Total pages in book: 111
Estimated words: 109640 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 439(@250wpm)___ 365(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109640 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 439(@250wpm)___ 365(@300wpm)
He shook his head at the huge yellow “DEA” block letters on the back and the agency’s logo on the front. She might as well have a spotlight following her around as she sung, “Look at me! Can’t you see? I’m a federal agent!”
With a frown, she glanced down. “Was I supposed to wear an evening gown, a tiara and stilettos to move?”
“Don’t wear that shit again.”
“Why?”
“Because… Just don’t. We’re in the middle of an investigation. And advertising you’re DEA like that isn’t smart.”
She plucked at the shirt. “Anybody can buy this.”
“But not anybody should.”
She tipped her head in acquiescence. “I won’t argue that point.”
“As the task force leader, you shouldn’t argue any points with me.”
“Well, I will argue that.” She sighed and planted her hands on her hips. “So, what are you doing here?”
“I needed to clear my head after that whole thing, so I went for a ride.”
“And ended up here?”
He shrugged. “I figured you could use the help.”
Her eyebrows rose at that.
“You don’t believe I want to help you.”
“No, sorry, I don’t. I think you have some sort of ulterior motive for convincing Fletcher to rent me his house. You didn’t want me to get anything long-term because you hope I won’t be sticking around.”
“I didn’t say that.”
“No, but it’s obvious. And despite what you think, I’m good at my job.”
That remained to be seen.
“How did the intervention go?”
“Like expected.”
“I’m sure it was difficult.”
He shook his head. He didn’t want to talk about it. Not right now and not with her. “Did you get everything in one trip?”
“Yes, having a truck helped. Please thank Fletcher for me.” Her eyes narrowed on him. “Or didn’t he know I used it?”
“He knew.”
“And he knows I’m renting his house?”
“Damn, woman.”
“Well, you probably still haven’t told him about Murphy.”
He frowned. “Do you want to stay here or not? Your shit isn’t unloaded yet. We can easily drop it off at a motel.”
She rolled her lips inward. After a few seconds, she asked, “Are you always this cranky?”
No, he wasn’t. But after last night’s fantasy about her and then the intervention earlier with Nox, he was ready for this day to be over.
After he helped her move her shit inside.
Even though he shouldn’t be here. She could handle it on her own.
But here he was.
Christ.
Maybe she’d put in a good word with her father.
He grimaced. He didn’t need a good word. He was good at his damn job.
“Let’s go,” he barked, striding toward the back door. He would help her unload the boxes, then get the fuck out of dodge.
“You didn’t answer my question,” he heard behind him.
“No,” he answered, not bothering to hold the door for her. He just plowed through the house.
Women’s lib meant that she could hold her own damn door.
“No what? No, you’re not always cranky, or no, you’re not answering my question?”
“Where did you park the truck?”
“I backed into the garage. I figured it would be easier to unload it from there and if I didn’t get it done tonight, at least my stuff would be protected from the elements.”
He stopped in his tracks.
Well, damn. Proof she was smart and had common sense.
He shook his head and continued, heading through the laundry room and into the garage.
He dropped the tailgate on Fletch’s truck and his head jerked back at the little that she had. It was about a half dozen large cardboard boxes, one large suitcase and two smaller ones.
He reached in and grabbed the nearest box. “These boxes aren’t marked.”
“No, because I don’t have much. And I wasn’t planning on moving into a house.”
“Who doesn’t label their boxes?”
“The person standing behind you.”
He lifted the box and turned. “Where does this go?”
She shrugged. “It’s not marked, so I have no idea what’s in it.”
“Are you fucking kidding me?” Maybe she wasn’t so smart.
His head twitched when her laughter hit his ears and slid all the way down to his dick.
Jesus H. Christ. That was not good.
“Yes. I’m messing with you. It goes in the bedroom. All I have right now are clothes and personal items. Like I told you, the rest of my stuff is back at my parents’. I’ll keep it there until I find something more permanent.”
Good. She needed to keep it there in case this assignment didn’t work out.
And if it was up to him, this assignment wouldn’t work out.
He grunted and pushed past her, carrying the box inside. Fletch’s bedroom was oversized, so he dumped the box in an empty corner. He’d stack the rest there, too. On his way back to the garage, he had to pause to let her through the bedroom door first as she dragged the large suitcase past him.
They continued to retrace their steps from the truck to the bedroom until the truck bed was empty. The last load ended up being a bunch of dog supplies, including food, bowls, a huge dog bed and everything else a massive canine needed.