Page 6 of Totally Off Limits

That was a dangerous place to let her mind wander off to.

“I’m a nurse now, so fair warning—I won’t stop preaching to you about how bad that is for your health.”

“I’ll take that risk.”

As much as part of her wanted to reconnect, she knew talking with Mickey was dangerous for so many reasons—not only was she bound to fall for him all over again, but the bigger issue was being caught talking with him. Her mother would grill her ceaselessly until she could assure her that it was nothing more than a friendly conversation.

She needed to get away now. “I’m calling a cab,” she said, searching the browser for the number of the service in town. “It was good seeing you again, Mickey.”

“Acab? I can give you a ride to wherever you want to go.”

“But—”

“Seriously, Sierra. You promised me a drink and a dance…so I’ll settle for a little conversation instead.”

It was the right thing to do really. Glancing around, hoping she looked casual while really she was making sure her family’s eyes were nowhere near, she said, “Yeah, sure.”

“Let me lead you to my coach, milady,” he said, bowing. Sierra couldn’t help but laugh as she walked closer. “This way.” As they started moving across the parking lot, he asked, “What was your daughter’s name again?”

This part of the conversation would have to be over quickly. She couldn’t risk having him thinking far too much about her child. “Mia. She’s staying with grandma and her favorite aunties for the reception, and they’ll bring her home later.”

“So what’s going on with you that you have to leave in the middle of everything?”

While she wracked her brain for the best answer she could give him, she was looking around for the car he would be driving. The only car she remembered was an old beat-up red clunker—but he was leading her directly to a beautiful blue sportscar. It wasn’t until she took another two steps that she could read the wordCorvetteon the logo. “Wait—isthisyour car?” It had to be a rental and who knew how much that would cost per day?

“Yep. I bought it last year.”

“Youownit?”

“Yeah.” When she raised her eyebrows, he said, “It’s my one splurge…makes me feel like I’m living the good life.”

When he opened the passenger door for her, she slid in and waited for him to close it before she realized she’d been holding in a breath. As he got in the driver side, he said, “That dress looks good on you.”

Her cheeks almost turned pink. “Thanks. You look nice, too. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you wear a suit before.”

“I figured I should if I’m here for one of my best friends. Plus he’s kinda my boss.”

“Yeah? What are you doing nowadays anyway?”

Turning the ignition, he gave the car some gas and Sierra could feel it purring softly beneath her feet. She couldn’t help but smile, because the only other sports cars she’d ever ridden in had belonged to her father and brother. She didn’t realize she was smiling at him until he smiled back, and then he shifted his gaze toward the rear window while reversing the car. “You don’t know?”

“Nope.”

As he eased the car through the parking lot, his grin grew a little wider. “You remember I was in a band a few years ago?”

Oh.“Yeah.” That was part of what had made him so hot as an adult. But who was she kidding? That was just the cherry on top of the Mickey sundae. It merely made the long hair and tattoos more a requirement than an artistic statement.

“So I’m now in a band called Shock Treatment. Have you heard of us?”

“Sorry. No. Um…ever since becoming a mom, about the only music I hear is from Disney movies and Nickelodeon.”

Laughing, he pulled the car out onto the main road. “That shit’s got some merit.”

“Mia seems to think so.”

“Have you at least heard of J.C. Gibson?”

That name rang a bell. “Yeah. Didn’t he used to live in Winchester and now he’s some famous rock star?”

---