Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 72715 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 364(@200wpm)___ 291(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72715 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 364(@200wpm)___ 291(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
He’d been standing at the crime scene watching Forensics work. If he wasn’t good friends with the guys on duty he’d have been tossed out on his ass, but they’d let him stay as they picked through the remnants of a romantic dinner gone wrong. Yet, instead of focusing on details, Jake had been thinking of Brianne.
When he’d seen the half-empty glasses of wine, he’d envisioned her taking a seductive sip, licking the fruity liquid off her lips and letting him taste it on her tongue. And when he’d gotten a glimpse of the leftovers from dinner, he’d been remembering Brianne’s nearly orgasmic groans of satisfaction while eating a simple slice of pizza. He’d been so wrapped up in memories and what could be that he’d nearly missed an important piece of evidence, one the detectives hadn’t gotten to yet.
Wrappers from a place called The Eclectic Eatery, the sister restaurant to a place that originally had opened in the Village, had littered the table. Nothing unusual about take-out garbage from the newest trendy hot spot frequented by grad students, Jake thought. But beside them lay what looked like dinner mints—colored candy-like mints that probably weren’t—lying out in plain sight. But there was no proof the goods came from The Eclectic Eatery.
Seconds after Jake pointed out the scattered pieces, the gloved Forensics guys had bagged the candy or pills or whatever the hell they were. But one of the tablets had a designer signature similar to the one Ramirez used on his goods. Thanks to Louis’s overblown ego, he’d overestimated his own intelligence and had had a stamp made that identified his goods instead of using the generic labels other dealers relied upon. Jake had had no doubt the scum would get back into business. He’d just figured the guy would be smart enough to change his M.O.
Exactly the argument Duke was using. He believed it was a copycat looking to cash in on Ramirez’s clientele. But Jake just knew the goods came from Louis. The man’s arrogance would eventually do him in, and this was just the beginning. At least now they had a lead. Jake could watch The Eclectic Eatery and see if Ramirez showed his face, find out if the new restaurant was a front for selling drugs. It was a lead Jake might never have found if his head had remained in the clouds, fantasizing about Brianne. True, Forensics would probably have uncovered the pills, but Jake had seen them first. He needed to remember that his job ought to come first as well.
Unfortunately, Jake knew exactly where his lack of concentration came from. He was obsessed with a woman he’d promised would remain forbidden. But with thoughts of her distracting him and jeopardizing his case, he could no longer tell himself an affair would only get in the way. In fact, an affair, the last thing he’d thought he wanted, might be the only solution, the only means to get Brianne out of his system once and for all and clear his head for the job at hand. Back-assed reasoning, he knew. But a possible solution, nonetheless.
And there was another upside to an affair with Brianne. He could keep an eye on her better and know her whereabouts easier if they were indulging in an intimate relationship. Ramirez demanded his full concentration, and if he wasn’t distracted by what-if thoughts of Brianne, Jake could give the case his all.
He could give Brianne his all at the same time. Frank’s death had driven home how short life was. The time he’d wasted avoiding Brianne at the café could have been better spent acting on his desire. It wasn’t too late. If Brianne agreed with his reasoning, the Ramirez case would build toward completion at the same time that his obsession with Brianne began to fade. Both would end and he’d walk away at the end of the summer. Toward what, though, he didn’t yet know.
But would she agree? The way she’d melted in his arms told him her desire flared as quickly and as hot as his, but she’d backed off just as fast. With a little luck and persuasion he could convince her to indulge in a summer fling. He had to. His sanity depended on it.
When he returned to the penthouse, he wasn’t surprised to find the living room and kitchen dark, but he was disappointed, nonetheless. Even Norton didn’t bound out to meet him, and Jake figured the dog was in Brianne’s bed—exactly where he wanted to be. How much more pathetic could things get? he wondered, stifling a wry laugh.
But as he made his way to his room, he discovered the lights on in the gym. Jake peered inside. Brianne had obviously just finished a workout and stood wiping down her arms, neck and forehead. True to form, Norton had settled in a corner, content to alternately sleep and watch Brianne—something Jake could relate to. Except that when he looked at Brianne, sleep was the last thing on his mind. Tight black leggings encased her long legs and a brief exercise top covered her chest, ending just below her full breasts, exposing peaked nipples, a flat belly and pale skin.