Page 42 of Crash Course
Always. But something in his rushed tone gave her pause, sent her curiosity in all sorts of directions. "I have a minute. What’s up?"
"We’re working on your case."
Already? She’d just sent the paperwork back two hours earlier. "You got right to it."
"Truth is, we jumped on it first thing. We figured paperwork would get here today and wanted to get moving."
"I like the way you boys work."
"Yeah, well, it’s a puzzle and we like those. Are you still in Asheville?"
"I am. My trial was postponed until tomorrow."
"Got some stuff to show you. We could do a video call, but a meeting might be better."
A video call. What fun was that when she had a trial postponed and might not have any downtime for a few weeks? "I need a couple of hours, but I could come out and meet with you. Besides, I wanna see that Stutz."
"Huh. So, this is how you are? You’re weaseling a peek at my car."
Ohmygod, the man.Deadly charm. "Absolutely."
He laughed. "That works. Say five?"
"See you then."
At 5:00on the dot Cilla pulled through the gates at Chez Blackwell, a name she’d originally heard from Phin, kinda liked, and now found implanted in her brain.
She cruised the long, tree-lined driveway as the waning sun washed over the roof of the Friary and the mountain behind. This place?
Stunning.
Cilla wasn’t the religious sort, but at times like these she knew God existed. It gave her hope and with what she did for a living, that sometimes ran short.
Up ahead, one Cruz Blackwell and all his luscious muscles exited the Annex, apparently coming to meet her. She eased to a stop and did a quick, surreptitious check of her lipstick in the rearview. Minutes earlier, while stopped at a stop sign on the quiet mountain road, she’d slapped a fresh coat of her trademark red on and everything was still in order.
Outside, Cruz walked around the front of her car, his body moving with that confident purpose she’d witnessed in the professional athletes she’d represented. Certain people, without question, oozed it and Cruz was one of them.
He wore a loose white T-shirt that did nothing to hide rock solid shoulders and his jeans wrapped around his lean hips just right. Not too big, not too tight. And who knewthatoutfit could stir her up?
He opened her door, she slid one leg out, and smiled up at him. He dipped his head, did a visual sweep of her, paused at her high-heeled boots, then locked his gaze on her face. Studying. No.Appreciating. He had a way of looking at her, all heat and energy and . . .wantthat sent tingles shooting straight up her arms.
"Hey there," she said.
"Hey to you. Wow."
Before grabbing her purse from the passenger seat, she peered up at him. "Wow?"
"I’ve never seen you in jeans."
"Well, I ditched the lawyer clothes for the day."
"I see that. I like it." He jerked his chin to the building. "Guys are inside."
"I’m eager to hear what you have."
"Let’s head in. If we get done early, will you join me for dinner again?"
Exactly her thoughts and the main reason she’d gone casual for this meeting. How convenient. "I’d like that."
