* * *

HAT PULLED LOW, collar up, Rowdy Yates hung back in the shadows, shielded from the downpour by the slight overhang of the building across from the apartment complex. He chewed the end of a toothpick until there was nothing left of it.

What the hell was she thinking, fooling around with the new neighbor? She knew better, damn it.

Because he’d taught her better.

Having random, well-hidden cameras in the building hadn’t proved useful until now. Usually, she took no chances. He’d felt safe with the occasional contact, knowing Pepper could reach him in case of an emergency.

But ever since Logan Stark had moved in, he’d been more vigilant—mostly because Pepper had been different. It seemed that, despite all his precautions, she’d come to the end of her rope. He’d have to deal with that, with her—but first he’d deal with Logan Stark.

Down the street, somewhere in the darkness, a car alarm blared. Glass broke. Sirens split the night.

A streetlamp flickered back on, disturbing the concealing cocoon of the blackout, sending a river of light to shimmer across the washed-out roadway.

The woman on his arm shivered from the rain and pressed her heavy br**sts into his side. “It’s cold.”

“Not really.” He’d already forgotten her name but didn’t care. He wouldn’t see her again after tonight. Wrapping an arm around her, Rowdy asked, “Better?”

“Are we going in or not?”

“Yeah.” He could smell her perfume, felt the heat of her small body. He threw the toothpick away. “Remember, I’ve got an hour or less. That’s all.”

Running a hand down his chest and smiling, she said, “Sugar, that’s all the time I need.”

* * *

STILL CURLED IN HER BED, relaxed from a good night’s sleep, Pepper watched the sun begin filtering through the curtains. She had that type of lethargy that only came from sex.

She stretched, smiling, wondering what the coming day—and the night—might bring. More time with Logan? More sex? She hoped so.

Her cell phone rang.

She frowned toward it, but she knew it would be Rowdy, and she knew he’d be angry. Much as she wanted to keep reality at bay, she had to answer.

Rolling to the side of the bed, she snatched up the phone and pressed the button to accept the call. “You’re up early.”

“But you’re not?”

Smiling again, she fell to her back. “I slept in.” To daydream. To remember.

“We have to talk, Pepper.”

Uh-oh. Hearing Rowdy’s exasperation, she shook off her dreamy preoccupation. “What’s the matter?”

“You already know, so don’t play dumb.” And then, sharper, “What do you know about him?”

“He’s…harmless.” A neighbor, an oversexed guy willing to abide by her stipulations for a little fun in the sack. In other words…perfect.

“He’s working construction.”

Shrugging to herself, she said, “He told me.”

“But you didn’t know it, not until I checked.”

She looked at the clock. It was after ten. “Is that where he’s at now?”

“Yeah.”

“And you figure it’s legitimate?”

“Since he just shot a nail through his hand, I’d say so.”

She bolted upright in the bed. “Is he okay?”

Rowdy fell silent.

“Is he?”

“You care about him,” Rowdy accused.

“I barely know him.” Not a lie; but she knew him better than she knew most people.

Because she’d gotten intimate with him. A strange sort of intimacy, but still…

“He got sloppy with the nail gun, but I’m sure it’s not a big deal.”

Only another guy would think that. “Did he go to the hospital?”

“No. A few of the other guys patched him up.”

Her anxiety lifted. It must not have been too awful. “So you’re convinced he’s on the level?”

“Hell, no. You shouldn’t see him again.”

But she would. “Why not?”

“You know why.” Disgust mixed with anger in his tone. “Think about it, Pepper. What does he really want from you?”

Sex. “I don’t know.” And dinner. And…conversation? She shook her head. “Maybe he just wants to know a friendly face here.”

With silky menace, Rowdy asked, “And have you been friendly?”

Oops. Bad wording on her part. “Not exactly.” She propped her back against the headboard. Anxious to get off the topic, she said, “So you only called to caution me?”

“To warn you. You’re playing a dangerous game.”

She didn’t ask her brother if he’d been celibate; she knew the answer already. Double standards always annoyed her. “Duly noted. Now I need to go. I have to see how much damage the storm did to your building.”

“Wait.”

Pepper could almost picture him grinding his teeth, and she smiled. “Yes, Rowdy?”

A beat of silence, and then: “Until I get a chance to do a more thorough check on him, keep him out of your apartment.”

Her lips compressed. Rowdy had gotten awfully good at giving her orders—and expecting them to be obeyed. “Fine.” She wondered if Logan had been sent home from work but didn’t dare ask Rowdy. He was surly enough already. It never paid for her to tweak his temper. “Let me know if you find out anything more.”