Out of Control Read Online Free PDF Page B

I’d have thought. More than
     anything, I hate the idea of being a victim, so I take all the blame, which isn’t
     right either. The whole thing sucks, and it’s just easier to ignore it.”
    “Is this the first time you’ve seen him since he left?”
    “Very first. He disappeared like a cockroach.” I looked across the distance toward
     A.J. “He knows exactly zero about the oil business, which means he’s up to something.
     No way he’d have the nuts to take a guy’s money to drill oil wells if he wasn’t certain
     to come out with a lot of cash. This well struck a producing zone, but I’m betting
     it was dumb luck and he’s got a string of dry holes that led up to it.” Turning back
     to Robichaud, I noticed he was standing even closer. “But I don’t really care. All
     I’m concerned with is making sure our company gets paid.”
    “I’d say you’re right to be worried.”
    “You’re stepping on my toe.”
    “Sorry.” His boot didn’t move.
    “I don’t think protecting me involves invading my personal space and mauling my toe.”
    “It doesn’t.”
    “Then why are you close enough to perform eye surgery?”
    “Maybe because you smell so good. I really hate the smell of oil fires.” He inhaled
     deeply. “Nice perfume.”
    I blinked. “Look, Robichaud, you can’t seriously think anything’s going to happen
     between us. I don’t even like you.”
    “Because I’m a conceited jackass.”
    “Pretty much, yeah.” I was frankly astonished at him. He didn’t look the slightest
     bit offended. “Do you always come on to coworkers?”
    “Do you always assume someone’s coming on to you just because they compliment your
     perfume?” His eyes were dark enough to be black.
    “Only when they’re in my face when they do it.”
    He backed off, but not much. “Granted, I’m lousy at anything romantic, but I know
     enough to see when a woman’s interested.”
    “And you think I am?”
    “Definitely. But you won’t admit it because you’re more competitive than interested.
     You’re not about to give me any slack.”
    I considered. “Well…I do think you’re good looking.”
    He frowned again. “Is that all?”
    “That’s all.” I sighed, watching A.J. come toward us. “You should be grateful. I can
     be the best friend you’ll ever have, but trust me, I’m lousy at relationships.”
    “Whatever you had with that jerk isn’t any indication of what you’re capable of.”
    I looked up at him and shrugged. “It wasn’t just him. He was only the beginning. Every
     guy I get involved with ends up ditching me. I’m just not cut out.”
    “Maybe it’s the job.”
    “Could be. I’m almost never home.”
    He leaned close. “I bet you scare the tee-total shit outta most guys.”
    I raised a brow. “You don’t look scared.”
    “I’m not scared of much, but for damn sure I’m not scared of you.”
    “You should be,” A.J. muttered as he came to stand next to us. “She’s a ball-buster.”
    I wanted to hate A.J. Probably should have. But all I could muster for him was profound
     disgust. And maybe a little nausea. I’d actually slept with the toad. Looking at him,
     I came back with, “Not including yourself, of course. Hard to bust a guy’s balls when
     he doesn’t have any.”
    Robichaud cleared his throat, though I could swear I heard a hint of amusement behind
     the gruff. “This’ll go a lot easier, and faster, if you two would lay off swapping
     insults.”
    “Fine.” I focused on A.J. “Is he coming with a check?”
    “His son, Dylan, is staying in Iraan and will be here within half an hour.”
    “His son? What’s up, A.J.? Did you start playing for the other team?”
    “My business relationship with Hoyt Sharpe is based on mutual respect and has nothing
     to do with his offspring.”
    Right.
    I started to make a comment, but caught Robichaud’s expression and decided to skip
     it. Instead, I asked A.J. about the well specs. As I suspected, he