The dog sneezed.
“There’s poison oak all over the place.” Blake gave Sarge a scratch behind the ears. “He may have gotten into it, but it doesn’t have the same effect on canines. He’ll probably just sneeze for a while, then he’ll be fine.”
“Thanks,” said the dog’s gorgeous owner. “He has a habit of running off. Sorry if he bothered you.” She launched a string of admonitions at the dog, whose ears folded back in shame. Then she pecked his nose with a kiss and cuddled him tight against her chest.
He’d never envied a dog before now.
Blake shook his head, trying not to focus on the fluttering hem of her robe as a feathery breeze breathed life into the delicate silk. “No bother.”
The silk robe hung close around her tall frame, revealing curves in all the right places. Well-defined calves appeared below the hem. His eyes traveled down athletic legs that disappeared into slippers that could easily double as furry puppets. Unfortunately, they’d probably scare unsuspecting children instead of entertain them.
“Did he, um . . .” Her cheeks pinked, eyes darted around. “Was he carrying anything?”
Ah, the owner of the mystery panties, no doubt. Stuffing one hand into a pants pocket, his fingers closed around the provocative “anything” in question. “Nope.” He shrugged, trying to look innocent. He didn’t have the heart to embarrass her by producing the panties.
She blew out a shaky gust of laughter. “Good! I mean . . . okay. Right.” She took a step backward over the threshold. “Thanks.” She reached for the doorknob and started to push the door closed. “It won’t happen again.”
“Wait,” he said, and she stopped the closing door. He stared at her. Blinked once. Twice. Hell, he was the stupidest smart person on the planet. Sucking in a breath, he showed her the front of the letter. “I found this on the ground. Yours, too?”
Her eyes widened as they scanned the address, and she snatched it from his grasp.
“I must’ve dropped it when I unloaded the car.” She looked at the letter, then back at him. “Thanks . . . again.”
“So you’re the one,” he said, his voice low and simmering with quiet anger. And disappointment, which shook him a little. He hadn’t been interested in anyone in a long time. Years, in fact. The demands of medical school and residency didn’t leave much time for dating. And since he moved to Red River to take over his dad’s practice, no one had snagged his attention. Not until he’d walked over that rotting footbridge and laid eyes on this . . . this . . . Damn it. What was she? Not someone he should be interested in, that’s what.
A crease appeared between her eyes. “Beg your pardon?”
His gaze dropped to her perfect mouth. Yep, dumb as a stump regardless of what his med-school test scores said. Get over it. She’s biohazardous material wrapped in a pretty little package.
“You’re the bottom dweller who’s going to help destroy Red River.” The thought popped right out of his mouth before he could filter it through his malfunctioning brain.
At first her eyes rounded and those plush lips formed a perfect O. Then a stony expression slid over her flawless face, and she narrowed her eyes at him. “I’m afraid you’ll have to communicate with me through your attorney.”
The door advanced toward him again, but he reached out and stopped it mid-swing.
“That’s just it. We’re just simple folks who can’t afford a high-profile lawyer like you to protect us.” He studied her and didn’t miss the flash of victory that raced across her face. “And you know it, too. We’re easy pickings for someone like you.”
A hand went to her hair and discovered the apparently forgotten rollers. Her look of humiliation and horror was priceless. Blake smirked. Sucks to be you right now, doesn’t it? Which gave him little comfort, because the truth was, it had to be pretty sweet being her right now. She was in the catbird’s seat, and it sucked to be her prey. Which was him.
“This conversation is completely unprofessional and inappropriate—”
“Damn right it is.” He pulled the black strings from his pocket and held them up between two fingers. She blanched. “Women don’t usually send their panties to me, especially if they’re trying to put me out of business.”
Chapter Two
Two hours later, Angelique followed Kimberly into the Rain Dance Casino just outside of Taos. Hundreds of slot machines dinged in a constant disjointed harmony.
Angelique stumbled after Kimberly in stilettos so tall they were a safety hazard.