Deadly Shadows by Jaycee Clark Page B

mouth.
    “What?”
    “I’d begun to wonder where you’d gone. The charmer threw me there for a while.”
    “Where I’d gone?”
    “The smart ass.”

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    “Normally I’m the charmer. You didn’t answer my question,” he said softly.
    “What question?”
    “Like what you see?”
    She only smiled at him. “Haven’t decided yet.”
    The woman had way of keeping him on his toes. It was a new experience. “You keep telling yourself that.”
    The crunch of gravel turned her attention to the drive that led into the estates from the highway.
    “Well, shit.”
    Her expletive made Aiden raise his brows. “Problem?”
    “Only if you consider lowlife bugs problems.”
    Aiden watched as the silver Lexus coupe pulled to a stop in front of her house.
    At least the police were attempting to do their jobs. He took a sip of his unsweetened coffee and wondered briefly if Barney--and she was right, the guy looked like Barney Fife--
    would arrest this new guy. And who the hell was this new guy?
    Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Jesslyn stiffen ever so slightly, the pull of her brows, the way her hands tightened around her coffee cup. Then she closed her eyes and clenched her jaw.
    “You okay?” he asked.
    She only shook her head, looking at him. “I’m fine.”
    The edge of her mouth was tight, her knuckles almost white. Shallow breaths.
    “Are you hurt?” he asked, starting to rise.
    On a deeper breath she shook her head. “I’m fine.”
    The voice of the new man and the policeman carried on the wind across the yard. After another second, he turned his attention from her to the two men.
    “I can’t let you see her,” the cop tried.
    “Who the hell are you? Her damn bodyguard?” The man was dressed in a rumpled suit and his blond hair stood in spikes as though he’d run his fingers through it.
    Appearance was important, Aiden had always believed it. First impressions had an adage for a reason. And on appearance alone, this man would not win any points.
    “It’s all right, Merrick. Let him say what he wants and then he can leave,” Jesslyn spoke beside him.
    The man stalked up the sidewalk and stopped at the bottom step. “Do you have any idea where I spent all damn night?” the man asked through his teeth.
    Jesslyn took a sip of coffee.
    Silence stretched.
    Was this an old lover? A pissed ex boyfriend? The man was definitely upset.
    “I’m shaking with anticipation,” she drawled, her twang more pronounced. “Please, don’t leave us in suspense. Though, I’ll warn you, if you came to gloat about your latest screw, I don’t care.” “You’re such a bitch, Jesslyn,” the guy said.
    Aiden shifted, the rocker creaked.
    “Another guard dog?” the guy asked, his lip curling derisively.
    “If you like.” Jesslyn didn’t move.
    “What I’d like is to know why in the hell you couldn’t bother to pick up a fucking phone

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    and call me last night.” He stepped up the first step.
    Her stare was dark and razor sharp. Aiden would bet lesser men backed down at that stare. The man stepped back down into the yard.
    Jesslyn uncurled out of the rocker and stood, the blanket falling off her shoulders.
    “Honestly?”
    “Are you anything else?” the man asked.
    “Aiden?” she asked.
    “Yeah?” He stood.
    “Would you excuse us please?”
    “What? Don’t want to introduce me?” the man asked.
    She shrugged. “Aiden Kinncaid, CEO of something important, meet Kirk the Jerk Roberts, the estimable president of one of the local banks.” She turned back to him and Aiden saw the anger and humor dance in her eyes. “Personally, I use the other bank just so I don’t have to deal with Kirk. I’d do the same if I were you.”
    “Why you….”
    “Now, Kirk,” she admonished, “don’t whine. It’s annoying.”
    A muscle bunched in Kirk’s jaw, a vein pounded in his forehead. Aiden eased a bit closer to Jesslyn who stepped to the edge of the porch.
    “I didn’t call you because I didn’t