Page 36 of Slide

“One of ’em.” Howard smiled from ear to ear, white teeth—the odd one missing—showing through his bushy gray beard.

“That’s, ah…that’s nice.”

She turned back to Adam, giving him wide oh-my-God eyes. He no longer looked carved from stone. His lips were twitching, fighting a grin, then his body started shaking against hers. She couldn’t take her eyes off him when his finally slid to her. They were dancing with humor. It was the sexiest thing she’d ever seen.

“That’s what she said,” Howard added into the silence and winked.

They all lost it, even Howard, thankfully. Adam’s chuckles vibrated right through her, deep and rough. Even the man’s laugh was sex on a stick.

A short time later they drove into Dane, another small town, but bigger than Silverwood. Howard dropped them off outside the car rental office and went to meet his number two girlfriend before setting up his stall for the market.

“I’m almost tempted to go find this market just to check his girlfriend out,” Adam said as he watched the truck pull out.

She poked him in the ribs. “Hey, isn’t one enough for you?” Then she realized what she’d said. Oh shit. “I didn’t mean that how it sounded. I meant woman…not girlfriend. I know I’m not your girlfriend…”

His expression had changed, humor no longer dancing in his eyes. “Lucy—”

“I mean, jeez. I wouldn’t even want to be your girlfriend.” She screwed up her face in an attempt to convince him, while her cheeks burned like hell. “God, no. That would be…ack.”

Ack?

What the hell is wrong with you, Lucy?

He jerked back. “Ack?”

“What I was trying to say was…it’s just…um…”

He put his hand over her mouth, cutting her off. “Stop talking.”

“Right. Good idea,” she mumbled.

He removed his hand, only to brush the backs of his fingers across her cheek. “You blush so damn easily. Always have. Are you like that with everyone, or am I special?”

“I’m sorry to tell you this, Mr. Egomaniac, but it’s everyone.” She was totally lying. Only Adam made her face burn like a furnace. He made other areas pretty damn hot, too.

“Liar.”

“I can literally see your head getting bigger.”

“But you’re looking at my face.”

“Well…yes…”

He smirked.

She slapped his arm, faking outrage. “God, you’re a pervert.”

“I’m starting to think that’s what you like best about me.” He was still grinning, flashing those perfect white teeth, but there was something missing from his eyes. A hollowness that made her chest ache and her fingers itch to reach out and pull him into a tight hug.

Instead, she ignored the urge and snorted. “You’ve caught me out. I’m secretly a sexual deviant.” She dropped her gaze to the tattoo at his throat, unable to look into his eyes any longer. “You’ll get the car back.”

“I hope so, otherwise John’s business will feel it. Shit, it could end it. He can’t afford another hit.”

She touched his arm. “I’m sorry.”

His eyes dropped to her fingers and the muscles under her hands jumped before he looked back at her, eyes softer but more intense than she’d ever seen them.

Too intense.