Page 90 of Simon Says

Drunks, Barber thought. They did the oddest things.

Now where the hell was the key?

CHAPTER 12

Anoise startled Simon awake. He jerked upright.

Dakota sat up, too.“What?”

The television sent flickering light around the room. They looked at each other, and Simon started to smile, but ended up wincing instead. “Oh, honey. Your poor face.”

Confused, Dakota blinked at him. “Why, you flatterer you.” She rubbed at one eye. “Did you really wake me up just to tell me how bad I look?”

“No.” He didn’t smile. “But damn. The puffiness is worse and the color’s deepened.” Simon grazed her cheek with his fingertips. “You’re beautiful, but sort of in a pea green mixed with purple way now.”

She made a face. “Perfect. I guess I should be glad you didn’t scream.”

He snorted. “I don’t scream, Dakota.”

She grinned as she looked around the room, then glanced at his lap. “I must have fallen asleep after you did.”

Feeling like an ass, Simon ran a hand over his head. He remembered wanting her, but also enjoying her company, the closeness and familiarity. He’d listened to her breathing, felt the gentle thumping of her heartbeat…“Sorry about that. I guess I’m not used to the late nights right now.”

“I didn’t mind.” Bobbing her eyebrows suggestively, she said, “It gave me a chance to check you out real close.”

“You don’t say?”

Still with her gaze on his lap, she said, “The last thing I remember was thinking how different you looked after you fell asleep.”

“Different?”

“There.” She nodded at his lap. “But you don’t really look different anymore.”

Knowing exactly what she meant, Simon grinned. “Morning wood. It’s not you. Or rather, not you just yet. But give me a minute….”

Another loud banging sounded, making Dakota jump and Simon scowl. Someone was at his door making a terrible racket.

“Ah, well. Male anatomy 101 will have to wait.” Throwing back the covers, he said, “Stay here,” and left the bed.

At the sound of yet more banging, he bellowed, “Keep your pants on! I’m coming.” He couldn’t imagine who’d be visiting him at…he glanced at a clock on the wall and cursed. It wasn’t even close to morning yet.

He looked out the peephole—and stiffened in incredulity. “No fucking way.” After jerking the door open, he demanded, “What the hell is this?”

Barber leaned against the porch wall, his hands folded behind his back, his eyes closed. He looked disgusted, half-embarrassed, and resigned to the inevitable.

The second the door opened, Bonnie threw herself against Simon and started babbling. Fury and confusion warred together. Simon turned to Barber for an explanation. “I’m listening.”

Barber shrugged. “Sorry, bud.” He stepped in around Simon. “I thought she was taking me to her place, but apparently not.”

“You got her drunk?” Simon pried Bonnie loose and held her away from him.

“No, I didn’t get her drunk. She got herself drunk while waiting for the band to finish.”

Simon’s eyebrows climbed high. He didn’t know Barber well, but given that he was Dakota’s friend, he’d had certain expectations about his character. Now Simon wasn’t so sure. He had no respect for men who took advantage of women. “And you were going home with her?”

“That’s right.” His expression turned stony. “In case you failed to notice, she’s wasted. I wasn’t about to let her drive. But then we got jumped in the parking lot, and Ms. Had-Too-Much-to-Drink gave me directions here. I didn’t know it was your place. But all the same, I’d like to call a cab.”

“Hell, no.” Simon dodged Bonnie as she tried to kiss him. “You’re not leaving her here with me, so forget it.”

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