Alertness crept in, but she hid it. “You’re still hanging around?”
“I wanted to apologize.” This time he didn’t get too close, wisely staying several yards from her. “I shouldn’t have put my hand on you.”
Hell, most women wouldn’t mind. Most women would find him incredibly good-looking and be flattered.
As she already knew, she wasn’t most women. “No problem. Just don’t do it again and we’ll get along fine.”
Deliberately, she turned on the blower and removed grass clippings off the back lot. He couldn’t keep talking over the noise, but she was able to keep an eye on him.
The second she turned it off, he came a few steps closer. “Jodi?”
Resisting the urge to roll her eyes, she faced him and waited with a display of impatience.
“I’m not sure what might have happened to you to make you so guarded.”
“Nope. You wouldn’t have any idea.”
“If you want to tell me—”
“Not ever happening. Us playing nice doesn’t include sharing secrets.”
“So you do have secrets.”
“Pretty sure you have a few of your own, sport.” Taking advantage of the relative privacy here at the back of the building, she pushed up the sunglasses; it was a habit she had when getting serious. “Who’d you call? Someone who convinced Worth to hire me back? I know he didn’t make that decision on his own.”
He surprised her by saying, “Actually, yes.”
So he’d admit it? Now what game was he playing? She repeated, “Who?”
After a long hesitation, where she could see him struggling with himself, he finally said, “My boss, Russ King.”
“Never heard of him.”
“You know everyone around here?” he challenged. “Doesn’t seem likely since you said you only moved in a week ago.”
Like she wouldn’t find out important stuff first? “I know everyone who’d be a boss who might hire someone like you, yeah.”
That long disclosure made his eyes widen. Deep brown eyes that contrasted nicely with his fair hair. Yup, plenty of women would be interested right now.
The fact that he left her cold was another stark reminder of her past.
Cautiously, he repeated, “Someone like me?” As if he didn’t know exactly what she meant.
She stared into his pretty brown eyes and gave her meanest smile. “Yeah, you know, someone dirty enough to be hired, but smart enough to know I won’t be easy.”
Holding her gaze, he drifted closer. “You’ve got it all wrong.”
“Do I? So why don’t you tell me what it is you really want, and so you know, time is short and I have other things I need to do.” Like talk to Hunter, ask him what he knew about Remmy and his boss, maybe do a little cybersearching, ferret out a few creeps.
Screw the everyday life for the everyday woman. There were times when it wouldn’t work—like now.
He stopped six feet from her. “Worth has been running his mouth, claiming you’re a troublemaker.”
“So? I don’t care what he says.”
“Russ and Worth play cards together. It came up, and since Russ is looking for a landscaper but doesn’t want anyone who’ll be a problem—”
“Rules me out, doesn’t it?”
“Not at all. Worth obviously doesn’t understand that strong and astute is not the same as problematic.”
Now, what was this about? Trying to sneak past her distrust using stupid compliments? By the second, Jodi’s suspicion grew that Remmy was the man who’d been at her house. For what reason, she didn’t know, but she wouldn’t find out by telling him to fuck off. “You’re smarter than Worth, I take it. You see the difference?”
“Absolutely. King only hires strong, loyal people.”
“Those two traits don’t necessarily go hand in hand.”
“Definitely not, but in your case, I believe they do.” His gaze dipped over her—and made her spine stiffen until he quickly focused on her face again. “See, Worth might think he’s the money around here, but it’s really King. He’s just not as loud about it because he doesn’t want people hitting him up for every little project. Don’t misunderstand, though. He’s generous. Anonymously. He doesn’t do it for the clout the way Worth does.”
“All goodness and light, huh?” She curled her lip enough to ensure he caught her sarcasm. “Sounds like a saint.”
Remmy’s laugh was low and rough, and some would consider it sexy. “Don’t go overboard.”
She didn’t care about his lame, affected laugh. She didn’t care about his congenial attitude. She definitely didn’t give a flip that he’d glanced at her body with male awareness.
Hell no, she didn’t care about that.
So why had it ratcheted up her anxiety?
Unwilling to show him a weakness, she stared into his eyes and asked, “What is it your boss does that makes him so well-to-do?” She’d be willing to bet it was something illegal—not that Remmy would admit it. Didn’t matter. She had a nose for these things.
“He has a recreation business. Kayaking, river rafting, cabins and tent sites to rent, a few powerboats, just about everything to do with kicking back on or near the water.”
“One location?” She’d check it out and get a feel for the place.
“Several, actually. None here in Triple Creek, though if you want a kayak, odds are the closest place to get it would be owned by King. He’s never on-site at the businesses anymore. He has managers for that, but if you’d like to take a look around, I can give you a tour.”
Was that a euphemism for “get you alone and murder you”? Possible. She’d give it a little more thought, but for now, with him waiting, she said, “Yeah, maybe.”
“Really?” As if pleased by the prospect, Remmy smiled. “Say the word and I’ll make it happen.”
She didn’t like his eagerness any more than she’d liked that intimate look. “It’s not like I need a guide, right? I could just google it.”
Something passed over his expression, regret or...worry? Hard to tell, but it definitely wasn’t what she’d expected.
“Or,” she said, pushing past his awkward hesitation, “you could just give me Mr. King’s number and I’ll call him, make arrangements to scope out the property he wants maintained.” She lifted her shoulders. “Your mission will be accomplished, right?”