“We’re not past that until the commander is dead.”
“Whatever. Did you find a place to stay?” Shane asked.
Matt glanced around the tiny apartment. “Yes, and I found a job. With these injuries, I’ll seek out the family practitioner tomorrow. Also, I may have a way in with the vet.” Well, perhaps. Eugene probably wouldn’t let Matt take him in for a checkup. Either way, time was running short, and he needed to find Dr. Peters so he could stop the chips from exploding and taking out their spines. Six weeks wasn’t long to live.
Wispy blond hair came into view, and Matt’s sister-in-law elbowed her husband out of the way. “Hi, Mattie.” Her smile was pure sweetness.
“Hi.” He forced good humor onto his face.
“What’s wrong?” She frowned, angling closer to the camera.
“Nothing.” He opened his eyes wider.
“You’re pale. Did you get hurt?” She took Shane’s arm, and his face ended up next to hers. As a couple, they were striking as opposites. Shane was all angles and hard strength, while Josie was tiny and soft. She squinted. “We can be there in a few hours.”
Warmth wandered through Matt’s chest. “I’m fine, I promise. You stay right where you are.” He admired Shane for taking such a risk with Josie. Matt was merely her brother-in-law, yet the idea of keeping her safe kept him up at night. How the hell was Shane sleeping? No wonder the guy looked tired. “We’re going to finish this and stop running, Josie. I promise you’ll be safe.”
She rolled her eyes. “We’ll all be safe. Now, you get some sleep, or I will head over there.”
“Yes, ma’am.” With a genuine grin this time, he shut down the laptop. Oh, Josie could be tough when needed, but Matt hoped she’d never be in danger again. What would it be like to have somebody so kind in his life? His mind shot instantly to the woman who’d ignored all safety and rushed to his aid in the alley. Of course, within seconds Laney had fainted from the sight of blood.
She was truly a temptation, but the last thing he had time for was rescuing a petite bartender with a voice that heated his cock. Besides, warning tickled the base of his neck from her reaction upon discovering Greg the pharmacist had stolen her keys and broken into her apartment.
Without a doubt, that had been relief in her pretty eyes.
Chapter 3
Laney straightened the fork on the napkin, bustling around the long table in the party room of the bar. She’d moved the tables together the previous night and now needed to set up the tableware for the luncheon.
She loved her routine and relied heavily on it. Maybe now that Matt could take over as bouncer, she could get back to normal. The need to stick to the familiar had grown in her childhood, since she’d never known if her mom would be the cookie-baking fun mom, or the passed-out-in-the-backyard drunk mom. So she created a list of tasks every day to show that life could be orderly. And controlled.
She’d loved her mother desperately, and her mother had loved her right back. When she’d died from liver failure when Laney had been seventeen, Laney’s world had collapsed.
At that point, after years of hiding her mother’s illness, she’d vowed never to hide the truth again.
How wrong she’d been about that.
She glanced around her orderly bar, and light from the back window cast interesting shadows across the wood. Great dimension. She tugged a small digital camera from her pocket and snapped a couple of shots. Taking pictures, snapping a moment in time, calmed her like nothing else.
A shadow crossed the entryway before Matt’s spicy scent of male and soap wafted her way. She jumped and then quickly calmed herself. He wasn’t there to hurt her.
Her abdomen heated. She turned, curious.
Yep. The man was just as sexy in the daytime. A rough shadow covered his jaw, and he filled out his dark T-shirt and faded jeans in a way guaranteed to earn him decent tips.
He ran his hand through his thick hair and prowled closer. “What’s all this?”
She fought the urge to capture him on film and slipped the camera back into place. With a shrug, she finished sliding the last knife into place while battling down her libido. “The Charmed League of Businesswomen has its monthly meeting here for lunch.” As a member, she gave the group a discount on lunch but still made a modest profit each month. “I need you to help serve drinks and bus the table during the luncheon.”
Those odd eyes focused on her. “Why were you taking pictures of the floor?”
She coughed out a laugh. “The light and shadows intrigued me.” Shrugging, she tried not to feel like a complete dork.
