Page 59 of Stuart Woods' Smolder

She looked torn.

“Too many good choices?”

“Something like that.” She took a breath. “Go change. We’ll have time for taking advantage of each other tonight.”

“I’ll hold you to that.” He grinned.

Once Stone changed outfits, they set off on a trail that took them into the mountains.

“I’m glad you didn’t let me back out of this. It’s exactly what I needed. And thank you for helping at the restaurant, too. I should have said that before.”

“Even if I wasn’t there, you would have held your own.”

“It’s nice to know there’s someone who would back me up like that.”

“Dalton used to be your boss?”

“Yes.”

“The same boss you talked to on the phone last night?”

She nodded.

“I can understand why you left for another job.”

Grimacing, she said, “I haven’t been completely open about my situation. Technically, I’m unemployed.”

“Left or fired?”

“The latter. And unjustly.”

“When?”

“Twelve days ago.”

Smirking, Stone said, “If his demeanor at work was anything like his behavior at the restaurant, he must have been a delight to work for.”

“Yeah, he’s quite the prick.”

“I think you’re being too kind.”

She laughed. “Probably.”

The path narrowed for a bit, forcing them to ride single file. When it widened again, Stone moved his horse to the side to make room for Monica.

“You mentioned working in finance, but you never said exactly what you did,” he said.

“Insurance, actually. I’m a fraud investigator at Vitale Insurance.Wasa fraud investigator, I mean.”

“And the prick?”

“My VP.”

“Ah, a prime example of the dregs rising to the top.”

“Why does that always seem to happen?”

“Trickle-down stupidity,” Stone said. “Let me guess, all the execs there are like him.”

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