Ray Hoy - Jack Frost 01 - The Vegas Factor Read Online Free PDF Page A

was in order, he flopped in front of the fireplace with an exaggerated sigh of accomplishment.
    Felicia stood just inside the door, looking uncomfortable. I motioned toward my rocking chair. She sat down, hands in her lap, and looked at me with those big dark liquid eyes.  
    Suddenly I was at a loss for words. Finally I said, “I’ll fix some coffee,” and walked quickly into the kitchen.  
    While I clattered the coffee pot together, I shook my head in wonder at the way she made me feel like a flustered schoolboy. Me, a veteran womanizer who has never been in love—not even close—in my thirty-four years of whoring around.
    I finally got the coffee going and walked back into the living room. She still sat in the rocker, staring at the lifeless fireplace. I lit the gas log and threw some wood on the fire. The room immediately became a more cheerful place. Ripper rolled over on his side, and groaned. He stretched, his legs straight out, inches off the floor, pointing toward the fire. Then he relaxed, lowering his legs slowly to the rug. His chest rose and fell with even breathing.
    “Be careful around him,” I warned. “He’s arrogant, insolent and temperamental. And as the old joke goes, those are his good points.”
    “Ripper and I will get along just fine,” she said quietly.
    Relief flooded through me. She was actually engaging in a conversation.  
    “Well, I hope you’re right, but this dog was born with an innate sense of right and wrong—he’s right and everyone else is wrong. He doesn’t even like me.”  
    “He likes you,” she said.  
    “He does?”
    She looked around. “Where will I sleep, Jack?”
    I pointed toward the bedroom. “In there. I’ll sleep here, on the couch.”
    She stood and walked through the bedroom door. She stopped and looked around for a moment. “I’d like to take a bath and get unpacked.”
    “Sure thing.” I carried her bag into the bedroom and pointed toward a door, next to the bed. “Bathroom. You’ll find towels and everything else you need. Take as long as you want.”
    I left her standing there and walked back into the living room, closing the bedroom door behind me. I could hear the coffee perking. I strolled into the kitchen and turned off the gas under the percolator. I poured two cups and walked into the living room. I stood with my ear to the bedroom door for a moment, and heard nothing.
    “You okay?” I called out.
    “Yes,” came the muffled reply.
    “Would you like a cup of coffee?”
    “I’d prefer a glass of wine.”
    I stood there with coffee in each hand, my brain racing. Wine? Wine? Somewhere I must have an old bottle of wine stashed away . “I’ll see if I can scare one up,” I said.
    “If you can, bring it in please.”  
    I heard the sloshing of water as she moved in the tub. “How do you know you can trust me?”
    “Because Jilly said I could trust you.”
    “Well that is a miserable reputation to have!” I muttered. I sipped coffee from one cup as I walked into the kitchen. I poured the other one down the drain. Eventually I found a half bottle of Chablis. I poured a glass and carried it to the bedroom door and knocked. I could hear splashing.  
    “I’m coming in,” I said. “I’m coming in now.” I pushed the door open wider and entered the bedroom, then walked cautiously to the open bathroom door. “Again, I’m coming in, Felicia … okay?”
    I heard a small, amused laugh. “Yes, it’s okay, Jack.”  
    I entered, keeping my eyes averted, exaggerating the movement somewhat so she’d know I was trying to live up to my stellar reputation.
    One soapy hand reached out for the glass of wine, and I passed it over. “Thank you, Jack. I’ll be out in a few minutes.”
    I closed the bathroom door behind me, feeling jangled. I walked into the living room, and found myself looking around with a critical eye. “What a dump!” I said aloud.
    I’d never noticed the clutter before. This was the home of a man who clearly