He frowned and eyed the floor. “Light and shadows, huh?”
She bit her lip. “Yes.” Enough of opening up to the ex-soldier. “How’s the apartment? Do you have everything you need?”
“Yes. It’s a great place.” His smile warmed her right up. “Did you speak with Greg the burglar?”
They needed to get lines drawn, regardless of sweet smiles. “Um, while I appreciate your help, I’d like to keep this professional.”
One dark eyebrow rose. “Okay. I don’t understand what that has to do with breaking and entering.”
An intensity poured off the man in a way that sped up her heart rate, and she didn’t have time for confusion right now. “What I mean is, I’m your boss, and now your landlord, and I, ah, can handle my personal life myself.”
Amusement lifted Matt’s lip. “Somebody breaking into the place where I work and now live is my business.”
The guy was a force of nature. “If Greg breaks into your apartment and leaves you flowers, I give you full permission to deal with him.” Laney couldn’t help the small smile. “Other than that, I’ll take care of my own issues.”
“No problem.” A veil dropped over those eyes.
For the briefest of seconds, regret filtered through her. Matt was strong and solid, and it’d be nice to have somebody in her corner. But he was also a complication she wouldn’t risk. “Good. Thanks.”
He eyed the quiet bar. “What do you want me to do?”
Get naked and busy? She shook her head. “First, are you hungry?”
“Not really.” The words were calm, but the hunger in his gaze as it traveled her form told another story.
Such blatant male interest set up a humming in her blood. He stood close enough that his wild scent surrounded her, pricking up the hair on her arms. “Stop looking at me like that.”
“Like what?” he said softly, challenge curving his lips.
Like he wanted to spend days exploring her head to toe. She held still like a rabbit caught in a snare. “You know.”
“You’re beautiful, and I can’t help it if I notice.”
The words sent an annoying thrill through her. He thought she was beautiful? Her face heated. “You’re very kind, but again, let’s keep this professional.”
“I’m nowhere near kind.”
She needed to develop some sort of protection against the desire he so easily sparked, so she turned her voice crisp. “There are three pitchers behind the bar. Would you fill them with iced tea, Diet Coke, and water?” The outside door opened, and Laney turned. It was too early for the group to show. She sighed, irritation heating down her spine. “Excuse me.”
She wove through the tables and chairs to outflank Greg. Instinct told her Matt would try to discuss breaking and entering with him, so she moved quickly to prevent them from clashing. Now wasn’t the time for a brawl.
Greg glanced down his patrician nose, his brown eyes sparkling. “Did you get the flowers?”
She forced annoyance away from the surface, her attention squarely on the too-quiet man across the bar. But the last thing she needed was one more enemy in town, and she could end things nicely with Greg. “Please give me the keys to my apartment.” She held out a hand.
He frowned, confusion crossing his handsome face. “You didn’t like the flowers?”
Temper tickled the back of her neck. “I didn’t like you stealing my
keys and breaking into my apartment. Now give me my keys.” She’d learned early to deal quickly with bullies and with morons. Greg seemed a bit of both.
“I thought it was romantic.” He rubbed his smoothly shaved chin. The slight cleft in the middle had initially intrigued her, and now it was a nuisance.
“Leaving flowers in a woman’s home might be romantic to someone you’ve dated a couple of years and who trusts you completely. But to somebody who you’ve only been to dinner with once? You’re lucky I didn’t call the cops.” Yeah, right. Like she’d ever call the cops. But the pharmacist didn’t know that.
He dug into his back pocket for the keys, which he dropped into her hand. “You’re very complicated.”
No kidding. “How did you get my keys?”
“I copied them one day when you were working.” He shrugged, his button-down shirt moving with the effort. “I apologize if I’ve upset you.”
“No problem.” She stuck the keys in her shirt pocket, planning to get new locks anyway. Then she turned toward the room she needed to finish getting ready. “Well, bye.”
Strong fingers wrapped around her wrist and pulled her back around. “Wait a minute,” Greg said.
