Groomed for Murder (Going to the Dogs) by Zoe Dawson

defenses finally shifted more firmly back into place. He might wear his clothes with an elegant nonchalance, but there was that raw edge to him that was far more wild wolf than domesticated canine.
    “Yes, Callie’s pleased with the choices and the arrangements,” she said coolly.
    She could see his sister didn’t miss the crispness in her tone. “This is my sister, Emma.”
    “Hello, how do you know my brother?”
    “He’s the primary on a case where a pet owner is suing me for everything I have.”
    Emma turned to look at her brother, shock in her eyes. “Is that true?”
    “Yes,” he said giving Brooke a surreptitious glare that was more surprise than anger. She was glad she’d caught him flat-footed.
    Brooke shrugged and waved goodbye.
    She’d only gone a few steps when he caught up with her. “My sister is very upset for you. She wants to know why I would do such a thing.” The wind carried his tantalizing scent to her and she almost choked trying to resist savoring it with a deep, guilty breath.
    “And what did you tell her?”
    “It was business.”
    Brooke stopped and turned to look at him. “It may be just business to you, Mr. Hudson, but it’s everything to me. I’m sure you understand what it’s like to work hard.”
    He nodded. “I do.”
    “So don’t soothe your conscience—if you have one— by thinking of this lawsuit in such simplistic terms.”
    His brows rose at her putdown. “Yeah, my sister didn’t accept that, either. So why don’t we discuss how this could work better for both of us rather than engaging in a court battle?”
    “You are a smooth, charming devil. There isn’t going to be a court battle.” She detoured into a Starbuck’s and got into line. He was still behind her, and she sighed. “You really are persistent.”
    “When I think you could make a better decision, yes.” He cocked his head, and now there was interest in those bright eyes.
    He was standing far too close—at least, that was the excuse she used for taking a slight step forward. “You’re wasting your time.”
    He did allow the escape, minor though it was. A small step later, and he was even closer to her than before. “You do know that, right?” she said, desperate to deflect his intent, probing presence. She turned to look at him and got caught in the green depth of his eyes.
    “Ma’am?” The world barely penetrated Brooke’s haze.
    He indicated something in front of her with that sexy chin. “Order,” he said softly.
    She whipped around to find the cashier looking at her quizzically. She ordered her mocha, trying desperately to shake herself free from the man’s spell. When he turned it on, the heat was so intense it scorched her clear down to her toes.
    She left without looking at anyone. Her cheeks were probably bright pink.
    Again he caught up with her. She was sure he was used to having this effect on women. She kept her gaze carefully averted while she once again scrambled to shore up her defenses. “Are you stalking me?”
    “We’re both headed in the same direction. The subway.”
    She steeled herself and made an attempt at a casual glance in his direction, though it cost her. His gaze was still connected to her like a tracking beam on a heat-seeking device. She looked down and murmured, “How convenient.”
    He stopped her with a hand to her arm. His fingers were warm through her jacket. “Brooke. I can call you Brooke?”
    “You already have been calling me Brooke.” Pit bulls could take lessons from him.
    “Good, then that makes it friendlier.”
    “We’re not friends, Mr. Hudson. We aren’t seeing eye-to-eye on this lawsuit, and it will continue to be that way. I will not settle out of court.”
    His lips might have twitched the tiniest bit at that. At least he didn’t mind moxie, which was a good thing, because the longer he dragged this out, the spunkier she felt.
    “My sister said you’d be stubborn. She said you looked like a fighter.”
    “I’m not