Searching for Disaster Read Free Page A

restaurants, and . . . dancing opportunities.”
    She couldn’t help it. She laughed, then twisted around to meet his gaze. “We just met, screwed, and now you’re asking me to follow you to the city while you train to be a cop?”
    He winced. “I don’t like the word screw .”
    â€œWhere did you come from, Liam?”
    He sighed. “That’s what my brother asks me a lot.”
    â€œInviting a strange woman into your life can be dangerous.”
    His full lips parted in a smile as she used his own words against him. “Maybe I’m a dangerous type of guy. Maybe I’m ready for my own adventure.” His finger traced the curve of her cheek, the line of her jaw. His blue eyes filled with a tenderness she hadn’t seen in a very long time. This man had a heart and soul to give some lucky woman. He didn’t realize how broken she was. How trouble stuck to her very aura like static cling.
    But oh, how her heart suddenly leaped in her chest. To be with him for as long as it lasted. Or at least a little while longer. “I’m not good at commitments.”
    â€œNot asking for one.”
    â€œWhat are you asking for, then?”
    â€œTime.”
    Yes. Time. What a perfect answer to satisfy both of them. Time to explore, grow closer, grow apart. She’d talk to Raven. Her friend had been getting itchy herself lately—looking to settle down into a more permanent job. Maybe this would be a good opportunity. “I’ve been wanting to spend some time working on my comedy routines. They have tons of clubs there ripe for a new stint.”
    He blinked. “Are you funny?”
    She sighed. “Not really. But it’s been on my bucket list.”
    His smile reminded her of sunshine and rainbows after a hard rain. “Then I’ll sit in the audience of the improv and arrest anyone who tries to throw rotten apples at you.”
    She giggled. Izzy hadn’t known she had any giggles left from her childhood. Somehow he’d wrested one out of her. His eyes blazed blue flames and he lowered his head to kiss her again.
    A loud banging filled the air. “Izzy! Open up; it’s Rick. Got something for you.”
    â€œHang on a sec.” She looked around for something to cover herself with, finally grabbing a ratty blue blanket and wrapping it tightly around her body. She opened the door a few inches and peeked out.
    Rick grinned. His ginger hair, pale skin, and black-framed glasses made him look more like a professor than a student. “Hey, Izzy. Bunch of people been looking for you.”
    â€œSorry, I’m tied up. Does Tammy need me? Or Raven?”
    His gaze probed the empty space, then he gave a knowing laugh. “Ah, got it. When you’re done being tied up, come to room 3A. Tammy wants to hang with you. For now, here’s a start-up. Consider it a freebie.”
    He shoved the brown paper bag at her.
    She grabbed it.
    Then trembled. Her fingers clutched it with sheer possessiveness but she tried to fight the impulse. “Umm, I don’t need this right now. Thanks anyway.”
    The knowledge in his eyes held no mockery or judgment. “Sure you don’t. Like I said, it’s just a gift. For now.”
    â€œBut—”
    He turned and walked away, leaving the bag behind.
    Izzy shut the door and dropped the package on the table. Stared at it for a moment. She didn’t have to open it. It wasn’t a big deal that she happened to like some weed now and then like most of the population. Sure, she’d done some coke, too, but she had things under control. Wasn’t like she was a meth head, and hell knows she didn’t shoot anything up. Needles were a deal breaker.
    Freebie.
    Her fingers shook slightly as she removed the contents and registered what she held. The small vial of pure-white powder beckoned. Not now, of course. She’d wait till the bad stuff crept in her head again, and a