Avenging Angel

She stood there dripping wet.

And very, very naked.

As awe inspiring as that sight was, however, the revolver held steady in her hands, barrel pointed right at the middle of his chest, demanded his full attention.

“You owe me an explanation,” she said. “Better make it a good one.”

Everything he thought to say died on his lips.

She lowered the gun and in the next instant apparently became aware of her state of undress. “Don’t you dare leave,” she said scowling and, turning gracefully on bare heels, strode back into the bathroom, banging the door behind her.

Hell, he wouldn’t have left for a million dollars.

A belly laugh rolled up his throat and erupted. It died a second later when the bathroom door flew open and Elle reappeared, still frowning, this time wrapped in a towel with her fair hair combed back from her freshly scrubbed and stunning face. She looked impossibly healthy and so alive she burned up the room.

She’d also apparently left the gun in the bathroom.

“What do you think you’re doing?” she snapped.

“I thought I was searching your cabin,” he said, but it was hard to talk. Somehow, and go figure this one out, she looked more naked with a towel on than she had without it. But maybe that was because the image of her glistening nude body had burned itself into his brain. Her breasts, smaller than he’d thought they would be, but perfectly formed. The smooth skin of her belly. The curves between breasts and hips. Her legs—

His hands almost itched with the desire to stride on over to her and—

And what? Good grief, get a grip. You’ve seen naked women before.

“Are you always so careless?” she asked, moving toward the closet. She picked up her purse and threw it on the bed, then reached for her robe. Turning her back to him, she pulled it on as the towel puddled around her bare feet. By the time she turned, she was belted into blue terry cloth and much easier to talk to.

“Not usually,” he said, lowering his hands.

“Breaking and entering—”

“Your door wasn’t locked. Technically, no breaking.”

She frowned as though thinking, then perched on the edge of her bed, crossing her legs, studying him.

“Why?”

“Did I toss your place?”

She nodded.

“Because the boss wants you to fly you out with us tomorrow. I had to make sure you are who you said you were.”

“He is?”

“Yep. I told you the wet T-shirt was a no-brainer.”

“What about the boys in security?”

“They’re slow. Must be a backlog.”

“And are you satisfied now?”

“Yeah.”

“Just from looking through my purse?”

“Just from looking through your purse. Of course, I’m a professional.”

A smile broke unexpectedly, curving her lips, lighting her eyes. It transformed her face and he felt a grin tug at the corners of his own lips in response. It was like that sensation he’d had earlier, about there being two Elles behind the eyes.

As the smile fizzled, she said, “Are you worried that I’m the one sending death threats to Alazandro?”

“I hadn’t thought of that,” he said truthfully. “Of course, up until a few minutes ago, I didn’t know you packed a gun.”

“I grew up on a ranch.”

“Which explains the horse riding and artillery skills.”

“That’s right.”

He tilted his head and stared into her eyes. Now that he knew to look, he could see the tiny curved edges of her contact lenses. He said, “Alazandro was right, Ms. Medina. You are full of surprises.”

“Damn right.”

“Peg Stiles doesn’t want you to leave. She’s pretty sure Alazandro is out to corrupt you.”

“What do you think?” she asked, pulling the edges of her robe together. They’d fallen apart to reveal a creamy patch of thigh and he took a steadying breath. It wouldn’t do to start feeling all sexy towards Alazandro’s current conquest-to-be.

He said, “I think Peg is right.”

Elle’s smile was back, not quite as illuminating. “So do I.”

“So, we’re back to square one,” he said, “although it is odd how cool and calm you are after finding me searching your cabin. Most women wouldn’t confront a man stark naked, you know.”

“That’s true. But you already knew I was a brazen hussy.”

“Yeah. But you didn’t know it was me when you barged out of the bathroom.”

“I didn’t barge, I crept. Besides, it didn’t matter who it was. No one should have been here. Period.”

“Do you always take a gun with you when you shower?”

“Not always.”

“Wouldn’t it be easier to lock your front door?”

“Would that have stopped you?”