Page 41 of Lawton

"It wouldn’t have to be like that," she said. "You know, my dad really likes you."

Her dad owned a worldwide distribution company. He had the exclusive rights to some of my merchandize. I knew the sales figures. No doubt, hedidlike me. But that didn't mean he wanted me fucking his only daughter.

I glanced out the side window. I caught movement. This time, itwasn'ta squirrel. I stood. It was the dog, Chucky, straining against his leash. I couldn't see Chloe, but I knew she was there. Shehadto be there somewhere – probably standing on the sidewalk, past that cluster of tall hedges.

"I've gotta go," I said.

"But wait," Amber said. "You haven't heard my idea. It's about a party."

I was heading for the door. "I'm sure it's great."

Her voice brightened. "Really?"

"Yeah. Go for it." I reached the front door and pushed it open. "Now, I've gotta run, alright?"

A minute later, I was out front, leaning my back against the tall iron fence. I reached into the pocket of my jeans and pulled out the packet of doggie-treats.

I crinkled the package. And waited.

Chapter 20

From somewhere beyond my line-of-sight, I heard Chloe's laughter. "Chucky, you spaz!"

A moment later, the dog barreled around the corner of the fence, yapping and straining against his leash. The way it looked, he was heading straight for me.

I grinned down at him. Good dog.

A split second later, Chloe rounded the same corner, stumbling forward as Chucky dragged her toward me like a dog on a mission. She was still laughing. It was a happy sound that carried sweet and clear over the skittering of the fall leaves.

At the sight and sound of her, I caught my breath. She wore dark jeans and a pale yellow shirt. The shirt clung to her curves and shifted with her movements. Her eyes were bright, and her smile was contagious.

I wanted her. And not just sexually.

But by now, I'd figured something out. She was careful. I got that. So today, I wouldn’t be Lawton Rastor, the train-wreck she'd been avoiding. I'd be just the neighbor guy, a regular Joe, soaking up the final days of Indian summer.

That's what regular guys did, right?

I gave her a friendly smile, working hard to keep it casual. I didn't move toward her, although I sorely wanted to. Play it cool. That was the plan. I almost laughed. Cool? Yeah, right. She was so sweet and so beautiful, I didn't stand a chance.

The day was unseasonably warm, and I'd overdressed in jeans and a dark, long-sleeve shirt. But I had my reasons. A regular Joe wasn't covered in tattoos. He couldn't bench-press three-hundred or beat a man senseless. I wanted to walk with the girl, not scare her – or the neighbors, people she'd probably known a lot longer than me.

The dog, I figured, would be fine no matter what. I had doggie treats, and I wasn't afraid to use them.

By the time the terrier reached me, Chloe was nearly breathless. Her cheeks were pink, and her lips were parted. She stumbled forward, laughing as the dog skidded to a stop near my feet.

I was still holding the bag of treats, and I wasn't about to hide them now. I was a lot of things, but not a tease. Besides, I wasn't a dumb-ass. If the dog hated me, I was doomed.

I gave the bag a little shake. Chucky gave a yap of excitement. So far, so good.

As for his owner, she stopped just outside arm's reach. Her gaze zoomed in on the bag. She paused. "Are those doggie treats?"

"This?" I held up the bag. It was already open. It made a nice, crinkling sound as I shook it again. "Yup."

At my feet, Chucky was going more than a little nuts, straining at the leash and yapping like crazy.

Chloe smiled, and then she laughed. "Trying to get me killed?"

"No," I said. "Trying to get you to stop."