Murphy's Law by Kat Attalla Page B

thing up. “That’s a mighty fine looking rear end you’ve got there. Mr. Levi must have designed those jeans with you in mind.”
    After a long, silent pause she raised her head. “If Mr. Levi saw what it took to get into these jeans he’d laugh his own rear end off.”
    “I don’t suppose it occurred to you to buy a bigger size?”
    “You bought them, genius,” she reminded him.
    “Oh, right.” He sat on the edge of the bed and ran his hand over her bottom. “And a good job I did at that. It fits you like a chastity belt.”
    She rolled onto her back and groaned. “You’re an insensitive louse.”
    “And damn proud of it.” He stretched out on the bed next to her and brushed the last remaining tear from her face. “Do you want to tell me what this was all about?”
    “I want to call my family, Jack.”
    He wished he could grant her that small favor. “No. It’s too dangerous.” All the hope mirrored in her china blue eyes faded in a blink, making him feel like a heel.
    “What if they think I’m dead?”
    “I know it seems cruel, but it’s better for the time being to let them think that you are. Do you want Santana to use them to get to you? He will.”
    “Oh, God no.” Mumbled words mixed with whimpering cries. He touched her arm, and she turned into him, clutching desperately at the fabric of his pullover.
    She needed reassurances, but lending moral support had never been his strongest suit. He specialized in scaring the life out of an active participant until the suspect begged to turn state’s evidence in return for freedom. Lilly wasn’t a fugitive. She’d committed no crime, so he could only manipulate her emotionally. He didn’t take great pride in frightening a young woman into obedience.
    “Nothing is going to happen to your family.” He rolled his eyes. That’s certainly profound. After all the deceit, he could hardly expect her to find comfort in his words. And yet, slowly, he felt her grip relaxing. The stiffness in her limbs seemed to melt away.
    Lilly snuggled closer, sliding one leg in between his. She inched closer, pressing against him. Chest to chest, hips to hips, thighs touching thighs. Her fearful trembles changed perceptively to excited tremors.
    Damn, he wanted her. He consciously slowed his breathing to keep control of the situation. To react would be taking advantage of her high-strung, emotional state.
    “This isn’t a good idea, Lilly.”
    “What?” She lifted her head and shook it. Her confusion gave way to hurt, and she moved away from him.
    “Lilly.”
    She jumped off the bed and walked to the window. “I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.”
    “I only meant that it wasn’t wise to get involved at this time. It’s too….”
      “Dangerous. I know. That’s become your standard line. You can’t do this. You can’t do that. It’s too dangerous. Maybe you’d like me to stop breathing too. It might be too dangerous.”

     
    * * * *

     
    Jack stood up and crossed the room. “I guess that was a poor excuse. I didn’t think you knew what you were doing.”
    Lilly twisted her hands together and let out a heavy sigh. “Well, join the club, Mr. Murphy. My father didn’t think I knew what I was doing with my life. My boss didn’t think I knew what I was doing with my job. And you don’t think I know what I’m doing with my body. I must seem like a half-wit to the male population.”
    “I wasn’t speaking in general. Only in this instance. You weren’t thinking clearly.”
    “Don’t you ever do anything without thinking first and calculating the risk?”
    “No.”
    “I didn’t think so.” Somehow, that didn’t surprise her. He had just given her another reminder that she was a job to him.
    “Can you honestly say you knew what you were doing?” “
    “I thought I did, but I guess I was wrong.”
    The corner of him mouth turned up in a lazy half-smile, either suggestive or innocent. With Jack, she wasn’t sure. He gave nothing away