Just Pretending by Myrna Mackenzie

Author:Myrna Mackenzie
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Silhouette Montana Mavericks
Published: 2000-10-29T16:00:00+00:00

All right, so reality was finally beginning to sink in, Gretchen realized, curling her trembling hand more tightly around her coffee cup, then quickly glancing David’s way to make sure he hadn’t noticed.

His eyes flashed dark green sparks. “Let’s get out of here,” he growled, reaching for her as he climbed to his feet. “The day’s gone on too long, and in the end, Storm Hunter really didn’t tell us anything we didn’t already know.”

“Except that he’s one very angry man,” Gretchen said flippantly, stepping out into the aisle herself. She purposely held her hand at her side.

He stared pointedly at where she’d folded her closed fingers against the dark cloth of her pants.

“Lots of officers would have quaked under that kind of abuse,” he said quietly.

She gave a small laugh. “You don’t have to pat me on the head, David. I’m sure you’ve had more than your share of people spitting into your face. That comes with the badge.”

“Maybe so, but no one ever said it was one of the more pleasant aspects of the law enforcement business.” He waited for her to gather her gear, then strolled out of the office beside her.

It pleased her that he didn’t try to baby her as they left the station. He didn’t treat her as if she were some fragile female, even though he’d obviously wanted to give Storm a body slam earlier today. He’d wanted to, but he hadn’t.

“Thanks,” she said quietly as they climbed into the car.

He raised both brows, but didn’t ask what she meant.

“You know what I’m talking about, Hannon. You grew up in a house filled with ladies who probably loved having you play the perfect gentleman. Your mother is a wonderful woman, a strong woman, and an absolute sweet heart, but don’t tell me that those traditional male and female roles didn’t exist in your household. You were born opening doors for women and kissing their hands. I’m sure it took a lot to keep you from defending my honor today.”

He gave a harsh laugh. “Don’t thank me. Thank Rafe. I was ready to deck Hunter and you know it.”

She smiled. “Yes, but you were mulling the situation over. I could see it in the tense cords in your neck. You could have easily flattened him by the time Rafe entered the room, but something held you back. I suspect it was concern for my position.”

He turned to the side, but she didn’t miss the slow smile that eased onto his lips. “You think you know me, do you?”

She shook her head. “No, but I’m beginning to. Your natural inclination is to come to a lady’s rescue. You’ve done it any number of times with me, but today, when it counted, when my ability to handle my job was in question, you held back. I’d like to think it was because you respected me.”

“Don’t ever think I don’t.” The smile had disappeared when he swung back around. “But don’t make the mistake of thinking that it was easy, either.

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