Free Cop's Passion by Angela Verdenius Page B

it.”
    Answering anger
flared through her eyes. “Don’t tell me what to do.”
    “I’m trying to
help you.”
    “Well don’t.
I’m sick of people telling me what to do for my own benefit.”
Stepping back, she made to slam the door.
    Not willing to
give in, Mike held it open by simply placing one hand against it.
“I’m telling you for your own safety.”
    Flinging one
hand in the air, Maddy snapped, “It’s not like anyone is going to
attack me!”
    “That’s a
stupid thing to say. You see ladies getting hurt on the news every
day.” Mike’s scowl faded to a frown as he studied her expression
closely. “Are you all right, Maddy?”
    “Of course I
am. I’m about the most all right person in this damn city. No man
is going to jump a hefty girl like me when there are so many more
attractive women out there.” Her scowl was ferocious. “Thanks for
the concern, but I’m fine.” Again she made to shut the door and
again he prevented it.
    Now he could
see the faint flicker of something in her eyes. Amongst that anger
was something else bothering his neighbour. “What’s wrong?”
    “Oh for-!”
Jamming a hand on her ample hip, Maddy leaned forward and narrowed
her eyes. “Go home, Mike. I’m in no mood for everyone to be on my
back.”
    He didn’t
retreat in the face of her anger. Instead, his curiosity piqued.
Normally he was a man who minded his business, but with Maddy…yep,
he was curious. “I’m not on your back. I’m concerned for your
safety. And you’re obviously upset about something-”
    “Don’t fret,
I’m fine. I’ve always been fine.” Fire sparked in those big grey
eyes and brought colour to her round cheeks. “I’m a big girl in
more ways than one.”
    “Sure you’re a
big girl, but-“He stopped when fury made her lush lips tighten. Now
what had he said wrong?
    “Take a hike,”
she growled. “Take a running jump off a short pier. Get lost !” The door slammed shut, this time narrowly missing his
fingers.
    Puzzled, Mike
stared at the door. What the hell had he said wrong? Shaking his
head, he frowned. Who the hell could ever understand the ladies?
And this one in particular. She had a temper that flared, a
sarcastic tongue that could cut like a knife, and by God, he
certainly didn’t deserve to be on the receiving end of it!
    Grabbing the
door handle, he was only more angered by the fact that the damned
door wasn’t locked. Shoving it open, he strode into the house.
“Maddy!”
    “Now what?” She
glared around the corner of the lounge room wall. “And what the
hell are you doing in my house?”
    “I wouldn’t be
in your damned house if you considered your own safety,” he
retorted, walking right up to her and forcing her retreat into the
lounge.
    Dimly he was
aware of being watching wide-eyed from an armchair by the Siamese
cat frozen in the position of washing his paw. Most cats would have
fled at the sound of angry voices and the sight of a stranger, but
this one sat there staring, obviously not intending to miss the
action.
    Somehow he
wasn’t surprised, after all, it belonged to a fiery-tempered
owner.
    Coming to a
stop in the middle of the lounge room, Maddy placed her hands on
her generous hips and glared up at him. “I do consider my own
safety.”
    “You need to
learn to lock your security screen door.” Mike stopped directly in
front of her.
    “I normally
do.”
    “And you need
to get a mobile phone for your own safety.”
    “I told you I
would.”
    “You lied.”
    She flung one
hand outwards. “So? So what? I don’t know why you even care!”
    “Because I’m a
cop and I’m also your neighbour.” Reining in his anger, he took a
deep breath and spoke more calmly. “I’m telling you this for your
own good.”
    “Oh, wonderful!
Someone else who thinks they can tell me what to do for my own
good !”
    Boy, she was
sure wound up, and boy again, it sure made her eyes sparkle
beautifully. However, now was not the time to admire