Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 102071 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 510(@200wpm)___ 408(@250wpm)___ 340(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102071 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 510(@200wpm)___ 408(@250wpm)___ 340(@300wpm)
He folded his arms across his chest. “But if the guy is being unethical and does hurt you in any way, you come tell me about it. Got that?”
I laughed at his tough guy act. It was good advice, but in the end, this was a mystery I’d have to unwrap solo.
I finished straightening, grabbed my stuff, and headed to my Jeep, still noodling on those messy details.
Jake was a professional. Leaving the safe open was an amateur move. Smarter to close it and put off my finding it empty for as long as possible. And I knew Jake wasn’t sloppy. The man had amazing follow-through, both on the job and in bed.
On the other hand, he’d been in my room all night. He knew how to break into a safe. Maybe he’d left the door open to make it seem like someone else, someone less experienced, had stolen the jewel?
I burned with frustration.
Jake was wily. Devon’s advice was good, but being direct with Jake would only alert him to the fact that I suspected him and give him a chance to backpedal.
So I’d have to be wilier.
I wouldn’t let on that I suspected he was a thief, or that I even knew the diamond was missing. I’d play it…friendly. I’d play it flirty. I’d be all island tryst-y.
Then, I’d watch his reactions.
Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.
I wasn’t sure which of those Jake was, but oh yeah, I could keep him close.
34
IS THAT A DIAMOND IN YOUR POCKET…?
Jake
She looked good.
But then, that seemed to be her specialty.
Wearing a turquoise sundress that hugged her curves, she walked down the block toward me. With her looking so carefree, all I could think about was smothering her in kisses. Cupping her face in my hands, lacing my fingers through that blonde hair.
All these desires were annoyingly distracting.
We had business to do. Catered lunch to order. A mission to accomplish.
I’d chosen a spot outside at a café a few blocks away from the gallery. A Frommer’s guidebook lay open on the table, announcing “tourist” as much as my tropical shirt.
When Ruby reached the table, she shot me a scorching, sultry stare. An hour ago, I’d wanted nothing more than to be done with this job, but that heated look changed my mind. Let the case drag on. Let the diamonds go unfound for a few more days. I wanted time with her. To get to know her better, her body and her mind.
But the voices of reason and experience told me the longer this dragged out, the greater the risk of disaster—in more than just the job. Only, I wasn’t thinking with reason right now. I wasn’t thinking at all, only feeling how much I longed for this woman.
“Hey there, sweetheart,” I said, my voice dry and husky.
“Flattery will get you everywhere,” she said with a wink.
Then she parked herself on my lap and threw her arms around me.
Whoa. That was a surprise. She’d never struck me as a sit-in-my-lap kind of woman.
“Good to see you too,” I said with a chuckle.
She clasped my face in her hands and purred. “I missed you this morning.” Her voice became a feathery whisper in my ear. “I can’t wait to have you again.”
Oh, Lord.
The woman did not play fair.
My dick shot straight up, and I was grateful she was on my lap, covering my hard-on. Even more grateful that she claimed my mouth in a heady kiss. Her taste was so damn sweet. I swallowed a groan of pleasure that could have been grounds to lock me up for indecency.
We had work to do.
But I’d have to be a fool to turn down a kiss like this.
My brain went hazy as I kissed her deeper. All thoughts of work, and tutors, and summer school, and responsibility surrendered in the caress of her lips. She kissed like a dream, and I could get lost in the spell of this sweet, feisty, fiery woman.
I did, for a minute or two, her hot kisses blurring out the world.
But a clock ticked loudly in the back of my mind. As much as it pained me, I broke off the kiss.
“One,” I said, holding up a finger, “that was epic. Two, I want more. Three, I’ve been thinking about you all morning.”
“I’ve been thinking of you too.” She ran her fingers along the front of my shirt and smiled, a grin that spread over her face and up to her eyes. She was happy. Wildly happy, and it was infectious.
“You’re festive today.”
She shrugged coyly, brushing a finger along my jaw. “I guess good sex has that effect,” she said, pursing her lips playfully.
“Just good sex?” I asked, matching her playful tone.
“Great sex,” she corrected, then nibbled on the corner of her lips.
If we were playing a game, she’d won. I let out a shuddering breath. “Agreed. But I work better when I can think of things other than fucking you.”