Page 29 of Hot to Trot

They broke apart.

She grabbed the bars so she wouldn't conk her head against them. She felt drugged. Out of it. That's how strong the wave of desire had been. And it had beached her. She felt wrung out and dazed, lying facedown on the sand.

Adam looked much the same way. He took one step backward. Then another, blinking once. Twice. Three times before spinning toward the door of the holding room.

''Hinton? Where are you?" the voice called.

Adam cleared his throat and returned his gaze to where she clung to the cell bars. "Back here, Drake. In the holding room."

Scarlet straightened, dragged the back of her hand across her lips and whispered, "Holy guacamole."

Adam shook his head, as if he were denying what had occurred between them. He stepped to the desk, then fell into the chair and tucked himself under the surface so his lower half was hidden. She almost laughed, but it wasn't quite funny.

She wasn't sure what it was. The door to the holding room flew open.

"Whatta you doin' back here?" the man said, entering the room, holding a pizza box.

His dark hair brushed his shoulders, highlighting a craggy profile, and a small beer belly that pooched out beneath the T-shirt emblazoned with a Mamma Mia's logo. He swiveled his head like a hawk and caught sight of her. "Oh. I see."

Adam managed a smile."Hey, right on time."

"Yo," Drake said, dumping the pizza on the desk and sliding her way. He literally slid in the checked slip-on Vans he wore. The legs beneath the ragged cutoffs were peppered with dark hair and hadn't seen much sun for mid-August. "If I commit a crime, can I get locked up with her?"

His words were for Adam, but his dark eyes never left hers.

"Do you know how to do nails? 'Cause I could use a manicurist," Scarlet raised her hands with presto-change-o flourish. She wiggled her fingers. She'd peeled off more teal polish as she leafed through the magazine. She gave him a teasing smile, hoping like hell he bought her light tone and flirtatious manner. She still felt a little shell-shocked from Adam's kiss.

The man smiled back. "Oh, the things I could do to those hands."

“Like a French manicure?”

Adam cleared his throat. "How much do I owe you, Drake?"

"You're not going to introduce me to the lady?"

"Since when have you ever taken interest in my work?" Adam said. He sounded irritated. Or maybe it was jealousy that laced his words. Or perhaps it was anger. He'd lost control. He'd done something very non-chief-like. Something a little naughty.

And thank goodness he had. Scarlet didn't think there was any way to repay him for what he'd done. For what he'd given her back. Finally, she'd felt desire again.

She moved one hand to touch the golden slipper, but it wasn't there. It was in an envelope along with her red watch and hoop earrings. Her personal effects.

"Since you started hauling in sexy vampire queens." Drake grinned and waggled his bushy eyebrows at her. He was cute in a cheesy sorta way. "Lady Veronica, I'm at your disposal."

Scarlet held her smile. "Now, darling, you don't want to get put in here with me. I bite."

"Oh, God," Drake said, clasping his chest. "Don't worry about paying, Hinton. I'm off to rob Oak Stand National."

Scarlet laughed. Adam didn't. Instead he stood, pulled two twenties out of a shiny leather wallet and slapped it against Drake's chest. "Keep the change.”’

Drake took the money. "Man, you never let me have any fun."

"That's my job," Adam said drily.

Drake extended a hand toward her. "I'm Drake Marciano. I own Mamma Mia's. That pie is my specialty made just for him. We call it ‘The Law.’ Make sure he lets you have a slice.”

Scarlet clasped his hand. It was a little sweaty. Or maybeyeastywould be the word. She would be willing to bet he was the type of guy who tossed the pizza dough in the air with acrobatic energy. "I think he owes me three pieces."

A smile twitched at Adam's lips, but the rest of him remained stoic.

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