Page 55 of Karma

“I’ll take herhome,” Dare said.

“Here we go again,” Liza mumbled. Today, she had her wits about her, and she’d also had the opportunity to experience the flip side of Dare’s do-gooder persona. It wasn’t going to happen again. “I don’t think so,” Liza said, responding to Dare. “But no,” she conceded to Sam, “I don’t have a ride home.”

Dare growled low in his throat.

“I have to take statements here. Why don’t you let Officer Barron take you home?” Sam actually sounded like he felt bad. “Since he’s on duty, it’s not like he can stick around,” he said to Liza.

“Way to help a buddy, Sam.”

She couldn’t help but laugh. The poor man was caught in the middle. “Fine. I’ll take the ride, Officer Barron.”

Liza was pleased to see Dare’s face had turned red with anger and frustration.

“Remember, I need you to come by and sign a statement,” Sam said.

Liza nodded. “I’m going to rent a car, so that won’t be a problem,” she said before Dare could possibly jump in and say he’d bring her down to the station.

He could drive her home, drop her off, and return to work. She didn’t need another thing from him. But when she rose to her feet, she was horrified to realize her legs were trembling.

Dare grabbed her elbow. “Normal reaction,” he assured her as he led her through the gathering crowd.

She glanced back, wincing as she saw the damage her car had done to the beautiful center of town. She’d mowed down the impatiens and taken out the gazebo. “So much for getting the Beautification Committee to put the fundraiser money into the youth center.” She shook her head, beyond disappointed that she’d undermined her own cause.

“I wouldn’t worry about that right now,” Dare said.

She ignored him and continued to do so on the walk to his car and the entire drive home.

He pulled into her driveway and cut the engine.

“Thanks for the ride,” she said in a polite if frosty tone.

It was his turn to ignore her. He climbed out of the car and walked around to her side, too late to open her door, but he still attempted to help her up the path to the house.

“I can get myself inside.” In fact, she already had her keys in her hand since she’d planned on bolting from him as soon as possible.

“Liza, you have every right to be angry as hell—” he said, looking too damned handsome in his uniform, his sunglasses covering his eyes until he slipped them to the top of his head.

“Thank you for your permission,” she sarcastically answered, holding on to her lingering hurt from earlier by a thread.

She let herself into her house. Unfortunately, she failed at her attempt to leave him on the other side of the door.

He barreled his way inside, following right behind her.

“I thought you had to go back to work,” she said, exasperated.

“I do. But not until I make sure you aren’t hurt.” He stared at her with such concern in those gorgeous brown eyes, he’d melt her heart if she let him.

She shivered and stepped farther away. “The paramedic already said I’m fine, so you have nothing to worry about. Which brings up an interesting point. What is with this sudden show of concern?”

And where had his caring been earlier?

He glanced down, obviously embarrassed. “I shouldn’t have taken my feelings for your brother out on you.”

“No, you shouldn’t have. It’s not like you didn’t know the situation before you sweet-talked your way into my bed.”

“Ouch.”

“What can I say? The truth hurts.” She let out a sigh, the exhaustion of the last couple of days catching up with her, and she leaned against the wall for support.

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