Up in Flames(8)

“I’d stay clear of Rush,” Captain called after me. “He thinks you hurt his sister and she’s run off because of you.”

For fuck’s sake! It wasn’t like I was in a relationship with Nan. Jesus, why did everything have to be so damn serious around here? Why couldn’t we all just get along?

I climbed into my truck without responding and headed to the Finlays’ house. I didn’t care what Captain said. I was going to go find her. If I had to deal with her protective, slightly pissed-off brother, I would.

Nan

My phone started vibrating again. Major’s name was lighting up the screen. He had left me alone most of the day, but he was going strong now. He needed a taste of his own medicine. The only difference was, when he ignored me, I didn’t keep trying. I had more pride than that.

His early texts had tried to charm me, but now they had a worried tone. He wasn’t happy about not knowing where I was. Served him right. I was not the kind of girl who sat around until someone gave her attention. I went after it.

“Boyfriend?” Gannon’s voice broke into my thoughts, and I put my phone down.

“No. A friend. An annoying one.” He wanted us to be friends. He was getting that now.

“You going to answer?”

I thought for a second, then shook my head no.

“Good,” Gannon replied, then held out one of his hands. “I planned something for this evening I thought you’d enjoy.”

Wow. OK, so he hadn’t come over here thinking about sex. That had been only me. Nice. We had just finished our drinks, and I was wondering where the night was going to take us.

“What?” I asked, putting my hand in his and standing up.

“You ever seen the Grand Canyon at sunset?”

I shook my head.

“Good. This will be your first time, then.”

“How?” I asked, a little confused.

“Helicopter tour.”

Oh. Nice.

The driver pulled the Mercedes up to a building with a sign outside that said Maverick Tours. There were several buses unloading and loading people. Gannon was watching me closely.

“We have a private tour scheduled. We won’t be riding with everyone else.”

“Do you fly?” I asked, confused.

He smirked. “I have. Illegally, but that’s another story. I won’t put you through that tonight. We have a pilot.”

My stomach did a nervous flip. The way he admitted to flying a helicopter illegally as if it were no big deal was exciting and terrifying. Who was this man?

“Did you go to jail?” I couldn’t help but ask.

He didn’t bat an eye. “Several times.”

The door beside me opened, and he nodded for me to get out. “After you.”

When a man admits to you that he’s gone to jail “several times,” the smart thing to do is get the hell away from him. However, I wasn’t very smart. The area between my legs actually tingled, and I felt like squirming. It absolutely turned me on.

I was screwed up in the head.

I slid over and stepped out of the Mercedes without taking the hand the driver had held out for me. I didn’t need his assistance, nor did I want to touch another man at the moment. I was more than turned on by the fact that I was with a man who was exactly what I suspected him of being: dangerous.