Page 19 of Trick or Trouble
Chapter 5
Logan put his leanforefinger against Darcy’s lips.“You’re not getting out of it that easily, little witch.I’m fixing dinner tonight.Next weekend, it’s your turn.I look forward to the challenge.”
She studied him, the roses blooming in her cheeks, decorating the satiny texture of her skin.
“Last chance.”She grinned up at him.Despite her cheeky banner, Darcy’s big blue eyes were wary, untrusting, filled with insecurity and secrets.Beneath her prickly, antagonistic exterior, her confidence had been shattered, her self-esteem callously destroyed.Finding the jerk who had done this to her just became his number one goal.No one should be able to hide behind their credentials and play mind games with someone you are supposed to care about.
“I don’t want out, Darcy, I’m all in.I want to get to know everything about you,” he said firmly.
She was the one for him.Logan had never been so sure of anything in his life.Darcy’s fiery spirit attracted him like a moth to the flame.Her vulnerability brought out his protective side.The strength she didn’t even realize she had struck a chord deep inside him.It was why he had followed her despite her attempts to get rid of him.
This was no passing attraction.His body reacted to her with a fierce hunger he couldn’t ignore, but it was more than that.No other woman had ever unsettled him or awakened the part of him that demanded he stay and fight to win her trust.He wanted to prove to her that one man’s mistreatment didn’t have to define who she was—that she was worth far more than she gave herself credit for.
“Even though you know I’m a detective?”she asked warily.
He nodded.“I’m sure you’re a darned good one, sweetheart.All I ask is that you don’t take unnecessary risks.I’ll even help you if you’ll let me.I’ve always enjoyed unraveling mysteries.”
Her eyebrows shot up.“Have you ever been on a stake-out?”
“No, but how hard can it be?”
“It’s not hard—it’s head-banging, mind-numbinglyboring,” she emphasized.
“Do you stock up on coffee and donuts?”
She shook her head.“Bite-sized Baby Ruths are mystake-out go-to.That and plenty of coffee if it's at night—which they usually are.”
“I can see I’m going to be playing the health police in this partnership,” he teased.“A girl needs more than candy to sustain her.”
“My stake-out, my rules,” she replied, wagging her finger at him.
Logan opened his mouth for a comeback when the doorbell suddenly rang, startling them both.“Are you expecting company?”
Darcy frowned.“No.”
Just ringing the doorbell wasn’t enough.Loud knocking and banging ensued, along with a loud, definitely male, demanding voice.“Darcy, open this door.I know you’re in there.You can’t just blow me off and get by with it.Open this door.”
Logan’s eyebrows reached for the ceiling, and he turned to Darcy.“Doug, I presume?”
Darcy sighed and walked towards the door.“Yeah—sounds like him.”
Logan followed her to the door, not liking the man’s tone.He stood to the side, keeping his distance but able to jump in if she needed him.
“What do you want, Doug?”she asked impatiently as she yanked the door open.
