Free Take a Risk (Risk #1) by Scarlett Finn Page B

reveal any of myself, but I can do both with you. More than that, I want to be honest with you. You know about my work here and my book, and you’re helping me to find my stalker. Right now, you know more about me than my best friend does.’
    ‘Except we’re not friends,’ he said, taking her hand from his abs and putting it on her bare knee.
    ‘Why does he feel it necessary to put up these walls?’ she asked.
    ‘Why does she feel it necessary to unpick my agenda?’
    ‘Oh,’ she said, straightening a little, ready to tease now that she had the sense he was riled. ‘Agenda, that’s an interesting choice of language. Haven’t you been taught to watch your word choice around us head doctors… What is your agenda, Mr Warner?’
    ‘To uncover the identity of your stalker, do my job, and get my money.’
    ‘Ok,’ she nodded, folding her hands in her lap. ‘Is money important to you?’
    ‘It’s what makes the world go round, right?’
    ‘That and sex,’ she said. ‘So if you’re getting cash from me, who is giving you sex?’
    ‘You think that sex is a necessity?’
    ‘No. But you spend your time surrounded by attractive women and I doubt you’re short of offers. So if you’re not taking advantage of what’s available there has to be a reason for that. Bad break up?’
    ‘You always have to know the answers?’
    ‘It’s in my nature to want to help,’ she said, easing closer again. ‘By getting defensive you’re setting me up to be your enemy. Do you see me as a threat?’
    ‘I think I could take you in a fight, you’re no threat,’ he said. Snatching his soda can, he left the couch and crossed to prop himself on the front edge of his desk to drink.
    ‘Do you think of all threats as combative?’
    ‘They are the most prominent ones and they’re often the most difficult to protect ourselves from. You must understand that, given your current predicament.’
    ‘Have you ever had difficulty with sexual climax?’
    ‘Man, you never switch off. There’s nothing wrong with me. I don’t need you to diagnose me.’
    Kneeling in the centre cushion of the couch, she linked her fingers, and after a few seconds of silence, he came back to sit on the couch beside her.
    ‘If he’s leaving flowers then at least we know he’s still around,’ Colt said, trying to return to the subject at hand, or rather the safer subject up for discussion while they were alone
    ‘That’s a good thing?’
    ‘Yes, if he’s around I can find him and get on with compiling the evidence you need to end this and get on with your life.’
    ‘Then your job will be done and you can move onto the next one.’
    ‘Something like that,’ he said.
    ‘Have you seen Ruger since he’s been back in town?’ she asked to which he frowned. ‘Blaser told me he was back.’
    ‘I spoke to him last night and today while you were at dinner. Who was the shirt with Suzette and Pete? Hot date?’
    ‘Is that what’s got your nose out of joint? He’s Pete’s best man, Keith.’
    ‘My nose isn’t out of joint,’ he protested.
    ‘So how come you never came in here to see me earlier tonight, huh?’
    ‘I was outside looking for unfamiliar faces. If I’d known that something had happened last night, or you had something to report, I’d have come in.’
    ‘You told me not to call you.’
    ‘Don’t call me to soothe your female insecurities, but you should keep me privy to updates about the case.’
    ‘I’ll note that for the future. But what would you have done?’
    ‘Come over,’ he said.
    ‘Why? To soothe my female insecurities? Are you the type of man to take advantage of a woman at a vulnerable moment? Because last night I probably would have let you.’
    While surprise crossed his face, his gaze darkened. ‘Would you?’
    ‘A strong, attractive man like yourself,’ she said, leaning in to lean her bust on his bicep. ‘I’ve already told you how my primitive brain has sized you up. You have a toned muscular