Passion's Law Read Free

charm starts to wear thin. How long do you think you can stand it, Miss McGrath?”
    â€œI told you. For as long as my uncle needs me.”
    â€œEven if it turns out to be months?”
    She nodded. “That’s right.” She arched a brow. “Is that a look of skepticism, Detective?”
    â€œCould be. Personally I doubt you’ll last more than a week or two before you get the urge to race back to civilization.”
    â€œIs that so? You wouldn’t care to bet on that, would you?”
    For the first time his lips curved slightly, the onlyhint of humor. “Are you asking a man of the law to gamble?”
    â€œAfraid you’ll lose?”
    He continued staring at her. “Are you a betting woman, Miss McGrath?”
    â€œI’ve been known to make a wager or two.”
    â€œHave you now?” He gave her a measuring look that had the heat rising to her cheeks. “Five bucks says you’re bored out of your mind and out of here within two weeks.” He stuck out his hand. “Deal?”
    She glanced down at his hand, then up into those challenging eyes. “Oh, yeah. How can I resist such an easy way to make five dollars? You’re on, Detective.”
    He closed his hand over hers and, too late, she remembered how she’d felt the first time his hand had held hers. The heat was back, racing along her spine, surging through her veins. But when she tried to pull free, he merely drew her closer, until his lips hovered just above hers. “My friends call me Thad.”
    â€œReally?” She wanted to look away, but wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. Instead she lifted her head, forcing herself to meet that steely gaze. “Then I guess I’ll call you Detective Law, because I don’t see the two of us becoming friends. Would you like to pay up now? Or are you going to make me wait until the two weeks are up?”
    He chuckled. He’d give her this much. She didn’t back down. “You haven’t won anything yet, Miss McGrath. As for me, I think my job just got more interesting.”
    â€œYour job?” She was suddenly alert as she yanked her hand free and studied him more carefully. “You’re…working here? I thought this was just a routine visit, and that you wouldn’t be back.”
    â€œSorry to disappoint you.”
    For the first time she noticed the notepad in his other hand. Her voice lowered. “If this isn’t merely a routine check, does this mean something is wrong?”
    He kept his features deliberately unreadable. “Sorry, Miss McGrath. I’m not at liberty to discuss my business with anyone except your uncle.”
    â€œOf course.” She felt the sting of censure and wondered how it was that this man could make her feel so damnably awkward. In any other man his attitude would come across as pure arrogance, but she had the feeling that in Thad Law, it was simply the way he conducted business. No doubt he put up a wall between himself and every civilian he came in contact with.
    â€œWell.” She took a step back, needing to put some distance between them so she could catch her breath. “Don’t let me stop you, Detective.”
    Instead of giving her the space she so obviouslywanted, he leaned close and watched the way her eyes narrowed. “I told you. It’s Thad. Why don’t you try it?”
    â€œWhy don’t you—” She drew in a breath when she saw the hint of humor in his eyes. She counted to ten, then tried again. “Okay. Why not? I guess I’ll be seeing you around, Thad.”
    â€œYou can count on it, Miss McGrath.”
    â€œMy name is Heather.”
    He seemed to consider that a moment, as though fitting the name to the woman. “You can count on seeing me around, Heather.” He stood there a moment longer, feeling the tension hum between them. Then he turned on his heel.
    She watched him walk away. It occurred to her that