Something slammed behind the bar, and they both looked toward Matt. Awareness prickled down Laney’s spine.
He leveled his gaze at Greg. “Release her arm.”
Greg straightened his six-foot frame. “Or what?”
“I’ll break yours.” The tone remained casual, but the smile Matt flashed promised pain.
Greg snorted air. “New bouncer?”
“New bouncer.” Laney extracted her wrist, sidling several feet away from Greg. Her instincts stretched awake and guaranteed Matt wasn’t a guy who bluffed. Greg was a puppy who wanted to be petted, while Matt was a German shepherd who wanted to bite. Now she was comparing men to dogs. Enough of this. “I believe you should probably go.”
“I wanted to invite you to dinner tomorrow night.” Greg tucked his hands in his dress-pants pockets. “Maybe to make up for my flower gaffe?” Good humor curved his lips, while his gaze remained focused on Matt.
“I don’t think so.” She tried to soften the rejection with a pat to his arm. Greg’s confidence in facing Matt actually impressed her, but it could be the guy was just clueless regarding self-preservation. Who knew? Either way, she was a master at protecting herself. “I’m not looking for romance right now, and I think we should remain friends.” Lame line, Laney.
He clucked his tongue. “Friendship is nice, but I’m not giving up. Plus, I’ll see you at the carnival, right?”
The town carnival was a huge moneymaker for the bar, and of course her doors would be open. “I’ll see you around.” Turning, she dismissed him. Waiting until he’d left and the outside door had closed, she put her hands on her hips and tried to sound professional. “You threatened bodily harm on somebody you don’t know.”
Matt lifted a shoulder in a way that flexed the muscles in his chest. “I didn’t like him grabbing you.”
Her chest peaked into action in response, her nipples pebbling. “Too fucking bad.” Yeah, she threw in the expletive to catch his attention, and by the firming of his jaw, she’d gotten it. “You’re an employee, and I can be sued for what you do while at work. So no more threatening anybody unless it’s necessary to protect the patrons.”
“You want to talk law? Grabbing a woman equals battery. Period.”
The man was trying to protect her, and a sweetness lived in the smooth soldier that tempted her far too much. She was touched that he’d tried to protect her, and the thought of someone actually being on her side intrigued her. But she couldn’t take the risk right now, and she had to draw clear lines. “I appreciate your concern, but my brother was a marine, and believe me, he trained me in self-defense. I can handle myself, Matt.”
“How tall are you?” Matt’s voice softened to a tone that licked across her skin.
“Five six.” She lifted her chin.
He cocked his head to the side.
“Fine. Five four, and if you ask me my weight, I’m going to throw something at you.” She bustled toward him to grasp the water pitcher and ignored her weakened knees. “I don’t see your point.”
He leaned over the bar, his intense gaze holding her captive. “You’re small and weigh nothing. Do you really think a few hours spent learning cross blocks and hold breaks from your brother would help you against somebody like me?”
Not a chance in hell. “Yes.”
His grin turned him into pure charm that turned him from intriguing to far too appealing. “Fine. How about I train you while I’m here? Say in exchange for rent?”
Grappling on the mat with that body? She’d want his clothes off within minutes. Swallowing, she tried to keep her voice level. “Thanks, but I’m set. I appreciate your intent to take over for my brother, but I think he did a good job already.”
Matt studied her, amusement dancing in his eyes. “If you say so. Just to be clear, I feel anything but brotherly toward you, Laney.”
Life would be easier if Matt could view the petite bar owner like a family member or even an employer, but as he watched her deliver another pitcher of tea to the women gathered around the table, he realized that was impossible. She laughed at something one of the women said, and his cock hardened. Again.
The woman had spunk, intelligence, and a heart-shaped ass. Of course he wanted her naked and sweating beneath him. That confused as much as irritated him. She was the exact opposite of what he usually looked for in a woman. Temporary, tough, and unemotional worked best, and the idea of being with someone soft and kind scared the shit out of him.
Laney was right to keep him at a distance.
