Hardheaded Brunette Read Free Page A

sword."
    Gilda raised one eyebrow. Fabio had already proven the sword wasn't lethal. She didn't want to know about any other "weapons" Kane could be armed with, but Marion tilted her head to study him from head-to-toe with keen interest.
    "You are such a liar." Kane grunted as he retrieved the sword from Fabio. "It seriously couldn't hurt anyone, mate. Well, not the way I was using it, anyway."
    "More to the point, he couldn't hurt anyone." The woman latched onto Kane's other arm. "For a flashy MMA fighter, he's a total pussycat. Even his trainer couldn't turn him into a real man."
    Marion snorted and shot the woman an evil glance.
    "And who are you?" Fabio asked.
    "I'm his girlfriend, Mena Trava. Am I under arrest too?" She didn't bother to stick out a hand, just her chest and lower lip. "Do you need to search me, Officer?"
    "No." Thayer blushed.
    Gilda rolled her eyes.
    Mena held her hands out from her sides and gave him a long, lingering look. "Pity."
    Kane shrugged out of her grip and dragged Gilda up the beach. " Ex -girlfriend who stalks me everywhere I go. Could you arrest her for me, please?"
    "Ex-girlfriend with numerous flexible benefits," Mena called after them.
    "Whatever." Kane reddened. He stopped and turned around to face the others. "Can I press charges, mate? There's a long list of lines she's crossed today alone."
    Thayer and Fabio exchanged awkward glances but said nothing.
    Gilda frowned as Marion tagged after them. Didn't anyone believe in a real relationship anymore? All she'd ever wanted was an old-fashioned, fairy tale romance with a happy ending. What she'd ended up with was Thayer, who cheated on her, and Mick… Well, since her relationship with Mick was still in the infancy stage, she'd have to wait and see. His track record with women wasn't great, and Thayer seemed determined not to let her forget that point.
    "Kane and I are here to teach classes at the new martial arts school for Mick Williams. I'm the new yoga instructor." Mena smiled as she caught up to Thayer. "We plan to open a New Age store in town as well."
    Kane's face tightened. "What do you mean 'we'? I told you, I don't want anything to do with your wacko voodoo shop."
    "We'll talk later, sweetie. I'll convince you to invest in it yet." She stumbled and toppled into Thayer with a squeal then grabbed his arm to keep from falling. "Are you really a cop?"
    Thayer reached into his jacket then flashed his badge. "Yup."
    "I do like a man in uniform." Mena leaned into him.
    Kane tightened his arm around Gilda's waist as Marion caught up to them and lowered his voice. "Actually, she prefers her men out of uniform, if you know what I mean."
    "You are so jealous." Mena turned to Gilda. "Are you a cop too, sweetheart? You don't look like you can meet the entrance requirements."
    Gilda shook her head, shoving away from Kane. "No, I'm—"
    Marion jumped in. "Gilda is Mick's girlfriend and the receptionist at the karate school."
    "Mick has a girlfriend now, huh?" Mena arched her waxed eyebrows. "That's interesting. So I guess that means he finally got over his ex-wife and is playing the field again. I've been waiting to hear that news for a long time."
    Marion growled. "Back off, sister. He's taken."
    "For now." Mena smiled.
    Gilda wasn't sure how interesting her romance with Mick actually was, but she certainly didn't like Mena's tone of voice. It seemed Marion had unwittingly issued a challenge.
    "Don't let her rattle you, love." Kane took Gilda by the arm. "Mena has an insatiable desire to make a fool of herself everywhere she goes. When it comes to men, she's got pretty low standards."
    "Oh, please." Mena batted her fake eyelashes. "Honey, I've got heels higher than your standards, and you haven't kicked me out of your bed yet."
    "Not that I haven't tried." Kane sighed. "How many times do you have to swat a mosquito before it gets the hint?"
    Gilda glanced at Thayer as she struggled out of Kane's grip. "If you ever find out, let me know."
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