Cat 'N Mouse by Yvonne Harriott

claim you can catch this person then do your job so I can get back to my life. I’m sure you’ll be well compensated.”
    They arrived at the condo in Orlando in silence. He parked in the visitors parking at the front of the building. She should let him park in her parking spot in the underground garage, but she wasn’t ready to be civil to him yet. Sam grabbed a duffle bag from the back seat, which meant he was moving in. He kept her close to his side as the exited the vehicle.
    “Hello, Ms. Prescott,” Edward Cain said, as an eager smile lit up his dark, round face as he held the door for them. “I haven’t seen you in a couple of days.” He looked down at Sam’s duffle bag, then at Alexandria.
    “I was—”
    “We wanted to spend some time together away from prying eyes,” Sam said, putting his arm protectively around her.
    The innocent contact sent heat through her body. His arm burned through her blouse as he gently massaged her waist, pulling her closer to him. Although his action was just for show, she was not prepared for her reaction to his touch.
    She tore her gaze away from Sam and her eyes fell on Edward. The smile had disappeared from his face. He was always such a sweet man to her…helping with her groceries and sometimes even delivering her morning paper.
    “Was that necessary?” Alexandria asked as she stepped into the elevator. When the doors closed, she moved out of his arms.
    “I wanted to get a reaction from him. Did you see the way he looked at me when I staked my claim? What floor? We need to run a check on anyone that you’re in contact with. It could be someone holding a grudge.”
    “You’re going to waste your time running checks. Edward Cain is the doorman for crying out loud.” She pushed the button for the 11 th floor. “I don’t think paranoia is part of your job description.”
    “No one is ever what they seem. People always have an angle.”
    “I can see that.” Alexandria was still reeling from his touch and was a little agitated. Her reacting to him was confusing to her. The confined space in the elevator was not helping and she did the only thing she could when she felt trapped—fight back. “That little show you put on in the lobby was unnecessary. Or was it a show?”
    “You think I’m making a play for you?” He half laughed. “That’s the second time you’ve brought that up. Don’t flatter yourself. If you want your life back then this is where I need to be—nothing else. I call the shots. Deal with it, Princess.”
    The elevator door opened and she stalked out ahead of him. She had to get away from him or she would strangle him. It was that simple. By the time she got to the door of her condo, he was standing right beside her. He snatched the keys out of her hand and opened the door.
    Sam put his hand across the door to prevent her from entering the suite.
    “Wait here.”
    He stepped in front of her. She waited while he went in and did what he had to do, whatever that was. The wait had her fuming in the hallway. When he told her it was clear, she pushed passed him into the living room, headed straight for her bedroom and slammed the door.
    People always had an ulterior motive and even though Sam claimed he didn’t, she was sure he did. Twenty-seven years of experience had taught her that. She yanked her silk robe from behind the door, tearing off the hook affixed to the door removing a strip of the paint.
    “Great,” Alexandria mumbled as she headed to the shower in the ensuite washroom.
    She should be happy that he had no designs on her, but the truth was, it annoyed and infuriated her because he kept saying it. She’d never met anyone that she had such a strong dislike for. Yet, she was attracted to him at the same time. Didn’t someone say the opposite of hate is love?
    Love? The only thing she saw when she looked at him was red. Then Mimi’s voiced filled her head.
    “Ever had your toes curled, Sweet Pea?”
    •  •  •
    “Why are you