Janet Evanovich - Hot Stuff

“This is a real pain in the ass,” Marty said. “This is turning into one of those days . I’m going to go to my room and take a pill and pack.”

“I thought you had a party tonight.”

“I do. It’s in Aruba.”

At ten minutes to five, Cate rushed out of the condo and ran into Pugg, still waiting in the hall.

“What the heck?” Cate said.

“Pugg got off work at four, so Pugg came back.”

Marty was long gone, but an hour ago Cate had gotten another hang up, so she thought running into Pugg might be an okay thing. Truth is, she was feeling a little freaked out by Marty and the phone calls, and she wouldn’t mind having someone walk out of the building with her.

“Here’s the deal,” Cate said. “The boyfriend-girlfriend thing isn’t going to work for us, but we could be friends.”

“Pugg was in the market for a girlfriend.”

Cate checked her watch. She was going to be late. “Pugg’s going to have to settle,” Cate said.

“If we’re just friends, does Pugg get any?”

“Any what?”

“You know… whoopee do. Does Pugg get to hide the salami? Pugg has needs.”

“Pugg’s going to have to take care of his own needs,” Cate said, heading for the elevator.

“Will you watch?”

“No!”

Seconds later, Cate was on the street, head down, power walking to Evian’s.

“Cate has long legs,” Pugg said, trotting beside Cate and breathing heavily, trying to keep up. “Pugg likes that in a woman.”

Cate stopped outside the bar and looked at Pugg. He was an obnoxious little bugger, but she had to give him points for persistence and a positive attitude.

“Thanks for walking me to the bar,” Cate said.

“Pugg will stay here and walk you home.”

“No walking home,” Cate said. “None. Nada. No way.”

“Pugg doesn’t understand no .”

Cate blew out a sigh and went into the building.

Thirty minutes before closing, Kellen McBride walked in and claimed a bar stool. Cate’s heart involuntarily skipped a beat, and she mentally scolded herself about getting a grip. Okay, so he was a great-looking guy. And he was charming. And he was a flirt. All fun things, but no reason to get unhinged.

“Pick your poison,” Cate said to him.

“Surprise me.”

Cate drew a draft and started a tab.

“Not a lot going on tonight,” Kellen said.

“Marty isn’t singing. Customers always drop off when Marty isn’t here.”

“Are you friendly with Marty?”

“Moderately. Why, do you want an introduction?”

He shook his head. “No. I’m just making conversation. Don’t want you to nod off on your shift.”

Cate looked down the bar. Less than half the stools were in use. And no one required her attention. Everyone was nursing a drink and watching the overhead television.

“So what’s a nice girl like you doing in a place like this?” Kellen asked.

“I’m putting myself through college,” Cate said. “It’s perfect. I work nights and go to school days. It’s between semesters right now so I’m kind of lost during the day. I’m not used to having free time.”

“I could help with the free time,” Kellen said.

“Spoken like my brother’s banker.”

“I occasionally work for a bank, but I’m not a banker. And I don’t know your brother.”

“Swear on the blood of your ancestors?”

“That sounds a little grim, even for an Irish girl, but yeah, I swear. What’s the deal with the banker?”

“My family is working hard to find me a husband. They mean well, but I don’t want a husband right now.”

Oh great, Kellen thought, doing a mental grimace. The woman had principles, worthy goals, and determination. Not only did she have those big, beautiful brown eyes, she had some intelligence behind them. Just what he didn’t need.

“You have other priorities… like school.”

“Exactly.”

Cate caught movement in her peripheral vision and turned to catch Pugg motoring over to the bar.

“What’s this?” Pugg asked, pulling up next to Kellen. “Pugg senses someone moving in on his squeeze.”

Kellen looked down at Pugg and smiled. “Kellen McBride,” he said, extending his hand.

“Patrick Pugg.”

“I’m not your squeeze,” Cate said to Pugg, her voice low, hoping to avoid a scene.

“Pugg has plans.”

“Pugg is a nut,” Cate said, just slightly louder.

“Many people have said this to Pugg, but Pugg is not deterred so easily. Pugg will be waiting outside to walk you home.”

“No!” Cate said. “And if you tell me Pugg doesn’t understand no , I’ll have you bodily evicted from the bar.”

“Then Pugg’s lips are sealed, but you know what Pugg is thinking.”

“I’m walking Cate home,” Kellen said to Pugg.

“Pugg doesn’t believe this.”

“It’s true,” Cate said. “He’s my… boyfriend.”

“Pugg was told you were available. Pugg was told you were desperate for a roll in the hay. Maybe not in so many words, but Pugg felt it was implied.”

“Kellen and I roll in the hay a lot,” Cate said.

“Cate’s mother didn’t tell any of this to Pugg.”

“She doesn’t know,” Cate said. “Kellen is a secret. I didn’t think my mother would approve.”

“Why wouldn’t your mother approve?” Pugg asked.

“It’s my job,” Kellen said. “I kill people. It pays well, but it’s not universally socially acceptable.”

“Pugg thinks you might be pulling Pugg’s leg, but then Pugg isn’t entirely sure. You could look like a killer. Pugg will wait outside and watch from a respectful distance.”

“Do I really look like a killer?” Kellen asked Cate.

Cate studied him. He had laugh lines at the corners of his eyes, but there was something else there, too. Grit, Cate thought. He was older than she was, and had seen more of life. And she suspected not all of what he’d seen had been good. “You don’t look like a killer,” Cate said, “but you look like you could kill if you had to.”

There was no change in Kellen’s expression. His eyes were steady and noncommittal, and his mouth remained soft with a hint of a smile at the corners. And Cate knew she was frighteningly close to the truth.

“I’ll wait and walk you out,” Kellen said. “Don’t want you to look like a big fibber.”

“Thanks,” Cate said, wondering if she might not have been safer with Pugg.

Evian’s closed at eleven on Mondays. Gerald Evian, owner in residence, dimmed the lights at 10:50, and the few remaining customers silently left their stools and wandered out. By five after eleven the registers were empty, the bottles were capped, and all the glasses were clean. Evian unlocked the door for Cate and Kellen, and they stepped out of the cool bar air into the warm night.

Pugg was waiting on the sidewalk. “Pugg decided there was something fishy going on, so Pugg is waiting to be convinced,” Pugg said.

Kellen pulled Cate to him and kissed her. It was gentle and lingering, and there was just a touch of tongue. Not so much that Cate felt he deserved a knee in the groin, but enough to give her an unexpected rush.

“Okay,” Pugg said. “Pugg is temporarily convinced. Cate didn’t drop-kick Kellen when Kellen kissed her, but Pugg still thinks there’s something rotten in Denmark. Are you sure you don’t want Pugg to walk you home, too?” he asked Cate.

“I’ll be fine,” Cate said, “but thank you for offering.”

“Pugg would put himself at personal risk for you. Pugg would carry you over mud puddles and walk on burning coals. Pugg would fly you to the moon.”

“Gotta go now,” Cate said, inching away.