Page 5 of Collateral Damage

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WHAT IN THE hell washe doing?

“Youhadto come here tonight?” Wade let his finger stroke a little farther, sliding over the softest skin he’d ever felt. “Notwantedto?”

The gorgeous woman claiming to be named Carly stared down at where he touched her. “I don’t really go out much.”

She might have lied about her name, but she was definitely telling the truth about that.

He’d watched her since she came into the bar where he was trying to kill the last night he would be spending in Wayfield, Oregon. She barely said ten words to the people at the table around her, but he could guarantee she heard everything that was said. Saw every expression and picked it apart, reading people who had no clue she could see so much.

Maybe that’s why he couldn’t stop himself when the opportunity to talk to her fell into his lap.

“Me either.” Wade bit off the urge to tell her more. Give this woman explanations he could never give anyone. And never wanted to.

Not until this very minute.

It’s why he should leave. Thank her for the conversation, and walk away.

Because this woman was dangerous.

“Really?” She didn’t even try to hide her skepticism. “I’m not sure I believe you.”

She probably shouldn’t. Not at all.

But like her, this time he was telling the truth.

“I work a lot and I also don’t take too much time off.” Wade sipped at the beer he had no intention of finishing. Keeping a clear head was imperative in his line of work.

Not that he was doing much working at this minute. His actions right now might actually be the exact opposite of work, because talking to this woman was too easy. Too natural.

“I like working.” She seemed defensive. As if he might judge her for taking her career seriously.

If only she knew.

“So do I.” It was a reminder he needed desperately in this minute, because Wade was dangerously close to forgetting the reality of the life he chose.

One that prevented him from giving this woman all she probably deserved.