Chapter 3: Into Enemy Territory
Sam pulled up to the far end of the long driveway and stopped. He sat and stared at the house for a long time. It was a very big, sleek, modern monstrosity. An impressive house, with an impressive view, in an impressive neighborhood. He wondered what gruesome crime had taken place there to bring the price into Callaghan's range. A shiver of distaste ran down his spine.
He did NOT want to be here, and the thought of Andy caged in this glass and steel palace with the ravine as moat cutting her off from the rest of the world made the hangover nausea return with a vengeance. He'd rushed over much sooner than he'd promised, unable to take time to nurse his headache before reacting to the panic in her voice. Something else was wrong, and he was going to find out what it was. As usual, when she had a crisis, he came running. But nothing in this world was going to make him walk into that house.
He sighed and picked up his phone instead. "McNally, I'm here. Now where the hell is your problem car anyway?" Sam grouched.
"Oh, wow. You're early. OK, well, it's in the garage. But I'm…can you give me a minute? I.."
"NO McNally, I want to get this over with. Open the garage door and get down here with the keys."
"But Sam, I'm not…"
"NOW, OK? Or I'm outta here," he groaned.
"Fine, but I tried to warn you," she snapped.
The garage door opened, and McNally stalked out keys extended. Embarrassment warred with irritation on her expressive face. But Sam's eyes bugged out taking in her attire: skin tight tank without a bra and tiny boyshort underwear.
"What? I didn't think you'd be here for at least another half hour. I didn't sleep a wink last night, so I was doing some yoga before I got dressed to try to ease the tension," she said defensively. "Will you stop staring, please?" she huffed.
"Well, geez, McNally, it's kind of hard not to react to a curve ball like that this time in the morning. I'm not fully functioning yet, you know. And your welcome, by the way," he said defensively reaching for the keys. "Look, would you please try not to make being here worse? Just scram and make me some coffee, OK?" he said in a gruff but softer voice, stripping off his shirt before pivoting to pop the hood of the car and take a look.
When he didn't hear any movement, he straightened and turned around, catching the desire in her eyes. He flashed her a lopsided grin and teased, "Who's staring now, McNally? Am I ever going to get some coffee out of you, or are you just planning to stand there eying my ass all day?" he taunted.
Even though that jibe caused her to spin and stalk away without a word, he suddenly felt much better. It was the first time she'd slipped and allowed any frank sexual interest in him to show for a long time. And since her back was turned, he took his turn staring openly and appreciatively at her very shapely body until she disappeared into the house.
Callaghan's house, he reminded himself. You've got to find out what's been going on and convince her to get out of this place before you can make any kind of move, he reminded himself sternly. He sighed, this was probably just going to be a long, frustrating day after all.
