“I’m a partner in a New York City law firm.”
“—and arrogant.”
Shock rippled through features that then went crimson. “Look?—”
“Oh, I am.”
She stomped to her feet and started away.
Cord launched after her and caught her hand. “Whoa, hey.” He swiped a hand over his beard to hide his smile. She’d been too easy to rile. “Sorry.”
Fire sparked in her gaze. But then her expression shifted and her defensive posture grew relaxed, confident once more. “You were playing me.” The anger returned, and her left eye pinched. “To distract me.”
Cord could not help but smile appreciatively. “You are very distracting,” he said, erasing most of the distance between them, not disappointed when she didn’t remove herself. “So I thought it only fair.”
“Trafficking.” Brooke arched an eyebrow. “Is that what this?—what she is about?”
“You seem really intent on that. How d’you know I’m not her john?”
Her gaze swept his face, and he could bask in that for a long time. Thought to slip a hand around her waist, but she’d probably deck him.
“You’re not.”
Yeah, definitely need to get to know her. “How else would I have her or bring her here?”
Again, she studied him. There was definitely something alluring about having those pale blue eyes trail over his eyes, nose, and mouth. “First, he’d kill you if that was true.”
Why was she so focused on trafficking? Cord inched closer, surprised when she still didn’t back away. “And second?”
Her defiance flared. “This isn’t really difficult. I just want to know if it’s??—”
“Why? Why are you so interested?”
She blanched and he could tell she was about to withdraw. That was the last thing he wanted, even though he was playing with fire. That look in her eyes? He’d seen it enough in this line of work to be bothered by it. A lot. Especially, especially coming from her.
Holding her gaze, he eased in, liking the way she watched him??—daring him yet … hesitant???—and reached behind her, plucking her phone from her back pocket.
She drew up, lips parting in surprise. “What?—”
He opened his phone and paired the two, then returned hers. “Now you have my number.”
She rolled her eyes again. “You think this is about you?”
He let his gaze linger on her features a little longer than appropriate until she shifted. “Isn’t it?”
“You’re military, therefore a definitive no.” She stepped back. “And if you do anything to harm my brother, I will be sure you never breathe clean air again.”
Cord couldn’t help but grin. “So this means I’ll see you again?”
She stalked off. Smarts. Fire. Sass. She had it all going on. And he really??—
A solid thwack against his chest thumped the air from his lungs. Coughing, he caught the hand and nearly broke the wrist before he registered the face. “Stone.” He stepped off.
“Get your eyes back in your head, Taggart, or I’ll shoot skeet with them.” Stone planted his hands on his belt. “You’re really ticking me off tonight. Shouldn’t have let you through that door.”
His friend had always been a tough guy, but seeing his rage flare again, Cord eased back. “Sorry. Just some things she said to me?—”
“I don’t care what she said. There are two conditions to her staying here.”
