The Devil and Ms. Moody Read Online Free PDF Page B

released her and even took the time to straighten the collar of her blouse before she slapped his hand away.
    “The Warlords have a run down to Rosarita Beach planned, and I want to ride with them. Their rules say no old lady, no ride.”
    “Old lady ? You want me to be your old lady?” She shuddered delicately, almost unaware that her eyes had drifted from his face to the hair that curled in the opening of his vest. She caught herself following the dark diamond as it traveled down his body, a sensual directional signal for points south.
    “What does an old lady do exactly?” she asked, coloring as she turned away.
    “She rides with her old man, cooks for him, sleeps with him.”
    She turned back. “But you said—”
    “I know what I said. In your case, we’ll go for two out of three. You handle the riding and the cooking, and we’ll fake the rest.”
    “Fa—” She couldn’t get the word out. “Why don’t you just take me to the rodeo, and we can forget the rest?”
    “You’re missing my point, Princess. I want to ride with the Warlords, and you’re my ticket in. You want Holt, and I’m the only safe way you’re going to find him.”
    “But I can’t go to Rosarita Beach—wherever that is! I don’t have time! And what about the rodeo?”
    “The rodeo’s on the way. If you find Holt there, you’re free to go.”
    Edwina was instantly suspicious. He must want to get into the Warlords very badly if he was willing to use her as a decoy. “What’s so important about this Rosarita Beach run?”
    “I’ve got my reasons, you’ve got yours.” He exhaled, as though questioning the wisdom of their bargain. “Let’s get a couple of things straight. You don’t ask me questions, I don’t touch your body, and we’re both happy.”
    “I’d be free to pursue my investigation?”
    “As long as the Warlords don’t catch on. I wouldn’t flash that picture again if I were you. And no obvious questions.”
    Edwina turned to the window with a nervous sigh. Here we go again, she thought, the proverbial rock and a hard place. She’d been faced with several wrenching decisions in the last year, and she’d always chosen in favor of her family’s situation. However, this time her very life might be at stake. Certainly her virtue, such as it was.
    “The Warlords hit the road tomorrow morning,” he said. “How about an answer?”
    For all her ambivalence, there was only one answer. She massaged her taut neck muscles and turned to him slowly, aware more than ever of his advantages over her in size and physical strength. What did the Warlords call a man like him? A rogue biker? It seemed inconceivable to her that she was about to entrust herself to such a man, perhaps in ways that she couldn’t even imagine.
    “Looks like you’ve got yourself an old lady,” she said.
    She wasn’t sure what reaction she expected from him, but it wasn’t the skeptical once-over he gave her. He took in her blouse, slacks, even her penny loafers, with a slightly pained expression.
    “The outfit’s got to go,” he said.
    She glanced down at herself. “What’s wrong with my outfit?”
    “Nothing, if you’re a meter maid.”
    “Is that necessary?” Edwina jerked a wad of her own clothing from Diablo’s hand, threw it back in the suitcase, and slammed the suitcase lid, nearly catching his fingers.
    “If you want to ride with the Warlords, it is.” He flipped the lid open again and resumed rifling through her things. “There’s got to be something in here that’s female and sexy.”
    He pulled out a white-cotton top and smiled. “This might work. And these.” He tossed her the top and a pair of jeans. “Cut off the legs.”
    Edwina caught the clothing. “Hey! These are new jeans!”
    “Yeah, that’s a problem, but we’ll make do.” He looked her up and down, exhaled, and raked a hand through his long hair. “It’s going to take some imagination, turning you into a hot number. Make those cutoffs