Page 83 of The Fixer

Raw hunger glinted in his eyes, and his mouth curved suggestively. “You have no idea.”

“Oh.” Her insides fizzed and her core throbbed while her emotions went into jack-rabbit mode. “Is that a good thing or a bad thing?”

“Right now it’s a bad thing because there’s nothing I can do about it. And sitting in this cramped back seat has things bending that aren’t supposed to bend.”

She couldn’t contain her giggles. “S-sorry. I’m not laughing at you, I’m laughing with you.”

“Except I’m not laughing.”

She pointed at his front pocket. “Do you still have the key?”

He nodded.

“Then I guess you’re driving after all.”

For not showing muchinterest in performance vehicles, Charlie maneuvered the M3 expertly around the twisty turns that took them back to Fall River. Whenever Joy stole glances at him, he was quiet, intense. A man on a mission. She hoped that mission washer.Then again, maybe he was a man trying not to throw up or do anything that would damage the rental car. Either way, she was grateful he was behind the wheel on this dizzying road. The fact that she had turned control over to him was … quite unusual.

As they crested the ridge that surrounded Fall River, its twinkling lights came into view. The town was laid out in a neat little grid, with Bowen Street at its center, the brightest line of the entire town. A gleaming jewel. That’s what it reminded her of.

They rolled into town at a crawl. Not a creature stirred on either side of Bowen Street. It was a haunting sight, with moonlight bouncing off darkened shop windows. A look at the dashboard clock told her it wasn’t quite midnight. She knew the town buttoned up early, butthisearly? No late-night disco dancing for this crowd, obviously. Even the Miners Tavern was shuttered, and its loft apartment windows were dark.Hopefully, Hailey was sound asleep … or engaging in something altogether more vigorous … in Noah’s arms.

“Where do people go around here if they’re not ready to turn in at nine o’clock?” she mused aloud.

Charlie shot her a sidelong glance that bordered on perturbed. She had to remember not to insult his town. “I mean, someplace where they can dance and kick up their heels or enjoy a nightcap?” she quickly added. Not that she was a kicker-upper of heels or a nightcap indulger.

“Silver Summit is the closest. It’s about ten miles away, in the other direction. They have a bar that stays open late. People having fun will turn anything into an impromptu dance floor, but there’s no dedicated space. Beyond that, the locals have parties that can get rowdy on occasion, but those are private invite-only.” He turned his head toward her when theyhit a rare patch of straight highway. “Why? You still looking to shake your booty tonight, princess?” One side of his mouth pulled up in that sexy smile that had been growing on her for days now.

“No, I had my fill of ‘booty shaking’ at the Silver Lode, thank you very much.” And on a scale of one to ten, dancing with Charlie Hunnicutt had been an eleven. Not that she was going to share this rating with him—the man’s ego had to be pretty puffed up already with all the attention he’d received from his adoring fans. “I was just curious, trying to get a feel for the area.” For reasons that escaped her at the moment.

He didn’t question her motivation. Simply slid the car into a spot beside a silver Mercedes in front of the shop, killed the engine, and handed her the key fob.

She blinked at the device in her open palm. “Don’t you want me to drive you home?”

“No, I really don’t.” His expression remained neutral.

“What about your dogs?”

“My dogs don’t want you to drive me home either.”

A giggle escaped her. “Don’t you need to feed them? Let them out?”

“They should be fine.”

“What if you, um, stay out really late? What do you do then?”Awkward much, Joy?

“If I’m in a jam, I text Neve.”

An unfamiliar spike of jealousy reared its ugly head. “Neve,” Joy said flatly.

“Yeah, Neve. My friend, your friend. The vet. She and I trade back and forth.”

“What the hell else do you trade?” she blurted. She flinched inside at her ill-timed and ill-worded question and quickly added, “Not that it’s any of my business.”

“No, it’s not. But for your information, it’s not what you and the rest of the town think. We’re just good friends. Period. Now are we done here? Can we get out of the car?”

“Oh, of course. Are you angling to … to come in?” she stammered.Please say yes.God, she was out of practice at this game.

He sighed. “Back at the Silver Lode, when we …” He signaled between them with two fingers. “I thought there was chemistry happening, but I’m getting a distinct vibe you’d like me to go, so I’m guessing I read the signalswrong. It won’t be the first time I misinterpreted what a woman has on her mind.” He shrugged. “Just tell me to go. I won’t be mad. I won’t be offended. I’m not trying to pressure you in any way. In fact, what I’m ‘angling for’ is probably a colossally bad idea.” He opened the door and clambered out of the driver’s seat.

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