The new phone he’d purchased early that morning buzzed, and he glanced down at his first text message of the day. Nate had texted that he was safe and would check in later. Relief relaxed Matt’s shoulders upon reading that his brother was all right. The guy hadn’t been out on a mission for years, and Matt had been worrying about him. Maybe Nate would finally heal from falling in love and being betrayed.
If anybody could throw a dose of cold water on Matt’s desire to pursue Laney, it’d be hard-assed Nate. He perceived only black and white, danger and safety. There was no safety in seducing Laney… for anybody. She wasn’t the woman Matt needed to find in Charmed.
Plus, as much as the idea turned Matt’s stomach, if he had to seduce the elusive Dr. Peters to secure her help, to save his brothers, he’d do it.
Of course, the family practitioner was the one woman who wasn’t sitting around the table. He’d paid special attention to the coroner and the veterinarian’s assistant, and the vet’s assistant was currently checking him out behind wire-rimmed glasses. Bright eyes showed intelligence and an interesting wariness. He shot her a smile.
Her cheeks pinkened, and she half turned to talk to the woman on her right.
Laney, sitting across from the vet, instantly shot a look his way, delicate eyebrow arched. He met her stare evenly, pleased when her high cheekbones filled with color. The fact that she kept his gaze with challenge in her eyes, even while blushing, pleased him even more. The polite thing to do would be to grant her a reprieve and look away.
Too bad he wasn’t a polite guy.
Laney should learn not to challenge him.
Her chair scraped back, and she muttered something to her friends and then calmly maneuvered around tables toward him, hips swaying… keeping his gaze the entire time. His shoulders went back, and his blood started to hum. Who was this woman so full of surprises?
She reached him, her eyes sparking in irritation. “Would you please stop turning the most successful businesswomen in town into simpering morons?” she whispered.
He blinked. Damn it. He focused down a foot at her irritated face. “What in the world are you talking about?”
Her body remained relaxed, but he could hear her heart thumping, and her expression was quickly transforming into anger. She k
ept her face angled away from the women at the table. “Stop smiling, stop flirting, and do your job.”
He lowered his face just enough to make her eyes widen. “You sound jealous.”
Ah. There was the fury. “I’m not, you jackass. Keep the charm in your pants, and stop flirting.”
Okay. He may have poured on the charm with the two women he needed to investigate, but he’d been trained in subtlety and covert action. “Why are you suddenly interested in what’s in my pants?”
Laney’s gasp heated him in all sorts of places. “If I have to tell you again to knock it off, you’re fired.”
The little spitfire had better be careful who she threatened. “So you want me unavailable to those women?”
Satisfaction filled her pretty face. “Exactly.”
“Okay.” He grasped her hip and covered her mouth with his. The kiss was hard, quick, and enough of a taste to make him crave more. He lifted away to gauge the shock on her face. “There. Now they think I’m taken.”
The air vibrated as her hand closed into a fist, and he shook his head. “You don’t want to hit me.”
“Why not?” she ground out.
For the first time, he let his mask slip so she could see the predator the government had created. “The second you make contact, I’ll have you on that bar, held tight, my cock pressed between your legs, my lips on yours until you beg for more. Even fully clothed, I may make you come—and I won’t care who’s watching.”
Her sexy mouth dropped open. Surprise and fury lit her eyes… along with desire. She tried to mask it, but he was an expert at reading people, and the woman was intrigued. “You egomaniac. I’m not remotely interested,” she whispered.
Surprising anger shot through him. “You want to threaten me? That’s fine. Challenge me? No problem.” He stepped even closer and into her space. “But don’t you ever lie to me. Ever, Laney.”
She pressed her hands against her hips, confusion blanketing her features. “We just met.”
The woman was correct. He had no right to demand a damn thing from her. For all she knew, he was a bad guy. But this once and with this woman, against all rational training and thought, he truly didn’t give a shit. He didn’t understand it, sure as hell couldn’t explain it. So he went with his gut. “Yeah, we did just meet. Those are the ground rules. Period.” He lowered his chin and waited for her to challenge him, anticipation lighting his veins.