Free The Shadow of Mudflap (A Foxtrot Team Novel #1) by Christi Snow, M.F. Smith Page A

to him. It was an order, so she had to ignore the rolling in her stomach and the voice in her head screaming at her that she should avoid this guy if she wanted to keep her heart. She forced a smile. “That sounds fun, but you have to pay for all the balls I lose.”
    “Darlin’, I’ll provide you with all the balls you need.”
     
    * * *
     
    Shanae opened her front door Friday afternoon and her breath caught at her first sight of Mudflap standing there in board shorts and golf shirt. It shouldn’t be anything that turned her on, but he had an aura about him that got her motor running, big time. From his tanned and heavily-veined forearms, to the hint of chest hair peeking out at top of the buttons of his shirt, to his muscular calves, this guy pushed all her buttons in the most delicious way. She’d never in her life had such an immediate visceral reaction to a guy. That was dangerous. She couldn’t let him affect her. He needed to stay firmly in her head as a target for work and only that. Ignore his charm and their chemistry.
    His slow easy smile told her that he didn’t mind the way she looked, either. His gaze examined her from head to toe and he seemed pleased. She wore a fitted yellow polo top with a purple and yellow plaid kilt skirt, long enough to cover the throwing knives she had sheathed on the outside of her thighs, but not so long that it hid her toned thighs. She’d paired the outfit with white boat shoes for comfort to walk the long golf course.
    “Hey, there. You look good enough to eat,” he growled. He glanced back at his Bronco. “Unfortunately, Derek is waiting for us in the car so I can’t take a nibble.”
    Her pulse skittered. That tone in his voice…yummy.
    “Thanks,” she said as she leaned up to give him a quick kiss on the cheek. “You know how to make a girl feel good.” She lingered for a moment right below his ear to whisper, “You look pretty damn good yourself. But it’s hot and we don’t want the poor thing to suffer from heat exhaustion. I’m confused though.” She glanced at him as they walked out toward his truck. “Why would you bring your dog golfing? Are they even allowed on the course?”
    He pulled her door open for her, but stalled her entrance into the Bronco. “Dog? I don’t have a dog.”
    She scowled at him in confusion. “Isn’t Derek your dog?”
    Mudflap burst out laughing as she sat down in the car. But it was the outraged, “What the hell did he tell you to make you think that?” coming from the backseat that told her she’d gotten something wrong.
    She turned slowly to the backseat. He was a young, clean cut, extremely good-looking guy, who was not happy right now. He looked like a model from a young, hip magazine ad; well, he would if he wasn’t scowling.
    Wincing, she offered her hand to him. “I guess you’re Derek, huh?”
    Mudflap got into the car and continued to laugh at Derek’s expense. Derek shoved at his shoulder and muttered, “Asshole.” He took her hand. “Yes, I’m Derek. It’s nice to meet you, Shanae.” His scowl quickly morphed into a flirty smile. “Already I can tell you’re too good for this guy. I say we dump him on the back nine and you and I can make a fun day of it without him.” He waggled his eyebrows at her.
    Uh oh, this guy and that mischievous smile were trouble. She couldn’t help the giggle that erupted. “Sorry about the dog comment. I misunderstood.”
    “Aw, sweetheart, no forgiveness is necessary. I know who to blame.” He turned to glare again at Mudflap. “Besides, gracing us with your beauty today more than makes up for it.”
    Shanae couldn’t help the eye-roll. This guy was digging it deep.
    “Hey, now. No horning in on my girl.” Mudflap frowned at Derek, but the corners of his mouth twitched with humor.
    The two guys continued the back and forth banter all the way to the golf course, through renting their equipment, and even while meeting up with their golf pro for the day, a