Wild Justice (Nadia Stafford 3)

"May I come in?" he asked.

"Sorry. I was getting into the shower. Just . . . Let me take the chain off and give me five seconds to get into the bathroom."

"Um, even if you weren't wearing the robe, it's nothing I haven't seen before." His grin grew, eyes glinting. "And nothing I'd complain about seeing again."

Wonderful. Quinn wasn't just here at the worst possible time. He was here in the worst possible mood.

"Right. Sorry. I'm just . . ."

"Rough night? I heard. Which is why I'm here, though I'd prefer to be inside . . ."

"Right. Just a sec."

I closed the door and counted to five, getting my thoughts in order. Call Jack. That's what I had to do. Before he walked in with breakfast and a box of condoms. My phone was in my purse, on the floor, half spilled from last night.

Last night . . .

Ah, hell. Hell, hell, hell. Really, Quinn? Now?

"Dee?"

I snatched up my cell phone. Then I unfastened the door. I was backing away to let him in when I caught a glimpse of green lace by the chair. I managed to kick my panties underneath with a punt that would make a footballer proud.

Quinn walked in. His gaze traveled over me again. "Nice robe."

"Um, thanks. I'm going to take that shower."

"You want company?"

My cheeks flared.

"Sorry," Quinn said. "I'll behave. Go on."

I was starting to leave when I remembered that half of my undergarments were still unaccounted for. I looked over and saw a bit of my bra strap on the armchair. As Quinn put down coffee, I tossed the throw pillow back onto the armchair, covering my bra. Then I scampered into the bathroom.

I locked the door, started the shower, and called Jack.

"Quinn's here," I said when he answered.

Silence.

"Not a joke," I whispered. "I wouldn't do that."

Another moment of silence. "Fuck."

"Exactly. I have no idea what's going on. I'm holed up in the bathroom pretending to shower to explain why I answered the door in a robe."

"Fuck."

"Right. So just . . ."

"On my way."

"Thanks."

CHAPTER 39

I stuck my head into the shower and towel-dried my hair. Then I prepared to dress and . . . realized I had nothing to wear except, well, the dress. Which had a rip down the seam. Even my undergarments were in the next room. So I put on the dress and then I put the robe over it.