Page 3 of Love Bomb

And that wasn’t even the worst of it.

From the moment she turned twelve, she’d been a thorn in his side. No matter where he went, there she was. His little red-headed shadow, scaring off every girl he talked to, sabotaging his dates, and driving him mad.

He should never have befriended her on her ninth birthday. He’d been too damn soft, falling for her tears when he’d found her locked out of the castle and her parents gone for the weekend. He should have directed her to the local police station for professional help. But no, he’d been horrified that she was alone on her birthday and had taken her home instead—where his mother had made a fuss over her, and his brothers had practically adopted her. And his life of suffering had begun.

He’d been stuck with her until she’d left town five years later.

“That was rude,” the demon said from the kitchen doorway.

Bain wasn’t even surprised to see her there. After all, he’d been the one to give her the lock picks and show her how to use them.

“This is breaking and entering,” he said as he folded his arms. “I’m trying to decide whether to call the cops or just pick you up and turf you into the street.”

She was still tiny. It wouldn’t take much effort. In fact, he doubted he’d even break a sweat.

She rolled her witchy green eyes, which were still too big for her face, and casually started unfastening her luminous purple coat. “It’s freezing out there. How about you make me a cup of tea and we have a civilized conversation, like the two adults we are now.”

“I’m leaning towards throwing you out.” He thought about it. “And confiscating those damn picks while I’m at it.”

“Stop being such a drama queen and put the kettle on.” She took off the coat and tossed it over the back of a kitchen chair.

Whoa.

Bain stared at her before blinking several times. What the hell? Where had those curves come from? Last time he’d seen her, she’d been a stick insect with sharp elbows and frizz for hair. Now he thought about it, the frizz was gone too. In its place were bright corkscrew curls that cascaded down her back to her very curvy behind. He swallowed hard. Her waist was tiny. And her breasts…

“Eyes up here, buster,” Rona snapped.

For the first time in his adult life, Bain blushed. It was humiliating.

“So sue me for staring,” he growled as he pointed at her chest. “Those weren’t there the last time I saw you.”

“They’re called boobs, Bain.” Rona pulled out a chair, sat down and crossed her legs. “Most women have them.”

“You didn’t.”

“I was a girl last time I saw you, and I was a late developer.” She glared at him. “Do you really want to discuss my boobs, or would you like to know why I’m here?”

Bain was torn.

Her boobs were quite spectacular, even though she was doing nothing to draw attention to them. She’d dressed in a bulky cable-knit sweater in a flattering shade of moss green that brought out the color in her eyes and made her hair glow. The sweater looked soft. Touchable. He liked it.

“Bain!” she snapped. “Tea. And talk. Get your eyes off my chest or I’ll practice that move you taught me. You’ll be walking funny for a week.”

With a sigh, Bain turned and flicked the electric kettle on. If there was one thing he’d learned about Rona Dalgliesh during the time she’d been glued to his side, it was that she carried through on a threat.

“What do you want, Rona?” he said as he leaned back against the counter, folding his arms. And yeah, a body language expert would have had no problem reading him. He was keeping as much distance, and as many barriers as possible, between him and the demon.

“I want to hire you.” She stuck her little nose in the air. “For your professional abilities, not your stud value.”

“Funny. So funny.” He cocked an eyebrow. “You couldn’t afford my stud fees.”

She chuckled. “Please, we both know you give it away to any girl who passes by.”

That was just offensive. He’d been picky about his bed partners for several years now. Not that anybody in town believed he’d changed. It seemed his youthful reputation was hard to live down.

“Are you always rude to the people you want something from?” he asked.

“I guess you bring out the best in me,” she said.