MM01 - Valley of Fire Read Free Page B

him out.”
    “I didn't pick him out for his looks, Evelyn. I researched his background and selected him because he's supposed to be good. Quit gawking.” She dug into her purse and pulled out a handful of bills. “This will pay for the limousine. I'll be in touch as soon as I can.”
    “Would you just look at those legs of his? You're liable to come back from Vegas with more than Lucky.”
    “Not if I can help it.” Martha Ann turned to glance out the window at Rick McGill. He did look handsome in the early morning sun. She rolled her eyes heavenward. Lord, did you have to make him so delicious looking? Turning back to Evelyn, she gave her a quick hug. “Wish me luck.”
    “Good luck.”
    Martha Ann composed her face into just the right blend of aloofness and mystery and allowed the hired driver to help her from the car. He got her bags and delivered her to the sidewalk, where Rick was waiting.
    “I'm glad to see you wore something sensible today.” He assessed her with a boldness that made her believe he was seeing through her jeans and shirt, all the way to her black lace panties.
    “Is that good morning, Mr. McGill?” Gracious , how his dark eyes danced when he looked at a woman. She managed a disgusted sniff, which was probably the best acting job she'd ever done. What she really wanted to do was drool and swoon. “If it is, your manners leave a lot to be desired.”
    “If you want formality and manners, you've come to the wrong place.” He grinned at her. By George, she was good. He planned to enjoy this case to the hilt, starting right now. Reaching out, he patted her bottom. “Pick up your gear, sweetheart. It's time to get going.”
    He watched with amusement as she jumped out of his reach and feigned outrage. Picking up her suitcase, she glared at him. On her, the expression looked cute.
    “You're certainly no gentleman. Rick McGill.”
    “No, I'm not, and I don't intend to be. Remember that.”
    “Yesterday you said you didn't fool around with married women.”
    “I've changed my mind.”
    “Have you no scruples?”
    “No. Do you?”
    “Of course.”
    Moving with the ease of a predator who was sure of his quarry, he took her suitcase and dropped it onto the sidewalk, then pulled her into his arms. He tipped her face up with one finger.
    “Let's see how many scruples you have, Mrs. Lucky O'Grady.”
    Her mouth was as soft and lush as he knew it would be. He took his time kissing her, waiting out the initial resistance, stoking the fires he knew were there. They weren't long in coming. He felt the heat and sizzle of her all the way through his flight jacket. When Martha Ann Riley heated up, she did it with style. That long, lithe body sort of melted into his, and those delicious lips moved in magical ways.
    He was going to enjoy this case, all right. If he lived through it. The enterprising beauty in his arms had already lied about her name, her wealth, and her marital status. What else was she lying about? As her mouth continued to move under his, he knew that finding out was going to be one of the most exciting things he'd done in a long, long time. And probably one of the most dangerous too. Just being in the same corner of the earth with a woman who kissed the way she did was dangerous.
    Rick McGill loved danger. He courted it a moment longer before letting her go; then he pulled back and smiled down at her.
    “Just as I thought,” he said.
    “What?”
    “This lady is not a lady after all.”
    The beauty mark above her lip looked fetching on her flushed face. He saw no reason to resist bending over to kiss it. So he didn't.
    “Stop doing that,” she said.
    “When you stop liking it, I will.” Grinning, he patted her bottom again. Then he picked up his suitcase and started toward the red Corvette parked beside the curb. “Let's go, sweetheart. I can tell you need that husband of yours.”
    What she needed was to have her head examined, Martha Ann thought as she picked up her own bag