by Jan Hudson
Irritation flashed over her. She was sick to death of hearing how dangerous it was for her to drive a tow truck. She didn’t need anyone telling her how to run her life, least of all someone who hung out in sleazy nightclubs. “I like it,” she snapped. “And it pays the bills. It’s honest work, Mr. Russo.”
Nick smiled as he watched her chin jut out as she gripped the wheel and concentrated on her driving. For the first time in a long time, he felt the strong stirring of genuine attraction to a woman. Not since Paula had left had he felt much of anything. Oh, he’d been out with women; he’d played the games, but he hadn’t felt anything. And if he were honest with himself, he hadn’t felt much for Paula their last couple of years together.
He looked at the little spitfire beside him and tried to compare her with his ex-wife. Besides the fact that they were both beautiful, although in very different ways, there was no comparison. Paula had been all cool surface with no interest in family or anything other than her own image. She’d never gotten excited about anything. He almost laughed out loud when he tried to imagine Paula, In greasy jeans, driving a wrecker or trying to drag a dancer offstage or yelling at Sal.
By the time she pulled into his driveway, Nick had decided that he definitely planned on seeing more of Chris Ponder. It was going to be an interesting relationship. She was an independent little thing, but she brought out a protective streak that he didn’t even know he had.
The first thing he was going to do was find her a job in his organization that would keep her off the streets.
After she unhooked the Rolls in front of the garages, Nick took a couple of hundred from his money clip and handed it to her.
“What’s this?” she asked, frowning at the bills in her hand.
“Consider it payment for the extra irritation at the club.”
Did he think he could wave a little cash under her nose and everything would be all right? Anger boiled up in her like an overheated radiator as she extracted her usual fee and thrust the rest back at him. Why had she ever thought this macho jerk was attractive?
“It’s been irritating all right, Mr. Russo, but I won’t take hush money!” Scrambling into the truck, she slammed the door and revved the engine. Leaning out the window, she yelled, “And you can tell Mr. Milella that the Viking has bumped his last grind!”
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THE RIGHT MOVES is available from your favorite ebook store now.