?" In a tone  more flippant than not, she curled her lip and said, "You kiss like a  schoolboy anyway."

Well, hell. He hadn't seen that coming. "Let me make sure I understand  this." He glanced at her elevated chin. "You're complaining about how  I've kissed you?"

She didn't deny or confirm that. "Maybe I should really let you have it, and go for an even dozen."

"Kisses?" His heart punched into his ribs. "Yeah, maybe you should."

Mulish, she crossed her arms, swung her foot in agitation and went back to staring out the window.

"Come on, honey." He turned down the route toward where Dare waited.  He'd ensure that Arizona made it onto the bus without issue, and then  Dare would tail her to the bar. "Talk to me. What's going on?"                       
       
           



       

"Until you started admiring Marla, I was having a good time."

"I wasn't admiring her." Just like a woman to twist things around. "You asked a question and I answered it."

"Whatever."

That flippant response annoyed him even more. "Forget about Marla  already, will you?" He didn't want her walking into the bar pissed off  over nonsense. He wanted, needed, for her to bring her A-game by being  calm and collected. "For the last time, she's only a neighbor."

"Hey, I hear you, but I don't think Marla got the memo."

"God Almighty, woman. Seriously? We don't have enough to keep us occupied tonight without you picking a fight?"

Going still, she stared at him, then groaned. She dropped her head back  and closed her eyes. "Yeah, all right." A second or two passed, and she  half laughed. "I didn't mean to ruin things by nitpicking."

"Things?"

She flagged a hand between them. "The little picnic was nice."

Exasperation got the better of him. "Eating fast food in the front of a  truck at a deserted park prior to using yourself as bait to draw in the  worst type of creep doesn't count as a picnic."

She blinked at that long string of nonsense. "Oh, well … " She opened her purse and got out a stick of gum. "It did for me."

Shit. Now he felt like a jerk. "Yeah," he reluctantly admitted. "Me, too."

"Uh-huh." She popped the gum into her mouth, folded the wrapper, and put  it in the ashtray. "And here you just said you wouldn't lie."

"It's odd, no denying that, but so far I've enjoyed every minute with  you. For sure, you'll never bore me." He thought it prudent to add, "Not  that I share your enthusiasm for our agenda tonight."

She chewed her gum and, through the car window, watched the scenery pass by. "You'll see. I can take care of myself."

Because she'd always had to.

But not anymore, not with him. And thinking of all the ways he wanted to  care for her, he asked, "What's your favorite place to eat?" She  deserved to be pampered. Dinners out, movies, maybe some dancing …

"Hmm." She gave it very little thought. "I don't know." She rolled one  shoulder. "The dinner you cooked the other day was about the best I've  ever had. Especially the cake."

"There's plenty left. If you want to pig out, we can finish it off tonight."

"Sounds like a plan." She gave him a quick smile. "But it was so good, I'd rather savor it."

"No need. There will be another cake at Dare's, I'm sure."

She groaned. "Don't remind me."

The small gathering was meant to make her happy, not fill her with dread. "Not looking forward to it?"

"I appreciate the sentiment, but … I hate being the center of attention, you know?"

"I'm guessing it won't be the hardship you're imagining." Once she was  there, she'd enjoy herself. Somehow he'd see to it. To keep her from  dwelling on it, he said, "Since you'll be staying with me, is there  anything in particular you'd like me to stock up on? More sweets maybe?"

She shrugged. "If you want cookies, hey, I won't argue."

"I can make a grocery store run. And I like cooking, so if you have a preference for dinners, just let me know."

"Except for weapons, I'm not real picky."

He did not want to talk weapons with her again. "Steak? Chicken? Come on, give me a clue."

Indifferent, she offered no suggestion. "I've never really been a  foodie, you know? I eat when I'm hungry, at any place that's cheap but  clean. I mean, I don't want squid or snails or anything. No fish with  their faces still on there. But otherwise, if you cook it, I promise  I'll like it."

"Yeah, I'm not big on fish with faces, either." He turned along a road  leading into a more congested commercial area. He'd have to drop her off  soon-and he was dreading it already. "You specified it had to be  cheap?"

"My funds are limited, remember? Especially right now. I mean, Jackson  tries to overpay me for doing a little computer work, but … " She  shuddered. "I detest taking charity."

"It's not-"

"Yeah, it is," she insisted, "no matter how Jackson denies it. But since I haven't held up any dealers lately-"

"Jesus, I hope not." He hadn't even considered the possibility. "If you even think of-"                       
       
           



       

"You're not my boss," she interjected, "and I haven't been focused on  gambling. So … " She held up her hands, philosophical about her meager  possessions. "I have the basic necessities. More than enough to get by."

Later he'd deal with the idea of her mugging criminals. For now, he  wanted to talk about the few bags she kept in her trunk. "What about  clothes?"

"You haven't seen me running around naked, have you?"

A clear visual struck his beleaguered brain. No, but I want to. Out of  self-preservation, he cut to the chase. "What you have in the trunk and  in your overnight bag … is that all you own?"

"Sheesh, get rid of the long face, will you? I keep things simple for a reason."

"Being?"

"When you have things, property that's important to you, then someone can take it away."

Damn, but that was a sad attitude. "No photos? No jewelry?"

"Yeah, right. Photos of what?" She touched the hoop in her earlobe. "I  have a few pairs of earrings, some bracelets and stuff that I wear when  I'm working. Otherwise, that stuff just gets in my way."

Working. God, he'd never get used to her thinking in those terms. "So you don't care about fashion?"

That earned an honest laugh. "Do I look like a fashion plate to you? I  have enough clothes that I don't have to do laundry every day. And once I  get their attention in this getup, I can revert back to my more  comfortable duds. Anything more just takes up space and ties me down."

So many times, in so many ways, she broke his heart without even trying.  He pulled up to the curb. He hated to say it but knew she wouldn't turn  back now. "The bus stop is around the corner, two blocks down."

She undid her seat belt. "I'll find it."

Unable to help himself, Spencer caught her arm. Her bare skin was silky soft, warm. "Promise me you'll be careful."

"You got it."

He was far from reassured. "Don't forget that I'll be watching. Don't go anywhere that I can't see you."

A huff of exasperation. "That's a given."

And still he couldn't make himself let her go. "Dare will ghost you to  the bus stop, then follow along until you get off the bus near the bar."

"If that's what he wants to do, I'm okay with it." She reached for the  door handle. "I sort of figured he'd do something like that anyway. In  some ways, he, Trace and Jackson are pretty predictable."

Was she disappointed that Jackson hadn't come along tonight instead?  Spencer shook his head, refusing to let his mind go there right now.  "The bus lets you out right by the Green Goose."

"I know. I scoped out the area myself."

"I have all of Dare's codes. If you see me check my phone, you know  something is going on. Remember, if this plan goes off the rails-"

"Spencer, I promise. I'll be good. I'll pay attention. I'll stay out of danger."

He rubbed his thumb over her meager biceps. "I really hate this."

After an indulgent look, Arizona released the door handle and settled back in her seat. "Know what?"

Had she finally come to her senses? "What?"

She took out her gum, placed it back in the wrapper and put it in the ashtray again.

Then, before Spencer realized her intent, she turned to him, braced her  hands on his shoulders and leaned in to brush a kiss over his mouth.