Yeah.
She looked prim and efficient in her practical glasses and scooped-up hair.
She made his mouth water.
Holt and I sort of take turns with themthat's since Suzanna tossed up her hands and called us idiots.
He smiled charmingly.
We
figured, you know, with her being pregnant at the time, she didn't need any more stress.
Hmmm...
Megan was already turning pages. For her, the state of the bookkeeping didn't bring on anxiety so much as a sense of challenge.
Your files?
We got 'em.
Nathaniel jerked a thumb at the dented metal cabinet shoved in the corner. There was a small, greasy boat motor on top of it.
Is there anything in them?
she said pleasantly.
Last I looked there was.
He couldn't help it. The more prim and efficient her voice, the more he wanted to razz her.
Invoices?
Sure.
Expense receipts?
Absolutely.
He reached in another drawer and took out a large cigar box.
We got
plenty of receipts.
She took the box, opened the lid and sighed.
This is how you run your business?
No. We run the business by taking people out to sea, or repairing their boats. Even building them.
He leaned forward on the desk, mostly so he could catch a better whiff of that soft, elusive scent that clung to her skin.
Me, I've never been much on
paperwork, and Holt had his fill of it when he was on the force.
His smile spread.
He didn't figure she wore prim glasses, pulled-back hair and buttoned-up blouses so that a man would yearn to toss aside, muss up and unbutton. But the result was the same.
Maybe that's why the accountant we hired to do the taxes this year developed this little tic.
He tapped a finger beside his left eye.
I heard he moved to
Jamaica to sell straw baskets.
She had to laugh.
I'm made of sterner stuff, I promise you.
Never doubted it.
He leaned back again, his swivel chair squeaking.
You've got a
nice smile, Megan. When you use it.
She knew that tone, lightly flirtatious, unmistakably male. Her defenses locked down like a vault.
You're not paying me for my smile.
I'd rather it came free, anyhow. How'd you come to be an accountant?
I'm good with numbers.
She spread the ledger on the desk before opening her briefcase and taking out a calculator.
So's a bookie. I mean, why'd you pick it?
Because it's a solid, dependable career.
She began to run numbers, hoping to ignore him.