Page 3 of Trick or Trouble
“No...and no.”She took the camera, and their fingers brushed against each other.She jumped like she’d been shocked by a static charge.Heart pounding, she took the camera bag from the pocket in her skirt and placed it inside, then slung it over her shoulder.
“What’s your name?”he asked.
“That’s none of your business.Just be thankful I’m not pressing charges.”She moved stiffly away, trying not to let on how sore she was.The board attached to the end of his wrist had done a number on her tender bottom, and she just wanted to get away, go home, and soak away her shame and embarrassment.
But no, once again, her arm was taken in that firm grasp, and she was turned gently to face him.“I insist on seeing you home.”
“Don’t bother.”
He chuckled.It was deep.Rich.Entirely appropriate for a man who had just manhandled a stranger in an alleyway.It could compete with a Baby Ruth reaction.
“It’s no bother.”He took Holly’s arm in his other hand.“Say goodnight to Miss Bunny and Miss Cat, Holly.You’re coming with me.”
“But, Uncle Logan,” Holly protested, trying to pull away.“You’re treating me like a baby, let go of me.”
“Good night, Holly,” her friends chorused as he led her and Holly down the block towards a silver Camaro.They could all hear the other two girls snickering.
“You can’t do this to me, Uncle Logan,” Holly yelped furiously.“I’ll be the laughingstock of my friends now.”
“My car is just around the corner,” Darcy said, trying to pull out of his grasp.“I’ll be fine, just let go of me.”
“Get in,” he ordered, ignoring both of their protests.
Fuming, she obeyed, sitting gingerly on the leather of the front seat while Holly, still complaining, climbed into the back.
Darcy didn’t need the mirror over the visor to know she looked like she’d gone ten rounds with the proverbial cat.Her witch hat was hanging down her back, her hair was a tangled mess, and her dignity had deserted her back there in the alley.To top it all off, she was trapped in a car with a man who clearly thought he was judge, jury, and executioner with that hard hand of his.
She sneaked a surreptitious look at those hands on the steering wheel as he pulled the car into the flow of traffic.
“What’s your name?”He glanced sideways at her as he flicked on the turn signal.“And this time I want an answer.”
His tone brooked no argument, and Darcy grudgingly gave in.“Darcy.”
He lifted his eyebrow and shot her a warning glance.
“Darcy DeAngelo.”She fumed, instinctively knowing what that eyebrow meant and hating herself for responding to his take-charge attitude.“What’s yours?”she asked defiantly.“I’ll need to know when I press charges for assault.”He looked amused, which only annoyed her more.
“It’s Logan Thompson,” he said smoothly.“Holly’s uncle.You’re not actually thinking of reporting this, are you?”
“Maybe.”Her tone was pure defiance, even though she knew she wouldn’t.There was no way she was going to explain this to a cop.She could just imagine the police report now: Thevictim’s backside was assaulted by mistake.No visible injuries, unless you count pride.She would be the laughingstock of the law enforcement world.Yeah, not happening.But she wasn’t about to let him off the hook either.
“What’s with the whole ‘smack ass’routine, huh?You get your kicks from playing caveman, or is this your charming personality?”
Holly snorted in the back seat.
Logan didn’t flinch.“Not a caveman.Just a believer in consequences.Call it old-school if you want, but there was a time when accountability meant more than a passive-aggressive text and a blocked number.”
She narrowed her eyes.“And now you're out here trying to bring back the Dark Ages one swat at a time?”
His eyes were serious.“Some people never stopped living that way.You’d be surprised.”
“Yeah, well, those people probably churn their own butter and call the internet the devil.Not me.”She crossed her arms.“I believe in equality, human rights, and not getting my butt blistered for having an opinion.”
“The world’s a strange place,” he said, unbothered.“One minute you’re climbing the corporate ladder, the next you’re over someone’s knee, rethinking your life choices.Never say never, sweetheart.”He shot her a teasing grin.
“You’resohilarious.”She crossed her legs and pretended like the dimples adorning the curves of his mouth weren’t personal weapons.“Thanks for the unsolicited life coaching, Dr.Suess.I’ll make sure I forget all of it.You need to get a new hobby.”
He grinned wider and chuckled.“Who says I don’t already have one?”
