Bounty Hunters: 03 Stay Hungry (36 page)

He moved silently across the parking lot, which was impressive in his black boots and the gravel. Her own shoes crunched over the fine, white pebbles but she didn't care. Anymore than she cared how Sheriff Oakley reminded her of a deadly predator, approaching with skills so fine tuned-and a body so vital she imagined every inch of him was hard-packed under his rugged exterior. His faded jeans looked comfortable and hugged long, muscular legs. He was tall, and his black wavy hair was as dark as a starless sky.

He had a lazy stroll, moving as everyone else here seemed to do. She doubted there was anything lazy about Trent Oakley, though. The way he watched her gave her the impression he didn't miss a thing that went on around him.

She was also acutely aware of how carefully he watched her, as if trying to understand something about her that he didn't want to ask. He was studying her, making mental inventory, and it made her want to scream.

Just ask what you want to know and I'll tell you, if it's any of your business.
His scrutinizing stare was about business, but Natasha didn't miss the sizzling sexual undertones surrounding him as well.

Something in his eyes made her wary. They were a simple green, although the way they pierced through her made them seem anything other than ordinary. His thick, black hair helped set off his sharp facial features: his straight nose, broad cheekbones, and his mouth, which was currently pressed into a thin line. The man was beyond gorgeous, and as he moved closer, he seemed to set the air around them into a charged state of anticipation. This was a guy who made things happen, took the bull by the horns, possibly literally, and controlled even the air she breathed when he paused next to her. She inhaled the sexual energy charged around her and told herself it came completely from him.

"Need help carrying anything to your room?" he asked, his slow drawl sounding as dangerous as the rest of him appeared.

"No, but thanks." She'd decided on impulse, as a way to avoid allowing the sheriff into her room, that she'd come downstairs and pull the GPS system her uncle had installed in each truck out of the dash. She was able to do the same with the CD player. Better safe than sorry and she didn't want it stolen. "The room is nice by the way. Thanks for recommending this place."

"Matilda will be thrilled to hear that." Trent followed her around to her driver's side and paused, resting his hand on the roof of the midnight-blue Avalanche. "This your truck?"

Natasha looked at him, but he was focused on the truck's interior. "Why do I think you already know the answer to that question?" she asked. If it had been her, she would have already run the tags. The way he watched her like a hawk she wouldn't be surprised if he ran as thorough a background check on her as she had on him.

He didn't answer her question, nor did his expression change when she slid into the driver's seat and snapped the GPS out of the dash. She did the same with the CD player.

Trent glanced at both items in her hands when she slid out of the truck and the corner of his mouth curved. "Is that what you came down here to get?"

"There's no reason to invite someone to break into my truck," she informed him, watching when those alert eyes of his lifted to her face.

"Nope. I agree." He still looked amused.

"What?" she demanded. It was so incredibly tempting to flirt with him, or spar a bit. She was only here for a day, and he was one hell of a sexy man. A bit of exchange would help him show off his true nature.

"Nothing." He dropped his attention to the GPS system and CD player, or maybe it was her breasts.

"Do you find it amusing when people lock everything and remove valuables from their cars?" she demanded. "Let me guess, no one around here locks anything."

"Not until recently," he said, his voice lowering a notch and his facial features turning harder than they were a moment before.

"And why is that?" she asked, lowering her voice as well and turning to face him. She hugged the two items against her as she squared off with the sheriff.

"Because up until recently, crime wasn't the main focus for folks around here."

"What's changed that?"

The sheriff didn't answer right away. He searched her face, possibly looking for signs of deception. Natasha wasn't sure why he believed she would know anything about what was going on in this small town when she lived in LA and worked for a very successful company. She had her own crimes and criminals to keep her busy. She didn't break eye contact, but she wasn't going to remain under his compelling gaze for long.

Natasha let another moment pass, then shrugged. "Tomorrow at 2
PM
," she said, shut the truck door, and started around the front of the truck, once again pushing the button on her key chain and making the truck beep as it locked.

Trent grabbed her arm.

Natasha froze, glancing down at where strong, long fingers wrapped around her bicep.

"If you're hiding anything, Miss King, I will find out." He barely whispered and his fingers tightened around her arm. "Don't judge someone's abilities because they come from a small town."

"And I'm sure you aren't judging someone's abilities based on their gender," she shot back at him. "Let go of my arm now, Sheriff," she said, matching his low, dangerous tone.

Trent studied her, really studied her, holding her firmly and taking his time as his gaze traveled from her head to her feet, and back up again. Natasha hated the fire that ignited inside her the longer he kept her pinned in front of him.

"Why did you agree to come up here?" he asked when he looked at her face once again.

There wasn't any reason to lie. "If there is something wrong with my dad, I'm going to help him," she said flatly.

"I see."

"Wouldn't you do the same?"

"Yup."

"You're still holding my arm."

Trent lazily studied his fingers, moving them easily over her shirt sleeve, but not letting go. Natasha breathed in a cleansing breath, fighting to keep her cool when she ached to show this chauvinistic brute exactly what she thought of being manhandled.

"Let go of me, Sheriff. Unless you'd rather I make you let go of me."

Trent's gaze shot to hers. A fire ignited in his eyes that hadn't been there a second ago.

"Is that a threat?"

"It's a promise."

St. Martin's Paperbacks Titles By
LORIE O'CLARE

Tall, Dark and Deadly

Long, Lean and Lethal

Strong, Sleek and Sinful

Play Dirty

Get Lucky

Stay Hungry

Anthologies

The Bodyguard

Men of Danger

Praise for Lorie O'Clare's previous novels

"The best book I've read this year!"

--
New York Times
bestselling author Lora Leigh on
Tall, Dark and Deadly

"O'Clare [writes] page-turners filled with well-developed characters, and sparkling, sharp-witted dialogue ... and attraction so strong you can feel it!"

--
Romantic Times BOOKreviews

"Gripping."

--
A Romance Review

"Ms. O'Clare has written a gritty, dangerous, and sexy story. The action starts on the first page and doesn't let up until the last.
Tall, Dark and Deadly
is a page-turner packed with sensuality and suspense. You won't want to miss this one."

--
Fallen Angel Reviews

"Intriguing [and] highly stimulating ... a fantastic blend of mystery and suspense."

--
All About Murder

"The passion and steamy sensuality are great, as are the action and emotion."

--
Romance Reviews Today

"Sexy ... I am irrevocably hooked on Lori O'Clare."

--
Joyfully Reviewed

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously.

STAY HUNGRY

Copyright (c) 2011 by Lorie O'Clare.

Excerpt from
Go Wild
copyright (c) 2011 by Lorie O'Clare.

All rights reserved.

For information address St. Martin's Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.

ISBN: 978-0-312-37218-7

St. Martin's Paperbacks edition / October 2011

St. Martin's Paperbacks are published by St. Martin's Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.

eISBN 978-1-4299-9576-4

First St. Martin's Paperbacks eBook Edition: October 2011