Free Portrait of a Dead Guy by Larissa Reinhart Page B

glanced at Luke. “Sorry. I guess you know Ronny pretty well because of your dad owning the dealership. He’s not real popular in the auto-bay.”
    “Stepdad.” Luke shrugged. “Whatever.”
    “I need to get home. Can you drive me back to Halo now?” I nudged Todd. “I have a ruined canvas to replace. I don’t even have a deposit to pay myself back for the supplies.”
    The men pushed out of their seats and wandered to the door. The night was clear and cool, reminding me of the late hour. I hadn’t touched the memory box collection and I was back to square one with the painting. It was going to be a long night.
    “Dude, is that your truck?” Cody pointed to the Ford Raptor gleaming under the parking lot light.
    Luke tossed him the keys. “Go ahead and give it a spin. But if you’re not back in five, I’ll call the sheriff.”
    “Come on, Todd. Let’s see what she can do.” Cody trotted to the truck. Todd followed, glancing over his shoulder.
    “Don’t worry about me. Not like I’m in a hurry or it’s the middle of the night,” I said, leaning against Todd’s little, red hatchback. There was no deterring my brother from checking out any kind of vehicle. I’d have better luck teaching a cat to swim.
    Luke stopped before me, pushed a dusky brown curl off his forehead, and stretched into a yawn.
    My eyes skimmed over the muscles in the upraised arms, down the firm chest, and found a spot of exposed flesh between his jeans and raised t-shirt. Darting a glance back to his face, I realized he caught me looking.
    He lowered his arms and smoothed his t-shirt over his jeans.
    “So what did the sheriff say about the breakin?” Luke asked. “Does he have any suspects?”
    “Uh.” The parking lot light buzzed and dimmed overhead, darkening Luke’s eyes, reminding me of flint. Shadows filled his dimples and carved his cheekbones. He’d make a good pen and ink study tonight. A nude life study would be nice.
    I shook myself awake. “What?”
    He maneuvered into my personal space again, placing a hand on the car roof. “What did the sheriff say?”
    Oh man, I thought. Luke Harper needs to stop draping his body around me. Resisting temptation was not this girl’s forte.
    “Uncle Will wasn’t happy with me. Doesn’t want me to keep painting, either.” I blew out a sigh, thinking about the commission. “But I’m going to do it anyway. I’ll use the photo I took. I need the money and the recommendation if your mom and JB like it.”
    “JB’s not going to be too happy with you, that’s for sure.” Luke’s free hand slipped behind my head to search for the bump. “How’s your head?” His fingers caressed my skull.
    I closed my eyes and thought about pushing him away. At my moan, the nimble fingers crept to massage the muscles at the back of my neck.
    “Um, it’s okay.” I took a deep breath, and the fingers kneaded my shoulders. My knees buckled, and I slid a few inches down the door. Luke’s knee against my thigh stopped my decline. “Oh, that feels so good.” I hoped I wasn’t drooling.
    “So when the sheriff questioned you about what happened, did he offer some opinions on the perp?” Both hands massaged my shoulders now. I gripped the handle with one hand. The other hand seemed to have slipped to Luke’s waist without permission.
    Oh Lordy. No love handles on this guy. He was all smooth muscle. I struggled to think of an answer to his question.
    “He thinks I forgot to lock the back door behind me. Could be anyone.” My hand slid to his back and pressed him closer. The other clutched the door handle like a life preserver.
    “You’d tell me if you learn anything else, right?”
    “I guess so,” I sighed.
    Luke’s hands skated from my shoulders to my face.
    “You always liked being in the middle of things,” he said. A finger stroked my cheek.
    “What kind of middle you talking about?” I breathed, lifting my face. A truck roared into the parking lot, brakes squealing as Cody