Loverboy (The Company #2) - Sarina Bowen Page 0,70

Max’s hunch look stronger. Smith may be working for the same arms dealer who ruined Max’s life ten years ago.

“All right. I’m out of here,” she says. “Go talk to your girl.”

Your girl. I like the sound of that better than I really should. I spent the whole day thinking pleasant thoughts about Posy. It’s been a long time since a woman got under my skin the way she does.

Scout gathers up her stuff. “Later, Gunn. You’ve already cut into my leisure time.”

“Later.” I walk away without asking what her idea of leisure is. Bungee jumping, probably. Or knife-throwing. She’s an adrenaline junkie.

My leisure time today began at the shop’s seven a.m. opening hour, when Duff came in to relieve me. After explaining to Posy that there would be a Company agent on the premises until further notice, I went home and took a two-hour nap, after which I did a quick workout and then had a meeting with Max.

But now that closing time is near, I’m here to escort Posy on her run to the bank, and then wherever else she wants to go.

When I peek into the kitchen, I catch Posy alone. She's bent over her work, braiding three delicate strands of dough together and humming to herself.

I couldn’t tell you why I stay silent for a moment, just watching her. But there's an energy to Posy that's always fascinated me. Piemaking isn't a life or death job, but she brings a laser-like focus to everything she does.

It was the same all those years ago behind the bar. I used to roll my eyes every time she'd carefully measure out the liquor for a gin and tonic. But I’m not rolling them anymore. Posy isn’t the pampered girl I assumed. She’s so much more than that.

She must feel my gaze on her, because she turns suddenly, startled. “Jeez, Gunnar. I didn’t hear you come in.”

“Sorry,” I grunt, stalking across the room towards her.

She bites her lip and looks away. Like she's not sure how to play it. But I know just what to do. I stop in front of her and lean down, giving her a single, soft kiss. “Are you okay? You look tired.”

“Can't think of why that might be.” Her cheeks go pink as she says it.

Chuckling, I lean in and kiss her again, a good one this time. It's a kiss that remembers all the fun we had last night.

Until the back door bangs open. “Are you kissing Posy?” Jerry demands.

“Yes. People do that sometimes.”

“You have to ask her first,” Jerry insists.

“Right,” I agree.

“I didn’t hear you ask,” Jerry argues.

“He asked very quietly,” Posy replies as she puts the heel of her hand in the center of my chest and pushes me away.

“How long until I flip the sign?” Jerry asks, the kiss already forgotten.

Posy glances at the oven clock. “Twenty minutes. You can wash these pie plates out.” She carries a stack of dishes over to the sink, and deposits them at his workstation.

“Okay,” he says, turning on the water. “I will do it.” The water makes a racket against the metal pie plates, and Jerry sings loudly as he works.

Posy takes the pie she’d been finishing and slips it into the oven. “This is for my nephew. He got an A on his spelling test.”

“Lucky guy. What flavor is it?”

“Chocolate pecan.”

“Can I have a piece?”

She frowns at me. “You think I’d present my nephew with a pie that’s missing a slice? What kind of favorite aunt do you think I am?”

“Well …” I laugh uncomfortably. Then I lean a little closer to keep our conversation private. “Can I buy you dinner? It’s either that or I’m spending the night in a car on this block.”

Posy’s eyes widen. “You mean—for security purposes?”

“Yeah. Sorry.” I cross my arms in front of my chest. “It doesn’t have to be me, if you don’t want it to be. Max would send someone else.”

She grabs the table with both hands. “Is it really that bad? You still think that guy might try to track me down?”

“Probably not,” I say quickly. “But I’d rather be extra careful until I figure out what the hell is going on. The WiFi murderer. The break-in. I’d like to think that it’s not related, but—”

“—You think it is?”

“I think it could be. And I don’t want you caught in the middle.”

She bites her lip, the same one that I kissed a moment ago. “Okay. How am I going to explain to Ginny and

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