Dirty Angel-BarbaraElsborg by Barbara Elsborg

confused and disorientated. The least I can do is drive him home.”
    “Fine.”
    Not that I need your permission.
    Brody went back to Aden who held out the flask.
    “Thanks,” Aden said.
    “Like something to eat?” Brody heard himself ask.
    “That would be good. Steak and chips?”
    Brody raised his eyebrows. “Eggs and bacon.”
    He gave a heavy sigh. “Suppose I can make do.”
    Des harrumphed as Brody led Aden out of the barn.
    “Are you okay?” Brody asked. “I didn’t imagine you sliding up the windscreen and over the roof of my car?”
    “Yeah, I’m fine. No, you didn’t imagine it. I’m sorry about disappearing on you, but I asked you not to call the police.”
    A light bulb pinged in Brody’s head. “Were they already looking for you?”
    “Not that I know of. It’s just that they’d have asked questions I wasn’t prepared to answer.”
    “Such as?” Brody turned the corner and led the way to his cottage.
    “My name. Where I live. What I do.”
    He glanced at Aden, anxiety twisting his gut. “They don’t sound like the sort of questions you’d have a problem answering if the police weren’t looking for you.”
    “I have to stay under the radar for a month. It’s a…sort of contest. I’m not allowed access to my money. Nor my home. No phone. No contacting friends. I have to survive on my wits, and obviously on my horse-whispering skills.”
    Brody frowned. “A contest?”
    “Well, more of a challenge.”
    Brody wasn’t sure he bought that. “How can you take a month off work?”
    “I’m between jobs. This has been organized by the company I’d like to work for. It’s a recruitment exercise.”
    That made sense, but… “In the middle of winter?”
    “Yeah.”
    “You didn’t think to wear something more practical? A waterproof jacket? Sturdy boots?”
    “Had to be done in the clothes I was wearing once I received the instruction. I can’t say any more about it. Classified.”
    Was that a hint this was something to do with the secret service? Or an excuse he thought Brody might accept? Brody wanted to believe him, but…
    “Where’s the blood come from?” Brody pushed down on the handle of his door.
    “You don’t lock your door? Damn. Did I spent last night with a horse when I could have climbed into bed with you?”
    Brody chuckled. That sort of answered one question though Aden had ignored the other.
    “This is a nice place.” Aden didn’t move from just inside the door. “Maybe breakfast isn’t a good idea.”
    Brody turned. “Why not?” Didn’t Aden feel it too? There was something between them. It wasn’t Brody’s imagination.
    “I’m going to make a mess. I’m covered in mud and my coat’s dripping.”
    Take your clothes off then. Fortunately that wasn’t what came out of his mouth. Then again, maybe it should have.
    “Take your boots off. There’s underfloor heating. I can hang your coat in the utility room near the boiler.”
    Aden stayed by the door and although he’d removed his boots, he’d made no move to take off his coat.
    “Would you like a shower? I can find you something to wear. Maybe stick your stuff in the washing machine.”
    “Really? You’d do that for me?” Aden’s eyes widened and Brody fell a little further into lust. Dark blue eyes, the longest, darkest eyelashes he’d ever seen on a guy, and sharp cheekbones. But it wasn’t just his looks that attracted, there was something about him that had Brody intrigued, something he wasn’t getting.
    “Why not?” Brody asked.
    “Inviting a stranger into your home, allowing him to take a shower, offering to wash his clothes, feed him? How many people would do that?”
    “You’re not a complete stranger.” Plus he was the best looking guy Brody had seen for a long time, the first guy since Peter who really interested him.
    Aden shrugged. “That’s true, but even so…”
    “Wouldn’t you do the same?”
    “No.”
    “I ran you over. I think it’s the least I can