Flirting with Disaster by Sherryl Woods Page B

section of funky studios and shops, but the transformation was far from complete. It was mostly dingy and run-down, with way too few streetlights for his comfort.
    By the time he finally got to the right address and rode the groaning elevator to the top floor, he was cursing a blue streak. Not that anyone could have heard him over the music blaring from the apartment beneath. It sounded as if a garage band on speed was rehearsing inside. No one would ever hear screams over that racket.
    He pounded on the apartment door for what seemed like an eternity before Maggie finally opened it.
    â€œWhy didn’t you ask who it was?” he demanded.
    â€œI did. Apparently you didn’t hear me,” she said, even now shouting to be heard over the din.
    â€œHow the hell does your friend stand that?”
    â€œIt just started,” she told him. “Ellie says they only rehearse on Sunday nights.”
    â€œLucky for her or she’d be deaf by now.” He knelt down and studied the door and the current lock. The door was solid enough. In fact, it felt like steel. Nobody would get through that, he concluded. Add the new lock, and she should be safe.
    â€œDo you want anything to drink?” Maggie asked.
    Josh finally met her gaze, which he’d been avoiding up till now. Hearing her voice earlier had cut into one very hot fantasy he’d been having about her. He’d been afraid seeing her in person would kick those hormones right back into gear. It did.
    â€œNothing,” he said gruffly. “Let me get to this.”
    â€œSure. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you coming over here like this.”
    â€œNot a problem. I wasn’t doing anything.” Except thinking about her sexy body, but that definitely didn’t bear mentioning.
    She gave him an odd look, as if she was trying to figure out what to make of his suddenly irritable mood, then went back into the apartment, leaving a trail of some seductive perfume to torment him.
    Installing the lock took less time than he’d hoped. He could have used an hour or two to get his equilibrium back. Instead, he was forced to go into the apartment.
    â€œOkay, ladies, you’re all set. The lock’s in, and combined with that door, you should be safe enough,” he said to the woman seated beside Maggie.
    â€œThank you,” she replied softly. “It was really nice of you to come over and do that for me.”
    â€œEllie, this is Josh Parker. He’s in charge of building that house I told you about.”
    â€œOf course,” Ellie said. “What a sweet thing to do!”
    Josh shrugged. “I don’t know about sweet. It’s a job.”
    Maggie grinned at him. “Don’t be modest. You know you did it to rack up points.”
    â€œReally? And just who do you think I was angling to rack up points with?”
    â€œCord,” she suggested. “Maybe Amanda.”
    Josh laughed. “Miss Maggie, you have me all wrong. I don’t need points with Cord and I’m not interested in Amanda.”
    She studied him curiously. “Then why did you agree to do it?”
    â€œJust in case I’m a little short on recommendations when I arrive at the pearly gates,” he claimed. He wondered if she’d buy that his admission wasn’t all that far from the truth.
    â€œI suppose your fate there all depends on who’s checking in the newcomers,” she retorted. “If it’s a female, you won’t have any problem at all sweet-talking your way inside.”
    â€œWell, just in case, I’m trying to accumulate a few good deeds. Speaking of which, where are these paintings you want me to move?”
    â€œI’ll show you,” Ellie offered.
    Maggie gave her a concerned look that Josh couldn’t quite interpret.
    â€œAre you sure?” she asked Ellie worriedly. “Want me to move the others out of the way first?”
    â€œWhich others?” Josh