Thieves Like Us by Starr Ambrose

preoccupied to think, torn between running into her house to find Jingles and obeying Rocky’s order to stay by his car. It went against her instincts to stand by passively and do what she was told. Still, after he’d told her about the necklace, she’d started to trust Rocky when it came to her own safety. It was a strange feeling, one she’d never had with anyone else, but she listened to it. Like it or not, this was his territory. He was an expert. Leaning on the car, she chewed a fingernail and watched her front door.
    When he appeared again she jerked upright. “It’s all right,” he called. “No one’s been inside and the cat’s fine.”
    That was all she needed to hear as she rushed past him to see for herself.
    Jingles was finishing a leisurely stretch, claws firmly embedded in the living room carpet, no doubt preparing to wrap himself around Rocky’s ankles. She looked around, reassuring herself that nothing had changed.
    “Everything’s fine upstairs, too.” Rocky ignored the cat and talked to her. “I don’t think anyone even touched the lock on the front door. Whatever they wanted, they only looked in the car.”
    It could be a coincidence—random robberies happened, especially to people dumb enough to leave an expensive car parked on the street instead of in the garage. She wouldn’t do that again. Still . . . “It must have something to do with the necklace, right?”
    “I agree. Which is why you can’t stay here.”
    She winced. “I wish you’d quit saying that. After Banner, I have this irrational need to resist when a man tells me what to do.”
    He nodded. “Understandable. However, I have this irrational need to make sure you’re safe. You can think of it as professional advice if it makes you feel better.”
    It might. “Is that what it is, professional advice?”
    “Hell, no. It’s personal.” It could have come out sounding irritated and angry, but he lowered his voice and held her eyes with his, and it was sexy as sin.
    She felt caught by the tension that was always there between them, the unspoken but ever-present knowledge that he wanted a relationship with her, vying with her fear of giving in to her emotions. The air itself felt strained, and she was glad when the silence was broken by slamming car doors outside. “Excuse me,” she mumbled, brushing by Rocky to open the door for the police officers.
    It was the second time today she’d had police officers at her door. The neighbors in her quiet development were going to have a lot to talk about.
    She spent the next hour talking with officers. They wanted Rocky’s version of events, too, so he stayed. By the time the officer was preparing to leave, the adrenaline high had worn off and Janet was exhausted. As soon as the last detective was out the door, she was going to make sure Rocky was right behind him.
    She had her hand on the doorknob as the officer paused on the threshold. “Miss Aims, do you have a friend you could stay with for a day or two?”
    She avoided looking at Rocky in case he was smirking. Putting on a polite smile, she answered, “Yes, I’ll be calling her as soon as you leave. Thanks for your concern.”
    “Good night, ma’am. Take care.” The door closed on his final word. She turned to find Rocky watching her with arms folded. No smirk, thank goodness.
    He waited several seconds before asking, “So what’s the real plan?”
    She shook her head and smiled, impressed that he’d known she was just telling the policeman what he wanted to hear. “I keep having this argument with you in my head, you telling me to go, and me insisting I want to stay.”
    “Who’s winning?”
    She sighed. “You are. I guess I have to pack a bag.”
    He was smart enough not to look triumphant. “Take your time, I’ll wait.”
    She couldn’t drive her own car, not in that condition, but she didn’t want him to get the wrong idea. “I’m not staying at your place.”
    “I’m not taking you there, nice as