Free Bad Boy of New Orleans by Mallory Rush Page B

faces were close, and their breasts pressed evenly against each other. Hearts
     beat quickly, heavily in countertime.
    "What happened?"
    "I took a powder."
    "You mean you left?"
    "Caught a flight to the Middle East and dropped out of sight. But not before I took
     an advance on the job and put an anonymous call through to the authorities on the
     case. The man was a jerk, and an unethical jerk at that. Made me look like a choirboy.
     In fact, he probably had a lot to do with reforming that streak of hellion in me.
     By the time I was drilling oil with the Saudis, I'd had my fill of illegal ventures.
     Knowing how close I'd come to spending time behind bars managed to knock some sense
     into me. Not only that, but I learned it gave me a sick feeling to steal from other
     people—no matter how white the paper was that handled the nasty transaction."
    Micah laid her free hand over his shoulder, feeling the solidness of him. People had
     said so many evil things about Chance through the years that his story wasn't what
     she'd expected.
    "And what about the Saudis? What was your life like there?" Although she'd learned
     a lot about him over the past minutes, she didn't really find out what she wanted
     to know. He had revealed nothing about his personal life.
    "The Saudis, young lady, are yet another chapter in the Mysterious Adventures of Chance Renault." He smiled suddenly and tweaked her nose. "Save your breath, Micah. You're only allotted
     one chapter per interrogation."
    She took a deep breath. "But I still have a question about Switzerland."
    Chance's smile faded. He ran his knuckles against the ridge of her jaw.
    "No, Micah. There wasn't anyone special there, if that's what you're asking." His
     gaze flicked over her, lingering on her hair. He tucked a curl behind her ear. "Besides,
     there weren't many around with dark hair and green eyes."
    A flush of pleasure swept through her at the implied compliment, but Chance suddenly
     moved away. Picking up the next sheet of wallpaper, he handed it to her.
    "Let's get crackin'. At this rate we'll be hanging paper next month. And my stomach's
     already growling for that dinner you promised me tomorrow night."
    "But, Chance, what did you—"
    "I'll make some more paste in the kitchen. Try not to let it overlap while I'm gone."
    "But, Chance—"
    "Be careful to match the pattern. And don't forget to enjoy this—"
    "But—"
    "Because next week you learn to cut tile."
    * * *
    Micah opened the door leading out back, cursing profusely at the fumes invading the
     kitchen. Cooking was never her specialty and in her excitement she had managed to
     do even worse than usual—namely, forgetting to take the stuffed Cornish hens out of
     the oven. Even now billows of smoke rose to the high ceiling while the charred hens
     lay in state beside the sink.
    "Damn, damn, damn!" So much for impressing Chance. And worst of all she'd broken down and decided to
     turn on the air conditioner only to have the air go out the back—
    "What the hell.. where's the fire?"
    Micah whirled around, the wet towel she was flapping furiously, clutched in her hands.
    "What are you doing here? You're not due for"—she took a glance at the kitchen clock—"five
     minutes." She motioned toward the back door he'd come through. "And you're supposed
     to use the front door. Now go sit out there while I tend to this. There is no fire,
     just a little smoke."
    "A little smoke? You could pass out from the fumes in here." Chance strode over to the offending
     oven and closed its door, muttering something about grease and broilers not mixing.
     "And another thing," he threw over his shoulder, "if you want me to use the front
     door, you've got to answer it." He whirled back around and faced her.
    For a minute they shared a belligerent stare. Micah wasn't sure who cracked the first
     smile, but soon they were both chuckling. She pointed to the back door.
    "Now, would you please pretend you were never here and go back the way