She Who Dares, Wins

“I have to disagree. This, along with the accidents, makes me think we’re dealing with individuals or a small group who mean you harm. The threats are escalating, and that’s never good. You need to take these seriously. I have no doubt these people want you dead.”

4

MACON HAD LOST HIS MIND. It was as simple as that. This pint-size pixie told him someone wanted to kill him, and all he could think about was kissing her soft red lips. He’d had to sit down on the stool to keep her from seeing the hardness under his jeans, caused by the way she pursed her lips when she was thinking.

The woman was an enigma. One minute she was pure sex, the next a professional detective. He wasn’t sure which one he liked best. Everything about her was sexy. Though he didn’t think this was the right time to tell her so.

The emotions playing over her face when she’d realized what had happened the night before had been surprise, anger and then something he couldn’t identify. He had a feeling she used that look when she had criminals under interrogation.

He’d royally screwed up. Still, he wouldn’t change the night for anything. In fact, he’d do just about anything to make it happen again. Unfortunately, it would take a great deal of coaxing to get her to acquiesce. Katie had a tough side, and forgiving him would be difficult for her, which made him want to try all the more.

She’d listened to the recordings again, her face a mass of concentration. What was it about her that had him so tied up in knots?

The last thing he needed in his life was a complicated woman, and Katie was certainly that. He didn’t have time for someone nosing into his life, especially with curves that—No. He needed to get rid of this woman and get back to work. As soon as he thought the words, he knew there was no way they were true. He wanted her again, and he wasn’t ready to let her go just yet.

“You weren’t what I expected.” She glanced around his laboratory.

“What do you mean?” He was more than curious about that statement.

“To be honest, I expected the elderly professor type.”

“Sorry to disappoint you,” he said with a smile.

She didn’t return it. Yes, she was one tough woman.

“Tell me again why you and the dean are keeping Scotland Yard out of this? Seems to me that would be the first place to turn.”

Mac frowned. “We can’t risk it right now,” he said. “As I mentioned before, this is highly classified research. The cops would want to snoop into my work, and I’m at a crucial point right now. I can’t afford someone accidentally leaking information. The dean didn’t want to involve the police in order to protect the university’s reputation. He knew I wasn’t going to call anyone because of the nature of what I’m working on. You and your company were the dean’s idea.”

“I detect some sarcasm in there,” she said as she popped the flash drive into another evidence bag. “The dean may very well have saved your life. As I mentioned before, these threats are real, and they will continue to escalate. It’s important we find the culprits as quickly as possible before they can do any more harm.”

“So what is your plan?”

“First, I’ll send these off to the lab. We’ll have results in a few days. I could send them somewhere here, but my forensic lab at the agency is state-of-the-art and one of the best in the world. If there’s something to discover, they’ll find it.

“Until then, we follow up on leads here. I need a list of everyone who may have had access to your research now and in the past.”

“You don’t think it’s someone who would have worked in the lab, do you?”

She wrote something down on the notebook she carried. “Dr. Douglas, at this point everyone who has come in contact with you over the last year is a suspect.”

She couldn’t be serious. “There’s no way it’s someone here at the university.”

Peering up from her notebook, she gave him a wary look. “You’re too trusting. Until we solve this case, no one comes into your lab except necessary personnel. With security like this, there shouldn’t be much trouble while you work,” she continued. “Have you had incidents in the lab?”

He shook his head. Every time she glanced at him, he wanted to reach out and touch her. Her auburn hair hung straight and shiny to her chin, and she shoved parts of it behind her ears. It was her voice, deep and filled with sex, that made his groin tighten even more, and his lungs struggle for air. There was a slight overpronunciation of certain vowels. He found it fascinating.

She snapped her fingers in front of his face and he realized he’d probably been staring at her like a cat after a canary. “Can you focus a minute and answer my questions? I need information. Has someone tried to hurt you here in the lab?”

“No, and they are not incidents. Unlike the dean, I do not believe what happened to me is related in any way. I have a long history of unfortunate mishaps. I have a tendency to bury my mind in my work and I don’t take notice of the world around me. I am a complete cliché and fully admit to being an absentminded professor. And unfortunately, I’m often in the wrong place at the wrong time. I consider it a quirky trait. The dean finds it bothersome.”

She grinned slightly at that as her pink fingernail tapped a distracting beat on the steel table. “So you weren’t mugged a block from the university and run off the road twice in the last two weeks?”

Before he could answer she held up a hand. “And there were phone calls to the dean’s voice mail. Both making comments that promised physical harm should you continue your research.” She crossed her arms over her chest.

He guessed if one were to line up the events in such a way, it might look as if something was going on.

“Yes, those things did happen.” Macon cleared his throat.

“Why don’t you let me decide what’s the best course of action, then?” She turned away from him. “The car accidents took place near a summer home? Correct? And you were mugged where?”

“About a block from my flat.” The woman was determined. He’d give her that.

His eyes followed her as she circled the lab. She was one of those people who found it difficult to stand still for more than a few moments. He could tell by the way she constantly moved or fidgeted. She glanced out the window as if she was searching for something. Then she returned to where he sat.

She started to speak and was interrupted by a large gurgling sound. Her olive-skinned cheeks turned a delightful shade of pink.

Macon glanced at his watch. “Let me guess—you skipped breakfast.”

She bit her lip. “I was busy solving some problems with work this morning.”

That meant she hadn’t eaten in more than twelve hours. He’d gone longer when working in the lab, but he knew it wasn’t healthy. There was also this strange part of him that wanted to take care of her. The least he could do was give her a decent meal after what he’d put her through today.

“Why don’t we head to the café at the student center?” He had started to mention a restaurant, but worried it was too early in the day for it to be open.

“I’m fine.” Her tone was clipped and professional. She’d been embarrassed.

“Well, I could use a snack. I haven’t had anything this morning.” He shoved his laptop into a bag with a couple of notebooks. He’d been working on several equations when she’d arrived. “Perhaps I’ll be better able to answer your questions with a full stomach.”

“I guess if you’re hungry, a break is okay. Though I had hoped to jump right in with the investigation.”

Macon shrugged. “An hour for a meal can’t hurt,” he said. “And I’ll keep my promise to answer any questions you might have.”

Leading the way, he pushed in the code for the exit. Once they were through the two sets of doors, he pointed to another entry. “If you go through there, you’ll find your clothing. I’ll meet you out in the hallway in a few minutes.”

She walked away, but stopped as her hand touched the doorknob. “What do I do with the sweat suit?”

“There’s a hamper to your right when you walk in. The cleaning staff takes care of them for me.”

“Thanks.”

Even in the oversize sweats the woman oozed sex, and as she walked away he remembered his hands on her backside the night before.

Concentrate, Macon admonished. Only days ago your purpose was to get rid of her. Answer her questions, help her to see logic, so by this time tomorrow she’ll be gone.

There was one problem. Macon wasn’t sure he wanted their time to end quite so quickly. The woman in the next room was an interesting specimen and unfortunately he wanted to know everything about her.

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