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)
Brianne glanced out the window, her thoughts on exactly what her friend had alluded to—making love with Jake. “Did I tell you the place where I’m staying has a private rooftop whirlpool?” She took a sip of the frothy, cold drink, hoping to douse the flame of desire.
“No, but wow. You are in for one awesome summer,” her friend said.
“Mmm.” One group of people, then another, walked past the window. Apparently lunchtime had come for the working people of New York, Brianne thought idly. But she wasn’t paying much attention—her thoughts were on herself and Jake on that rooftop.
Suddenly a figure caught her attention, then just as quickly slipped out of sight behind some people exiting a building across the street. The figure wasn’t too familiar, since she’d only seen the man once before. It had been this morning, after she’d walked out of Victoria’s Secret. He’d been the leering one—the one whose gaze had lingered too long, as if he could see through her clothing to the new underwear she was wearing beneath. She’d brushed it off earlier, but what were the chances of her seeing him twice in one day?
A shudder of uncomfortable awareness and revulsion rippled through her.
“What’s wrong?” Kellie asked, following Brianne’s line of vision outside.
“Did you…” Brianne started to ask her friend, then stopped. What was she going to say? Did you see that guy twice today? And if she had, so what? Victoria’s Secret was only a block or two from here. The fact that someone had seen Brianne two times that morning didn’t make him someone to watch out for.
She shook her head and laughed. “Forget it.” Shadowy figures and fear. Brianne had to admit she rarely suffered from anxiety anymore, but sometimes it appeared in ridiculous ways. Her parents had died in a risky situation, a violent storm, but they’d always indulged in some situation or other that put her nerves on edge. She was so unlike her parents, she’d have thought she was adopted if she didn’t know differently.
But she was their child and sometimes, as a result, her anxieties resurfaced. “Free-floating anxiety,” an analyst she’d seen at the hospital had explained to her. Amorphous anxiety with no basis in the factual situation going on around her now. So what if she’d seen a man twice? That didn’t make him a stalker.
“Are you sure nothing’s wrong?”
Brianne nodded. “Absolutely. Now, what were you saying?” Shaking off the feeling completely wasn’t easy, but with even breathing and a change of subject, Brianne was able to at least feel some semblance of control over her feelings. And that was enough to steady her.
Kellie shrugged. “I said you’d also mentioned a mirrored exercise room in the penthouse. I think you’re set, Brianne. You’ve got all you need for a darn good summer. All you need to do is let yourself go.”
She inhaled deeply. All you need to do. As if it were so simple, when she’d been single-mindedly focused on her job and her brother for so long. Buying the sexy garments wasn’t the same as actually wearing them. She knew that now. And buying the revealing underwear definitely wasn’t the same as having Jake see her in them. She thought of Kellie’s words again. Let yourself go. Yes, it was time to concentrate on her needs for a change.
Her needs and Jake’s. That was all she needed to do.
* * *
She’d seen him, Louis thought. She’d looked into his eyes and known he’d been admiring her. How could he not appreciate a babe who was into sexy duds? How could he not consider the possibility of screwing such a hot creature—and screwing Lowell at the same time?
Now, that he couldn’t resist. He took a drag, then ground the butt on the pavement with his heel. He didn’t think she’d noticed him when he’d walked past the coffee place, but he’d have to be more careful next time. And there would be a next time. Because Lowell had been snooping around, asking questions again. Louis had known within minutes, something Lowell probably knew would happen.
Cat and mouse, Louis thought. So let the games begin. And those games both started and ended with Brianne Nelson. Detective Lowell’s woman…but not for much longer.
Chapter Six
Jake hadn’t done surveillance detail in too long. After an afternoon watching a gourmet shop with nothing to show for his effort, he was stiff and frustrated. The only reason the place remained open and hadn’t been closed down for good was the lack of proof that linked the pills to the restaurant. They’d gotten a warrant and searched the place based on the circumstantial evidence at the scene, but they’d come up empty. No surprise there, Jake thought. Ramirez was good, and once those kids ODed, he’d clean out fast. But Jake believed the crook was arrogant enough to resume business later.