She threw him the finger and stomped into her bedroom. He grinned, his body lighting with humor. Man, taming her would be fun. He paused. Where the hell had that thought come from? Oh, he didn’t mind the theme…but he hadn’t planned on sticking around.
Yet, why not? Glancing down at the rumpled dress and ruined panties on the floor, his smile widened. They obviously had something in common.
Oh, yeah. He jerked up his pants, wincing as he shoved his dick back into place and zipped. Even now, the smell of her wrapped around him. Warmed him. Tempted him.
It took him several seconds to realize he’d forgotten all about Ginny.
Veronica emerged minutes later in dark jeans and a green sweater that hugged her breasts perfectly. Her thick hair was up in a ponytail, and lip-gloss covered her sweet lips.
Man, she intrigued him. She was all spunk, intelligence, and courage. It shocked him how much he liked that combination.
She took a brown leather jacket from a clothes closet. “How about we take my car?”
He shrugged and followed her outside. “So long as I drive.”
“God, you’re a throwback,” she muttered, her sweet ass swaying down the steps.
“Yep.” When they reached the car, he held out his hand for the keys.
“Fine.” She threw them at his head, and he snagged them easily out of the air.
“Thanks.” He slipped into the compact and put the driver’s seat as far back as it would go. While she thought he was being a jerk, in truth, his reflexes were a million times faster than hers. If danger came near, he’d handle it better. Whether she liked it or not.
She huffed into the seat and secured her seatbelt.
He ignited the engine and drove out of the carport, heading even farther away from the city. “My brother has all the files about your case, and we can review them together at dinner. We’ve already sent a sample of your blood to our lab in Idaho, and we should have those results soon.”
She dropped her chin. “How did you get my blood?”
“I texted an associate when I left the bar earlier, and he broke into the evidence locker at the station,” Jared said. “Then it went on private plane and should be there today. We don’t mess around.”
She shook her head. “That’s crazy.”
“Was necessary.” It would probably take some time for her to realize she was no longer human and subject to their laws. “Any clue who wanted you dead?”
“No,” she said. “I think it had something to do with the death of a cop, a guy named Walt, who I saw as a patient, but I have no proof. No leads.” She curled her fingers into fists on her jeans. “I also don’t know how they poisoned me. I mean, many patients bring me coffee and tea, and I also drink at the station. Plus, we go out a lot as a group to a bar…”
Well, those days were over. He’d explain that to her later. For now, he had to figure this out. “Why did you become a shrink?”
“I wanted to help people.” She wiped snow off her jeans. “My dad was a cop, and he said I didn’t have what it took.” She hunched her shoulders inward. “I guess I kind of wanted to prove him wrong. Plus, I have a knack for figuring people out.”
She had a knack because she was empathic. So she was driving herself so hard just to prove herself? That wouldn’t do. However, he liked that she wanted to help people. Smart, spirited, and sweet. That was her. He glanced at her, his hands easy on the steering wheel.
“What?” she asked.
“You’re very likable,” he said, taking a corner.
She blinked. Color tinged her cheeks. Her lips pursed. “Thank you.”
Yeah. The woman knew how to take a compliment. He liked that, too. Her scent of spices and berries wrapped around him, providing comfort with a jolt of energy. The idea that somebody wanted to harm her tightened his muscles. He’d never been a nice guy, and a battle was a battle, but he’d make the asshole who’d poisoned her bleed before dying.
He pulled into the back lot of the tiny restaurant. “You ever been here?”
She craned her neck to check out the innocuous brick building. “No.”
“Best pizza in the world.” He jumped out of the car and crossed to assist her. “Careful. The lot is icy.”
She nodded and allowed him to lead her through the back door. The smells of garlic, cheese, and pretty much heaven hit them both. She breathed in. “Wow.”
