If she thought that would turn me away, she was mistaken. I wanted more of it. I leaned against the counter, reached for the cup of coffee she made for me. "If I go to my insurance, my bike will be fixed." "But you're going to have to cough up your deductible—" "I can pay for my deductible easily. And I can bring it to the mechanic who's been servicing my motorcycle for years. Why should I go to a shop that I have no idea if they'll do a good job or not?" If looks could kill, I'd be decapitated by now. "Have you heard of subrogation? My insurance will go after your brother. It's also a hit and run. The police will be very interested." I gave her a moment to absorb that. Then I said, "So now that we know where we both stand, let's make a deal." I took a sip, and very nearly choked. It was too strong. When I saw her face, I knew that she deliberately made it undrinkable. This girl would cut me down to my knees without batting an eye. Why did that excite me? Damn. I'm in trouble. "First, tell me why you're doing this for your brother." She crossed her arms in front of her. "I don't need to tell you díck." My mouth twitched. "Tell me why the hell isn't he owning up and paying for his mistake?" "You're not going after him for this. If you do, I'll castrate you." "You like giving out threats, don't you?" "I like putting them in action too. Try me and you'll find out." "Oh, I think I want to. I'm looking forward to it." To prove it, I took another sip of her coffee without breaking eye contact with her. "Tell me where he is." "I won't let you—" "I'm not going to hurt him. Don't you think he owes me an apology? Or do you think that's too much to ask?" She opened her mouth, closed it. Sighed. "No," she said, capitulating. "It's not too much to ask. He went fishing with my dad." "So..." I looked at her lips. Her bottom lip was fuller than the top. I moved my gaze up and met hers. "You're alone with me." She narrowed her eyes. "Yeah. And no one would know who murdered you when I hide your body in the shed." I paused, and threw my head back laughing. "I like you," I said. "Listen, I don't go out with guys. Ever." I paused. "Girls?" "Sadly, no." "Never had a boyfriend?" "Never met anyone who measured up." "To what?" "My standards." "Tell me what they are." "You're playing with me." "Am I?" She let out a huff and pushed me away so she could walk to the living room. "Let's talk about this deal so you can leave. I have a very busy day." "Sure." I poured the coffee in the sink and rinsed it before following her in the living room. I sprawled on the couch. "That's my dad's bed. Feel free to soil it or anything." The house looked like it had two bedrooms and a bathroom. The two rooms must be for her and her brother's. "I like sleeping on the couch too," I said. I stopped for a moment. I didn't mean to tell her that. She gave me a bland look. "What's the deal?" I looked at her directly in the eye. "Give me a ride." She blinked slowly. "Come again?" "Until my motorcycle is finished to my satisfaction, you're going to drive me around to where I needed to be. Not your brother. Not your best friend. You." "Are you cuckoo? What, do you think I have all the time in the world?" "Since I saw you trying to break into my house last night, I'm going to have to say yes." "You have a mint BMW in your driveway!" "That's not mine." "You can get a rental!" "Are you paying for it?" "This is blackmail." "You make it so easy. Rule number one: don't expose your weakness to the enemy." "Are you my enemy?" "Wanna find out?" I stood up, walked toward her. She stood her ground. Unflinchingly. "If I do this, you'd let my shop fix your motorcycle. You won't file a claim with your insurance." "Yeah." I want to know what your lips taste like. "No accessories," she added. What they feel like. "And no maintenance," she finished. She'd drive me to bankruptcy if she could. And laughing while at it. "That's not part of the deal." Before she could open her mouth to protest, I added, "But you can get out of it. Easily." "Why don't you tell me how, oh wise one?" I rubbed the stubble on my jaw. It was getting itchy. Time for a shave. I put on my shoes, opened the door. Tossed her my keys. "I'll let you know."