Free Nobody's Angel by Patricia Rice Page A

she always fell for the depth of his eyes, as if he had some mesmerizing power. Refusing to succumb to any man, she stuck her chin up in defiance, waiting for his next cynical pronouncement.
    “Juan and Cesar must go back to … Encee.” A smile tugged at his lips as he used her version of the state's name. “But we could celebrate the occasion this evening. Would you have dinner with me?”
    Faith thought she might faint with shock. She dug her fingers into the metal stool seat and stared. He'd stood there and blatantly dismissed her selling abilities, behaved as if she were no more than a used car salesman unloading a clunker, and now he wanted to celebrate? There was something definitely odd about this, especially since he shouldn't have two cents with which to buy dinner.
    “You want to renegotiate the consignment contract?” she asked doubtfully. “The one we have is legal. You said so yourself.”
    Juan stuffed wads of bubble wrap and newspaper into the now-empty box and tidied the table while Cesar's head swiveled back and forth, trying to follow the undercurrents of the conversation. Juan shoved the box into the young man's hands. “It's time we go. I don't want Isabel alone after dark.”
    “Isabel would take an ax to any intruder's head,” Adrian threw after him as they headed out. “You're the one who would invite a thief for supper.”
    Juan gestured rudely as he opened the door. “Pardon my French, Ms. Hope, but my cousin grew too big for hisbritches long ago. He needs his mama to cut him back down to size.”
    Faith bit back a snicker and waved. “Let me know as soon as you have another consignment ready and I'll come get it. I have no wish for you to be parted from Isabel longer than necessary.”
    Juan grinned. “When she sees what I have earned on this trip, she will have me in the shop night and day. You have just bought our baby's nursery. She will want a college education next.”
    Feeling good again, Faith waved them off but remained firmly planted on her stool, with the counter between her and Adrian. Another customer wandered in, and she called a greeting, ignoring the dark man looming over her. She didn't trust him, or any man.
    “The shop closes at five. I will come by for you then,” he stated without question, straightening from his relaxed position against the glass.
    “I have to close out the register and deposit my receipts, and I promised to stop in and see Annie,” she argued. “We really have nothing else to say to each other.”
    With a lift of his eyebrows, Adrian produced a familiar ring of car keys from his pocket. “You might want to reconsider that. I'll make it five-thirty, then.”
    He strode out, taking her car keys with him.
    The minute Adrian walked in the door that evening, Faith looked for her keys, but he'd already stuffed them back in his pocket. She considered going after them, but just the thought as her gaze followed the lazy grace of his lean hips caused her mouth to seal shut.
    “I've already been to see Annie,” he announced without preamble as he approached the counter. “I took her new charges over to the battered women's shelter. The husband showed up today looking for them, and the woman was finally convinced they'd be safer elsewhere.”
    Faith closed her eyes to block out all thought of Adrian'sdangerously male prowl, but his voice still licked up and down her nerves. “Did Annie have to call the police?”
    “Joe was already over there. Feeding them doughnuts on a regular basis was a piece of genius. I gather that was your idea?”
    She shrugged and closed her record books before reaching under the counter for her purse and jacket. “It always helps to know your neighbors, but Annie is a little wary of policemen.”
    “I can understand that reaction.” Adrian reached over the counter and helped her with the jacket.
    Faith assumed her miniskirted suit and silk blouse were too dressy for any place he had in mind, but that was the least of her