“Oh.” I stared, wordlessly as aggravation clawed through my skin. Why hadn’t she told us? “A tryst with security. That isn’t unheard of.”
“Yeah, but she also told me that Johnny likes to kiss everyone.”
“Good thing we got rid of him before the scumbag tried to kiss one of us. We would have shot him.”
Cassandra shrugged with an evil grin. “Speak for yourself. It’s been a long time since I’ve been kissed and desired.”
I couldn’t say the same thing. I could still taste Max on my lips. Still remember his fingers as they touched me. Heat claimed my cheeks, and I turned before Cassandra realized I, too, had a secret. A secret that, if not kept in check, would be grounds to be thrown off this case. It would make me a liability.
I had a fitful night’s sleep filled with a dream that turned into a nightmare. Max and I were on a date and getting pretty cozy one minute, and in the next, it had ended in bloodshed. I’d woken in sweat-soaked sheets, trying to calm my racing heart.
I showered away the memories and dressed for the day, quietly slipping down the stairs, hoping no one would hear me. Carter was in the kitchen talking to Chef Robin, probably planning the dinner menu. Max’s and Petunia’s laughter drifted into the foyer as I eased the front door closed behind me.
Cassandra was sitting on the steps. “Trying to sneak out, huh?”
Heat crept to my cheeks again. “You caught me. I wanted to get a head start. I have to switch vehicles with Faith.”
Cassandra raised a single brow. “I need to ask you something serious.”
I paused. “Uh, okay.”
“Which brother do you like?”
“Psst. Neither.” I gawked. “You know our motto. We don’t screw clients.”
She gave a slow nod of the head. “Then you wouldn’t mind if I made a play for Max? When this is all done of course.”
“Why would I care?” I asked, jogging down the steps.
She jumped from her seat and jogged to catch up to me. “You just balled your fist.”
“What? I did not.”
Cassandra jogged in front of me, blocking my path. “It’s your tell sign. You flex your fingers when you’re working through something, and you make a fist when you’re angry. I think it’s a subconscious movement.”
“What do I have to be mad about, and what do I care if you go after either of them? The only thing that would piss me off is if you do it before we catch this stalker.” Like I had. I couldn’t believe that I’d screwed up so royally.
“You like Max,” she teased. “I’ve never seen you this defensive. You’re normally straight-faced while on a job. See?” She pointed to my clenched fist.
“You have a little girl to watch, and I have people to question. This conversation will have to wait,Dr. Phil.”
“You almost made it,” Cassandra leaned in and whispered before gesturing behind me.
I spun to find Max heading our way. “Cassandra, Petunia is done with breakfast.”
I rolled my eyes and headed for Faith’s heap of junk. Max followed. “I think we need to clear the air, Gwen.”
“Nothing to clear, Counselor. We shared a moment of weakness. I’d like to forget it happened.”
“I don’t,” Max opened the truck door. “Actually, just the opposite. I plan to seduce you with every breath in my body, but I’ll respect your need to find the stalker to protect my family. That just makes me want you more.”
“This isn’t a game,” I said, sliding into the truck. I rolled down the window before shoving the key into the ignition. “If I lose focus, it’s not going to be good for anyone.”
He handed me a brown paper bag through the window opening.
“What is this?”
“Just some light reading for your downtime.” He grinned. “You do remember everything you read and see right?”
“That is part of my charm,” I said, peeking into the bag. Two books lay inside. One was theKama Sutra, and the other wasDating 101. “What is this, your version of foreplay?”
“It’s a peek at what’s to come, Gwen.” Max chuckled as he walked away.
