Love Spell Read Online Free Page B

shrugged. “I know. I’ll find another place to stay for a day or two. Maybe some roach motel. Funny thing, though, they kind of expect payment even if you share the bed with the rats. Let’s just go back, run in, grab my stuff, and run out. Deal?”
    Her frown deepened. “Clint, I’ll foot the bill. You can pay me back when it’s safe to get your wallet.”
    He sighed. “When do you think it’ll be ‘safe’?”
    She thought for a moment. “I’ll get back to you. For now, let’s book you at a hotel. I’ll run surveillance on your apartment later tonight.”
    “How you getting in?” he asked.
    Wordlessly, Molly climbed into her car. Clint sighed again, and got in as well. In a moment, they were off.
    “Look, Molly,” he said as they pulled onto Alhambra Street, “this hasn’t been the best Monday I’ve ever had. Frankly, it’s been a bit freaky. And you? I know we haven’t really seen each other much in the last six years, but this isn’t the Molly I remember. Since I answered your questions—”
    “Partially.”
    “—I think I’m due a few answers myself.”
    Without taking her eyes from the road, she asked, “What do you want to know?”
    “Well, let’s think about it. You come out of nowhere to save me; you drive better than Jeff Gordon; you don’t even flinch when your best friend fills your car full of lead. Mysteriously, despite the hail of gunfire, you escape without even a single flat tire. Heck, for all I know, this Beemer’s probably sporting tailpipe smokescreen emitters, rocket launchers, and machine guns in the headlights.”
    “There are no machine guns.”
    Clint threw his hands up. “What’s that supposed to mean? I feel like I woke up trapped inside a James Bond movie.”
    “Bond is fiction. I’m not.”
    He exhaled. “How about you just tell me what brings you back to town? Aside from Holly’s reunion party. Last I heard from you, you were headed east for school. I barely even got to say goodbye.”
    “Virginia,” she replied. “Lovely place. I came back for business.”
    He arched an eyebrow. “What do you do these days?”
    She stopped for a red light and locked eyes with him. “If I told you, I’d have to kill you.”
    He laughed. “No, seriously.”
    No answer. The light changed and they moved on.
     
    A half an hour later they were standing in the lobby of the first reasonably decent hotel they could find, wrapping up the check-in process. The place was mid-range—not the Ritz Carlton by any stretch, but thankfully uninfested. Clint leaned casually on the check-in desk, scanning the breakfast buffet in the room annexed to the lobby. A few, older patrons spared him some scowls, but each looked away when he responded with a smirk and a wave.
    “Here’s your room key, sir,” the girl behind the desk said with an awkward smile. Her eyes traveled quickly down the length of his torso and she blushed. Suddenly, her computer seemed to become very interesting to her. Clint gave the girl the once over. Probably second-year college kid; he’d been there only a few years back. Almost attractive, but there was something not quite right with her nose. No temptation at all. He took the key card with a nod, and turned to Molly.
    “You’re going to dress me, now, yes?” He didn’t mind being shirtless in public, but knowing that his valuables were unguarded in his apartment, and wishing for even a pair of flip-flops, he felt strangely naked.
    She raised an eyebrow. “My taste in men’s fashion is terrible,” Molly replied. “Ask your sister. You’ll have to arrange for your own clothing.”
    “Right. With all this money sitting here in my pocket. C’mon. Let’s hit my place.” He thought he heard a small gasp from the clerk.
    Get over it, little girl , he thought. You’re not my type anyway.
    Molly shook her head. “Stay put. I’ll call your room when things are ready.”
    Clint realized she wasn’t going to budge. Time for some special tactics. Start