“Hmm, I’m not sure if I should be offended or not.”
“Don’t take it personal y. Pizza and chocolate top the list of favorite indulgences for most women.”
“And where do men rate?”
“Not very high, sorry.”
He licked his finger again, this time more slowly, as if he knew the effect it was having on her libido. “I feel chal enged to reach the top of your list, Gracie.”
She had to clear the lump out of her throat before she could reply. “You could try.”
He sat up straighter and murmured, “I don’t try, I succeed.”
“I—” The doorbel rang, interrupting her next teasing remark. Wade shot to his feet, then leaned down. When he straightened there was a smal gun in his hand. Where in the world had he been hiding that? “That’s probably Mrs. Swinson.”
“Probably, but it pays to be careful.” He went to the door and looked through the peephole, then chuckled.
“What’s so funny?”
“She’s a little . . . flamboyant.”
The doorbel chimed again, and Wade flipped the locks and opened the door. “Mrs. Swinson?”
“Wel , of course it is! Who else would I be?”
“Indeed,” he said and stepped back to let the smal whirlwind through.
Gracie contained a laugh. Barely. “The purple works for you, Jean.” The woman was forever changing her hair color. Last week it’d been a neon shade of green. This time it was a little less blinding, thank God.
“Yeah, the green made me look sickly.” She looked Gracie over and made a tsking sound. “You look like you’ve been hit by a truck, young lady.” She plopped a large duffel bag on the floor and hobbled over to the couch. She sat next to Gracie and patted her thigh. “You may as wel tel me everything. I know there must be a reason for that big hunk answering the door wielding a gun.”
Gracie pointedly eyed Wade’s weapon. He merely shrugged and tucked it into a hidden holster against his ankle. And why did that seem so sexy? “Uh, it’s a long story, Jean.”
She hopped up. “I’l get the coffee started then.” She looked at Wade and pointed to the pizza and napkins strewn about. “You, make yourself useful and clean up this mess.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Ma’am? Cal me that again, and I’l flatten you. It’s Jean.”
“Right, sorry. Wade Harrison.”
She grinned and nodded. “You’re trainable; I like that in a man.” She was already heading for the kitchen and missed the frown Wade tossed her way.
“She’s interesting.”
“She grows on you.”
He grunted and started cleaning up their dinner. She felt guilty sitting there while everyone else worked. She started to stand, but Wade was too quick. In a heartbeat, he was in front of her, pressing on her shoulders. “Don’t piss me off by trying to get up. I wil paddle your ass, Gracie.”
“That’s supposed to sound threatening, but right now it just sounds sort of fun.”
He frowned as he crouched in front of her. “You feeling okay, honey?”
Actual y, she did feel a little . . . off. “Loopy. Why do I feel loopy, Wade?”
“The meds. We should cal your doctor and see about getting the dose adjusted.”
“Good idea. I’l do it tomorrow. I won’t need another one tonight anyway.”