Conflict of Interest (The McClouds of Mississippi 2)

“That’s certainly the way it sounded. And I didn’t appreciate it.”

“Adrienne, I’m sorry. It’s just, well, you know how I get about Dylan Smith.”

“Yes, I know how you get about him. And to be honest, I’m fed up with it. At least Dylan makes an effort to be civil, despite your macho posturing around each other.”

Her defense of Dylan piqued his own temper all over again. “Then I guess you’ll be glad to get back to New York and away from my uncivilized behavior,” he said stiffly.

“I certainly should be glad,” she snapped.

Because she hadn’t actually said she would be glad, he was somewhat appeased. Giving a disgruntled look at the envelope that had started this quarrel—and thinking that Dylan could cause trouble even when he wasn’t around—he told himself he should let it go. Even if Dylan Smith did have delusions of following in Gideon’s creative footsteps, it didn’t mean the guy actually had talent. The book was probably a poor imitation of Gideon’s books, and Adrienne was too professional to pretend otherwise, no matter how much she liked the jerk.

“I’m sorry,” he repeated. “You’re right. It’s none of my business.”

She moved her head in a barely perceptible nod. “I’ll go make sure I have all of my things out of your room. We have to leave soon.”

He swallowed a curse as he watched her stalk out of the room. Seemed like every time he turned around he ticked her off.

It was probably a good thing that she was leaving now, before he made her so angry she would never speak to him again. He was lousy with relationships—even the temporary kind. Just as well this one was over, he assured himself, trying to ignore the hollow feeling deep inside him.

Gideon walked her as far as the check-in counter at the airport. They hadn’t said much during the drive, though Adrienne had made an effort to put their spat behind them and get back to a professional tone with him. She could stew about her pain and irritation with him during the long flight home.

“There’s no need for you to hang around,” she told him. “You’ve got a long drive back, and I’ll have to sit around here for a while.”

Pushing his hands in his pockets, he nodded. “I guess I’ll go, then. You’re sure you’ll be okay? Your ankle’s not bothering you?”

“It’s still sore, of course, but I’ll sit whenever I have the chance. I won’t overdo it.” She had worn her sock-and-brace again, leaving the crutches behind for Gideon to return to the doctor. She figured she would be tired and sore by the time she finally reached her apartment that evening, but she would make it.

“You’ll ask for help if you need it?”

“Of course I will,” she answered heartily, but she knew she lied. She was too accustomed to looking after herself.

He didn’t look particularly reassured by her answer, but he only nodded again.

She shifted her purse more comfortably on her shoulder, clutching her bulging briefcase in her hands. “I’ll call you in a few

days—after I talk to your editor.”

“I’ll try to have the book finished in a couple of weeks.”

She hesitated, then took the risk of annoying him again. “You haven’t considered changing the ending?”

“It’s moving along fine the way I planned it.”

She studied his mulish expression for a moment, then sighed and shook her head. “Stubborn man.”

His slight smile was rueful. “Bossy woman.”

She chuckled and spoke without thinking. “Quite a pair, aren’t we?”

He reached up to touch her cheek in a gesture that was uncharacteristically sweet, coming from him. “We certainly were.”

His use of the past tense made her smile fade. “Well,” she said, gripping her things more tightly, “I guess I’d better get started with all the security checks.”

“Yes, that does take a while. So, goodbye, then.”

Feeling a bit foolish, she stuck out her right hand. “Goodbye.”

He glanced at her hand, scowled, then reached out to snag the back of her neck and pull her toward him. He kissed her firmly, with the arrogant possessiveness that was entirely characteristic of him. Only when he had kissed her half-senseless did he release her, stepping back so abruptly she staggered a little.