Page 22 of Rock Chick Rescue

Eddie didn’t know that, of course, and I wasn’t going to tell him. But still.

“I’m guessing any problem with Slick is a problem you can’t take care of,” Eddie returned.

“I’ll deal with it.”

“Jet.”

“I’ll deal with it! It’s what Ido! Okay? I deal with things. I’ll find some way to deal with this too!” I shouted.

Yeesh.

After my outburst, he watched me for a beat and I saw his eyes change again. This time, they grew warm. I was finding I wasn’t really very good with Eddie’s warm eyes on me. It did funny things to my thought processes.

His hand came up and he ran his knuckles down my jaw.

“Don’t do that,” I said, pulling my face away.

“Chiquita, when you get done this afternoon, I’m picking you up and taking you to my house. I’m making a pitcher of margaritas, getting you shitfaced and you’re finally gonna talk to me.”

I stared at him in total shock.

“About what?” I asked, trying not to sound terrified.

“Aboutanything.”

It was panic time. How it didn’t kick in earlier, I’d never know. I was beginning to feel weak in the knees and funny in the belly.

Eddie went on, “We can start with why you’re workin’ at Smithie’s and we’ll move on to why you wanted me to think you didn’t like Mexicans.”

Um, no wayin hell.

“I can’t,” I said.

“Why not?” he asked.

“I just can’t. I have things to do.”

“What things?”

I stared at him for a second. “Just…things.”

He ignored me.

“I’ll be here at three to pick you up.”

I shook my head.

It registered at that inopportune moment that I could smell him. He smelled really nice and I liked it. It also registered that I liked to feel the heat from his body and the way it brushed against mine. Furthermore, I also liked that warm look in his eye.

I liked a lot of things about Eddie.

No, I liked everything about Eddie.

Dear Lord.

I took a shaky breath. I noticed Eddie was watching me. I had to admit, I liked that too.

“Jet, three o’clock,” Eddie said.

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