She makes a little growling noise that sounds more like a wet kitten than a tiger, but the thought of her kitty being wet is too distracting, and I have to focus.
“I’m here for the week.” She doesn’t explain further, and I can see that I’m going to have to ask the right questions.
“Are you parked here in the garage?”
“Maybe. Are you going to try and steal my car?”
I have to lower my head to hide my grin. “Aren’t you forgetting you’re the thief?”
“Damn it,” she whispers to herself. “Okay fine, yes I’m parked here. Enough with the interrogation.”
Reaching into her bag, I grab her keys and stand up. “Let’s go.”
“I can’t believe I’m letting you kidnap me,” she huffs as I take her elbow and lead her out of the office.
“You said you wanted the dirt on your dad, right?” When we get to the front, I turn the keypad back on and set the alarm.
“Yes.”
She’s clear in what she wants, and I like how determined she is. That kind of confidence is attractive, and even though she’s pretty damn ridiculous, I can’t help but think that there’s so much more underneath what she’s showing me. Fuck, I’ve got to stop thinking about getting her naked.
When we get down to the garage, I hit the button on her key fob, and a tiny little car lights up.
“Oh hell no.” I’m already shaking my head as we walk closer.
“It’s not my fault you’re the size of an ogre. Besides, I’m kind of grateful that you pointed out I can’t be carjacked by someone bigger than me.”
“How is this thing even allowed on the road? It looks like something Tinkerbell would want to drive.”
“The fact that you know what Tinkerbell would want to drive says more about you than it does about my size.”
I ignore the jab because she’s right. Glancing in the backseat, I see a small suitcase, and I reach in and get it.
“Great, now you’re stealing my clothes!”
“Clearly after the break-in to my office today, this neighborhood isn’t safe for you to leave valuables in overnight.”
“This information you have better be good.”
After locking her car, I grab her hand and pull her toward my car. “Come on, I’m not dying in a car made by Fisher Price.”
“You’re awfully bossy for someone who has to breathe air in a different atmosphere than everyone else.”
My smile curls up at the corner.
“Because you’re tall.”
This time I shake my head. “You know the joke isn’t funny if you have to explain it.” Taking out my keys, I unlock my car, and I feel Sadie’s feet pause when she sees it. She looks at me and then to my car, and her brows furrow together. I can feel her hesitation, and I’ve got to double down on this incredibly stupid idea I’m having. “Do you want the files or not?”
Maybe it’s wrong to use what she’s after as a bargaining chip, but I don’t see a problem with playing that to my advantage. Opening the passenger door, I wait while she makes up her mind.
She takes a breath and straightens her shoulders before she gets in, and I try to keep my smirk to myself as I close the door after her. Once I drop her bag in the back, I get in and then steer us out of the parking garage.
“Are you going to tell me where we’re going or is my murder going to be a surprise?”
“Are you always so dramatic?” I pull up to the red light and glance over at her. She’s pretending to think it over.
“Yes, I think I am.”