"Hey boss?" Mara called a second time.
Vaughn groaned and touched his forehead to Annabelle's, their breathing coming in rapid gulps. "I am not answering," he muttered.
Annabelle laughed. "I second that."
"Vaughn, the police are here to see you," Mara said this time, her tone more urgent. "Are you there?"
"You are definitely getting it," Annabelle said, changing her mind and reaching for the gadget on his belt.
"Yeah I guess I am." With more regret than he'd believed possible, he rolled off her, unhooked the walkie-talkie and pressed the talk button. I’m here," he said to Mara. "Tell them I'll be there in five."
"Will do, boss."
"Well that was fun," Annabelle said with a grin.
He shot her an apologetic glance.
"Hey, it's no big deal."
He stood and held a hand out for her to grab and then helped her to her feet. She brushed herself off and he did the same, the remnants of dirt and
grass covering them no matter how hard they tried to clean up.
He picked a stray leaf from her hair and a twig from the back of her shirt and she merely chuckled. "You surprise me again," he said.
"Why's that?" she asked as she straightened her clothing.
His gaze roamed appreciatively over her. "I'd never have pegged you as an outdoor girl."
She shrugged. "What can I say? I adapt to any surroundings."
"Another thing to admire," he said out loud before he could stop himself.
She reached out and brushed his rear end with the palm of her hand. Once, twice, then she lingered, her fingertips squeezing his buttocks.
His groin hardened all over again, forcing him to grab her wrist. "If you don't stop now I'll never get back to the office."
She grinned. "Then it's a good thing you know where to find me tonight, isn't it?" she said in a sultry voice.
He swallowed hard. "I'm heading back to the lodge. Why don't you just take my car home? I'll get a ride"
"You sure?"
In reply, he reached into his pocket and handed her his keys.
She smiled. "Thanks."
He nodded. At least he'd have the walk back to the building to get his body back under control. Nothing else that Annabelle was doing to him would be that easily managed until she was gone from his house and his life. Of that, Vaughn was now certain.
ANXIOUS TO HEAR what the police had to say, Vaughn strode into the lodge office. The detective in charge of the investigation waited for him, drinking coffee courtesy of Mara and obviously flirting with her, though by her stiff posture and dismissive expression, she was definitely putting out signals that said don't mess with me. It looked like her interest in Nick was the real thing, Vaughn thought.
He walked up to the detective and extended his hand. "I didn't mean to keep you waiting," Vaughn said.
Detective Ross rose from his seat and grasped Vaughn's hand for a quick shake. "Not a problem. Your lovely assistant was keeping me company."
From behind his back, Mara rolled her eyes and stuck out her tongue.
Vaughn bit back a laugh. "Mara, why don't you take a break?" he suggested.