“Are you certain you want to get more involved with me?” There was a dare in his voice, as seductive as it was dangerous. This man played hardball.
Carly wasn’t sure they were still on the topic of the arsonist. “I don’t know. But I do know this. I can’t stop thinking about … everything.” Let him make of that what he wanted. “Also, I won’t get any peace arguing with myself. I need to do something. Make something happen.”
His voice this time was quieter, almost strangled. “I don’t want you to be hurt.”
“I’ve been taking care of myself for a long time.”
“I can’t stand the idea that you’re being pulled into something I might not be able to control.”
“Control is an illusion that only men buy into. That’s why you don’t read instructions or ask for directions.”
“I suppose you asked for directions today?”
“I asked a lot of things. Things you might be interested in knowing the answers to.”
She could feel the tension running through him. Or maybe the tip-off was Harley’s whining in the background. “I’m starved. You like steak?”
“I’m vegetarian.”
“Of course you are. But no meat, ever?”
“What do you have in mind?”
The playful note in her voice sent Noah’s thoughts straight to his dick. He stiffened so quickly he had to take a breath.
He jerked his thoughts out of his pants. If he said no, she’d do something else. Better she was with him than out there stumbling into trouble. Still, she had to know what she was getting into.
“I may have someone tailing me.”
This time she didn’t have an instant reply. “Noah?”
“Hm?”
“Lose them.”
He smiled despite himself. “What businesses are open on Sunday that are within walking distance of your place?”
“CarePlus Pharmacy is nearby.”
“I’ll pick you up in the parking lot in twenty minutes. And, Carly, dress down.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Noah watched Carly cross the pharmacy parking lot toward his truck. She wore skintight jeans that showed off miles of leg and cupped her butt like a territorial boyfriend. A metallic silver hoodie, patterned with green sequin shamrocks all over the front, stopped just short of her hips, accenting that curvaceous butt as she cat-walked her way to him in knee-high, lipstick-red stiletto boots. Every step sent vibrations of sexual energy across the parking lot. Each and every one of them brushed against his crotch as if they were her fingertips on his bare dick.
This was her idea of dressing down? Just watching her made his eyeballs sweat. She was turning him on, fully dressed. And that wasn’t good. Because he wasn’t the only one paying attention.
Two young men in hoodies and droopy pants had paused next to his truck to watch her too. He rolled down his window and gave them the stink eye. “Nothing for you here. Move along.”
The young men looked startled, not realizing anyone was in the truck. The first to catch his drift grinned at him. “You know her?”
“Yes.” Noah gave the single syllable the force of his law enforcement personality.
The other guy punched his friend in the arm. “Yo, bro. You got to know that wasn’t runnin’ round free.” They play-scuffled for a second and moved on.
Noah’s predatory gaze followed them across the lot as if they were known felons until he realized what he was doing. Hell, he was jealous of even another man’s gaze on Carly!
Which was the most stupid thing he could be. She was world famous, had been seen by millions on the runway, in magazines, and on the internet.
His mind flashed to the nude photos he’d seen of her online, and a low growl revved in his chest. Maybe he wasn’t sophisticated enough to deal with a woman like Carly, after all.
He shook his head, still amazed she’d had sex with him, an ordinary guy. No, not just sex. She’d taken him a million miles from the lonely place he’d lived the last five years, where sex was just mutual physical release. She’d made it personal, and intimate, and irresistible. Now he was so horny he was nearly bent double with lust.
He’d made a mistake last night. He knew that now. He’d made a worse one agreeing to see her now. But there she was, so alluring he was thinking about things that would get them arrested if he acted them out in public.
So, he was just going to have to gut it out and get over it. No, get over her.
A moment later, Carly yanked open the passenger door and slid in, a big grin on her face. “Hi.”
“Hi, yourself.”
Carly’s smile held its ground, though his low-pitched voice didn’t sound all that enthusiastic. Was he still annoyed that she’d called? Really?
Hoping to ease the tension between them, she scooted closer, took his face between her hands and gave him a quick kiss on each cheek, continental style. “Bonsoir, mon cher.”