"Connie said you were coming over to get the bills this evening. It's a good thing I decided to come here first instead of go home." He pulled her into his arms. "Are you sure you're alright?"
No, she wasn't sure, but that didn't seem to matter. His body was the nearest available leaning post, so she helped herself, burying her face in his chest. If he hadn't come along, she'd probably be dead, and yet, he had done nothing to assist after Allen left. Maybe he didn't know what to do, or that she needed help. She lifted her head to ask him why Allen was asking questions about Yancey. Before she could get a word out, Howard covered her mouth with his. His kiss was more than friendly. It was the passion of full arousal.
Jerking away from him, she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. "What are you doing?" Her voice was still a rasp.
He reached for her, his expression pure desire. "Lisa." His voice was as grainy as hers.
"Leave me alone!" The words forced through her vocal chords sounded louder, but still hoarse. She backed up a few steps. The realization came slow and late, but clear. Everyone was right about Howard.
"Not you, Howard," she said, her eyes burning with tears. "I thought I could trust you." The tears spilled from her eyes and ran down her cheeks. "You sent him."
"I didn't send him." He stepped back and raised his hands. "I swear."
"Then how did he know I was here?"
"I don't know."
"But you sent him to get information about Yancey, didn't you?"
He eyed her warily. "It isn't what it looks like. He was only supposed to be investigating him."
"Why?"
He blinked with surprise. "Because you told me to, remember?"
Wiping tears from her eyes with her hand, she failed to suppress a sob. "I didn't tell you to send Allen. I asked Connie if you could . . ." She stopped, realizing she had been the instigator of this. "You must have known what Allen would do to me if he caught me alone."
His face colored. "I didn't have any idea he'd do this to you. I never instructed him to ask you anything."
That might be true, but none of it explained his kiss. And then it finally sank in. He wasn't trying to find out anything to protect her. He was trying to find incriminating evidence on Yancey. She had provided all the information he needed through Connie.