Lucky Girl (Lucky Alphas Book 2)
By: Mallory CroweHarper opened her mouth and abruptly slammed it shut. She pointed an accusing finger at him. “You’re trying to piss me off. I thought you were trying to play nice.”
“I want to get this job over with. And as of right now, we’re still not looking. So do you want to go first or should I?”
“Fine. If you want to get to work so badly, let’s go.”
Lucas shrugged and started into the woods. There was a clear path to walk through, so he didn’t have to worry too much about this being a strenuous hike. Besides, whoever was planting these boxes obviously wanted them to be found. They wouldn’t go too far off the beaten path, literally.
“So you still have money trouble?” asked Harper as the leaves crunched beneath her feet.
“Do we really want to get personal here?”
“I like to understand a person’s motives. Especially you coming out here and helping a man who very might well be a murderer. If you understand a person’s motives, you understand them and can better predict their behavior.”
“I’m not a suspect for you to analyze.”
“And I’m not a detective who thinks of people in terms of suspects. I locate hard-to-find people for a living. I take apart their lives, analyze every bit of information I can get my hands on, and then I figure out where they are.”
“So like a less gritty private detective. Or should I say, an easier private detective.”
“You just go ahead and think that,” she muttered.
He could tell he’d gotten to her even though she was trying to keep her cool.
But Harper wasn’t the only one trying to drum up some information. He had her alone for at least a little bit, so he might as well make the best of it. “So, have you seen your parents while you’re here?”
She stopped in her tracks and turned around to face him. “Excuse me?”
“You know, your parents. You were born here, weren’t you? And from my research you ordered me to do, I know your parents are both alive and local. Did you even take a moment to visit them?”
“I think that clearly falls in the category of shit that’s not your business,” she said.
“All right, I see. That’s a touchy subject for you. Definitely gives me some insight into your motives.”
Harper set a hand on her hip. “What exactly is that supposed to mean?”
“Aren’t you the one who explained it? Understand a person’s motives, and you understand them.”
“Please don’t try to psychoanalyze me.”
“Aw, come on. Do you want us to walk in silence this whole time?”
“Maybe. Besides, there’s a thing called small talk. Why can’t we just shoot the shit like normal people?”
“Normal people don’t shoot the shit. Normal people psychoanalyze each other all the time. You just get lulled in by the false sense of security that small talk gives you and let down your guard. I’m respecting you enough not to trick you like that.”
She let out a little snort. “What a gentleman. I can only imagine how nice you are on your many dates. I bet you always hold the door open for women and pull their chair out even as you’re trying to figure out if they’re going to let you up their skirts that night.”
“Oh no, I do my research ahead of time. Before I even go on a date, I know they’re going to lift up their skirts for me.”
From behind, he could see her shake her head in exasperation. “Are there really that many gullible women around for you to prey on?”
“Hey, hey, hey. You’re acting like they’re not getting anything out of being with me. I know how to show a girl a good time.”
“That’s what they all say.”
“Maybe, but I’ve got the burst eardrums, scratched back, and bite marks to prove it.”
Harper stopped and looked over her shoulder at him. “Does it bring you joy to know that you’re such a man whore?”
“I don’t think joy is the right word. Pleasure is definitely the right word. Besides, you can’t tell me that a girl as cute as you doesn’t date.”
“No, no, no, no, no. Don’t you turn this around on me and start flirting. I am not susceptible to your charms like the women you usually sleep with.”
