Free Kansas Nights [Kansas Heat 2] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) by Jenny Penn Page A

know. There could be quite a mob, and you know how these ladies get. It could be—”
    “I think I will take the rest of the day.” Kathy gave in, not wanting to imagine whatever horrid fate Sarah Anne could envision for her. Still she hesitated before reaching for her purse. “Maybe you want to go get lunch before I leave?”
    “Danny’s bring it,” Sarah Anne assured her. “Probably coming to see if the rumors are true, too.”
    “Great.” The last thing Kathy needed was Sarah Anne’s lovesick cousin hanging all over her while she tried to fend off all the gossips. “You know, you could have warned me.”
    “Warned?” Sarah Anne blinked innocently. “You mean like he’ll be here in five minutes?”
    “Shit.” Snatching her purse up from its hiding place under the counter, she paused only long enough to give Sarah Anne a hard look. “I owe you.”
    “Yes,” Sarah Anne agreed instantly. “And you can pay me back by going and finding that man and living up to everybody’s wicked expectations.”
    Go find Jack and live it up? Kathy would have laughed if she hadn’t feared it would come out sounding hysterical. So she kept her response to a smile and escaped out the back door and to the little alleyway where the employees parked.
    Rushing home, she tried not to make any eye contact with anybody she passed on the street. It went against her grain to ignore people, but right then she felt somewhat like a hunted criminal. Locking herself away in her house, Kathy acted like one, making sure all the blinds were closed and the phone off. In the moment, it felt like the right thing to do, but an hour later, freshly bathed and calmed, Kathy started to feel a little foolish.
    It was just sex, after all. Not even consummation—not technically. Kathy expected that would change in the near future. She’d promised Jack seventy-two hours, and she wouldn’t back down from that pledge. Actually, given how good he was, Kathy was kind of worried he’d be the one to renege. She could already hear the excuses. He had his case to solve. Then once it was over he’d probably have to be debriefed or some shit, which would take him away, never to return.
    If she really wanted him, Kathy would have to make the most out of her next opportunity to take advantage of Jack. She assured herself there would be opportunity because she didn’t plan to back off in pursuit of the missing money. No doubt, Jack wouldn’t take her involvement well. He’d probably feel the need to show up again and personally put her in her place.
    Well, maybe Kathy would surprise him and be the one to put him in his place. Even as that thought formed, an idea took shape that brought a smile to Kathy’s lips.
     
    * * * *
     
    Collin stretched back in his seat and tilted his head so he could study Kathy Coben’s little house from a different angle. It didn’t look any better no matter how he tilted his head. In the harsh light of day, the old stone box looked bleak and depressing. Of course, it didn’t help any that Kathy had crunched her front step with Jack’s truck.
    That had been entertaining to watch, though most of the fun came from knowing Jack had finally met his match. With her Bugs Bunny-style ingenuity, only Kathy could be declared victor of round one. Given how Jack had flown out of the library that morning and then come begging Collin to keep Kathy “entertained,” Collin could only assume Kathy had won their second round.
    Losing twice to the same female in less than twenty-four hours had to burn, especially given that Jack had never been defeated by a woman before. The fact that she’d taken down the master made Collin kind of eager to meet Miss Kathy Coben and find out how well he fared against her so-called charms. He’d also like to know what the hell she was up to.
    Collin didn’t need Jack ordering him to stick to Kathy like white on rice. He’d already been planning to. Collin had meant what he’d said earlier. He’d come