Love Gone Wild: A Contemporary Romantic Comedy Read Online Free PDF Page B

a deep frown. "I could start anew, dawg."
    "I see boys like you every day, Tuesday. You think you got the world in your pocket, but all you got is trouble. You need more than a bad attitude to make it in life."
    "You're the one with a bad attitude," interjected Marissa.
    "You're unbelievably naïve. You can't walk around giving away money and spouting off moral platitudes."
    "I can, too." She crossed her arms.
    Dane opened his mouth then closed it. "We better get going before dumb and dumber wake up."
    "Where are we going?" asked Marissa.
    "The police station. Tuesday's going to turn himself in for petty larceny, then you and I are going to a hotel."
    Marissa's protest on Tuesday's behalf stilled in her throat. She looked at Dane. "A hotel? Really?"
    "Don't sound so hopeful. We're getting separate rooms, princess."
    "Honestly, Dane, you are so stubborn." She looked at Tuesday. "I don't want to press charges."
    "I do."
    "Your property wasn't stolen."
    "Do you want him to steal someone else's purse?"
    "No." Marissa looked at Tuesday. His casual stance and bored expression belied the vulnerable look in his dark eyes. He was just a boy. All he needed was a chance to prove his worthiness—to himself and to the world. "I want to hire him."
    "What?" said Dane and Tuesday at the same time.
    "I need an assistant."
    "To do what?" asked Dane.
    "Stuff." She paused. "He can keep track of the list. Run errands. Take notes of my adventures. Maybe I'll write a book."
    "This is a bad idea."
    Dane's cynical outlook needed an adjustment. Marissa looked at Tuesday. "Do you want the job? It's for a week and I'll pay you a thousand dollars."
    "A grand? To follow you around and scribble notes?" Tuesday frowned. "Why would you give me a job, lady? I stole from you."
    "Everyone deserves a second chance." She smiled. "You can change your life one choice at a time."
    Tuesday shook off Dane's grip, extended his arm, and shook Marissa's hand. "You got a deal, lady."
----
    D ANE SIGNED THE hotel's register, then handed Marissa a card key. "We're on the fifth floor."
    They got on the empty elevator. Dane leaned against the wall and studied Marissa. Purple shadows smudged the delicate skin under her eyes. She looked exhausted. She was so out of her element—just like Dorothy in the Land of Oz, only Marissa was a mix of all the characters who'd followed the yellow-brick road. Except the lion. Marissa had an annoying amount of courage.
    A loud ding announced their arrival on the fifth floor. Dane walked his charge to Room 506. "I'm across the hall in five-oh-seven. Don't leave your room. I'll knock on the door in the morning."
    "We're supposed to meet Tuesday at that café for breakfast."
    "Marissa—"
    "No more discussion. You argued with me all the way to the hotel and frankly, I'm tired of defending my actions. You don't have to like that I hired Tuesday, but you do have to accept it."
    "Right, Miss Vanderson. After all, I'm only an employee. I should just shut my mouth and do my job."
    "That would be marvelous." She slid the card through the slot and opened the door.
    "Wait just a damn minute." Dane tugged on her arm, stopping her on the threshold. "I'm trying to protect you. If you want me to protect you, you have to trust my judgment."
    "I trust you." A smiled curved her lips. "It's just that you're very good at talking and very bad at listening. Good night, Dane."
    The door clicked shut. He stared at the gold-painted numbers for a long moment, then turned and crossed the hall to his own room. Marissa wouldn't have to worry about his listening skills anymore.
    Tomorrow, he was quitting this insane job.
----
    S HE PRETENDED TO check for a hole in her stocking while the man stared at Marissa Vanderson's door and cursed a blue streak. She needn't have bothered with the distraction because he turned, stomped across the hall, opened then slammed his door. She straightened and walked to the end of the hall, inserted her hotel key, and went inside.
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