All the damn people he employed and he was the one sitting in his car in front of her house. And judging from the way she slammed the car door as she got out she was seriously pissed off about it. Not that he could blame her. Hopefully the past few hours had cooled her off. Sitting here, cooling his heels pulled ghosts from his past he’d rather forget. Not true, forgetting would be a bad idea. He should remember Mysteri and all the pain she caused. He should remember and not make the same damn mistake of falling for a damned damsel in distress again. God, Mysteri hated that he thought of her that way. Candy was sweeter, softer. Fuck, she was an even bigger trap. A knock on his window jolted him out of his thoughts. He hoped his smile didn’t add fuel to the fire, or maybe he did.

“I don’t suppose you’ve had anything to eat? I won’t be blamed for you starving out here.” He chewed his lip to keep the smile from getting any bigger. She may not want him here but she was willing to feed him. Bet she fed strays too.

“I’ve gone longer without eating but thanks for the dinner.” She handed him a warm plate with meatloaf, potatoes sautéed in butter, and some green beans. None of it was fancy but he hadn’t had a meal cooked by someone outside of a restaurant in forever. And the smell of it made his mouth water, that was why he was nearly drooling, not the saucy woman waiting on him. When he put the plate on the center console she gave him silverware wrapped in a napkin and a can of soda.

“None of this means I’m any happier about what you are doing.”

“Duly noted. I swear I won’t bother you.”

“Do you do this for all your new hires?”

“No, just the stubborn ones who live in dangerous neighborhoods.”

“Aren’t you in more danger sitting out here? Should you come inside or something?”

“I think it is safer if I stay out here.” A whole lot safer for her anyway. Pulling her down on top of him had been impulsive, if effective. He damn near thought he’d die when she started wiggling around in his lap. Fifteen seconds of the sweetest torture he could remember.

“You’re really going to stay here all night?”

“If I think it’s warranted.”

“You are insane.”

“Strange as this may sound, you aren’t the first woman to tell me that.” She was shaking her head but she was smiling now. He considered each one a personal victory when he could get her to do it.

“I’ll be back in a bit to get the plate and silverware. It is liable to be cold out here.”

“I’ve done stakeouts before.”

“I didn’t commit any crime.”

“The end result’s the same.”

She actually growled at him. He had to cover his laugh with a cough but she’d turned on her heel and headed back to the house.