He reached out and brushed his fingers along her cheek, tucked a wisp of hair behind her ear-all part of the pretense of being lovers, she assumed, yet that didn’t stop her pulse from leaping or her skin from heating.
He cast a surreptitious glance at the man striding toward her side of the car. “The guest cottage will most likely be bugged, so once we leave this car, there will be no more talk of the case, okay?”
She licked her suddenly dry lips and nodded. “All right.”
His fingers slipped to the base of her neck and an involuntary shiver rippled through her. He looked as if he wanted to kiss her, looked as if he wanted to say more, but there was no time.
The valet opened the passenger door, interrupting the moment. “Good afternoon, ma‘am,” he said pleasantly.
Josh let go of her, slowly sliding his hand away, and she turned her attention to the man waiting to help her from the vehicle. Placing her fingers in his white-gloved ones, she slipped from her seat and stood, wondering if this clean-cut young man was on their side or Carranza’s.
“Thank you,” she murmured, retrieving her hand from his as quickly as possible. At the moment, she didn’t trust anyone but Josh. So as not to appear anxious, she smoothed a hand down the chocolate-colored, knee-length silk dress she’d worn. The gown was one she’d taken from the boutique’s inventory, simple in design, yet sexy in a body-forming way. Perfect for a weekend tryst, Pam had told her, as she’d selected a pair of heeled sandals and some matching lingerie that Paige had been skeptical about wearing.
Standing a few feet away, she waited while the young man unloaded their one suitcase and garment bag and placed them on the imported tile veranda in front of the main door. He rang the doorbell, caught the keys Josh tossed his way, hopped into the Volvo and drove it around a bend in the drive Paige hadn’t noticed until then. She supposed with all the parties Carranza threw, he had a separate lot to park his guests’ cars.
By the time she and Josh made their way up the steps to the veranda, the front door had opened and a staidlooking butler greeted them. Another man dressed in black slacks, a crisp white shirt and black bow tie whisked their luggage away. Paige experienced a moment of panic, until she remembered that Josh had placed the velvet-lined bag holding the Ivanov necklace in her purse for just such a reason. Her hand tightened on the strap.
The older, gray-haired butler escorted them through a marbled foyer and into a large room decorated in rich furnishings. A small gathering of people milled about, talking and laughing, indulging in the wine and the light buffet spread out on a nearby mahogany sideboard. By the time Paige found Carranza and Bridget across the room, the other man had spotted her. Paige looped her arm through Josh’s, as much for silent support as to give the impression they were lovers.
Victor excused himself from the couple he was talking to and approached her and Josh. Bridget remained behind, casually sipping her glass of wine, but her cold, assessing gaze raked over Paige, then went on to scrutinize Josh. Josh merely smiled at the viperous woman, then turned his attention to Victor. He shook his hand as Paige made the introductions, using the false last name of Bennett that Josh had established as part of his cover.
Carranza smiled amicably, the expression in his dark eyes just as gracious, as he welcomed them to his home. Paige marveled at this man’s ability to appear so friendly and hospitable when she knew a ruthless criminal lurked beneath that pleasant facade. Victor spent the next half hour acquainting her and Josh with the other couples in the room, all of whom Paige found to be pretentious and snooty, then finally drew them toward the sideboard of appetizers and gestured for them to help themselves.
Paige was too nervous to eat and politely declined, but Josh had no qualms about sampling the delicacies.
Victor plucked a large shrimp from a tray and dipped it into the accompanying cocktail sauce. “You did bring the necklace, I hope?” Victor asked, his tone deceptively casual.
“Yes.” She smiled, miffed at Josh’s ability to eat when her stomach was in knots. He pretended disinterest in her conversation with Carranza, but she knew he was listening and alert. “I’ll be wearing it tonight.”
“Wonderful. My appraiser is looking forward to seeing it.” Victor glanced at the huge gilded grandfather dock that dominated a corner of the room, then back at them. “I’m expecting about a hundred guests for dinner this evening, and they’ll be arriving right up to six o’clock, when cocktails and appetizers will be served. You have three hours to play or relax, the choice is yours. You’re welcome to use the pool, or explore the grounds, or stay here and mingle.”
Three hours of polite talk wasn’t an option for Paige. “If you don’t mind, I think I’d like to take a nap. I’ve had a headache that I can’t seem to shake.” She pressed her fingers to her temples for emphasis and offered a smile. “A few aspirins and a nap ought to take care of it.”
Josh strummed his fingers lightly down her spine and leaned close. “I’ll take care of that headache for you, sweetheart,” he murmured, his warm breath caressing the curve of her neck.
Carranza, having heard Josh’s remark, smirked. “You’ll find the guest cottage fully stocked, so please enjoy the amenities.”
Josh’s large, masculine hand skimmed boldly over her bottom in sexual implication. “Oh, I’m certain we will.”
Paige struggled to catch her breath. Josh might be acting, but his lusty performance sparked a very real desire within her.
Carranza gave the butler a discreet nod. “Have Henry take Mrs. Montgomery and her guest to the west guest cottage.”
“Yes, sir,” the butler replied formally, and after motioning to the same man who’d taken their baggage earlier, he relayed the directions Victor had just given him.
Ten minutes later, she and Josh were alone inside an elegantly furnished cottage. Their accommodations consisted of a stocked kitchen and dining area, a luxurious living room with a big-screen TV, a bedroom twice the size of her own and a decadent bathroom complete with a Jacuzzi bath and a large, tiled shower stall. The cottage was situated at least two hundred yards away from the main house and right on its own private beach.
Josh switched on the elaborate stereo system in the living room to help drown out any noise they made or conversations they had. Soft rock music filtered through the cottage, familiar and soothing. Paige wandered into the bedroom, set her purse on the dresser, then opened the sliding glass door to let fresh air circulate through the room. She gazed out at the ocean while Josh inspected closets, drawers and other places for possible hidden listening devices. He found none, but they both knew that meant nothing.
“When our host mentioned amenities, he wasn’t kidding,” Josh said as he returned to the bedroom, amusement lightening his tone. “There’s everything from adult videos, to a fully stocked bar, to a box of condoms in the nightstand.”
She glanced over her shoulder and lifted a brow. “The hospitality here is overwhelming.”
He grinned, his eyes dancing with humor as he approached. His hands came to rest on her shoulders, and he massaged the tense muscles there with skillful ease. Her head fell forward and she groaned, feeling the stress drain from her body with every deep stroke of his thumbs along her neck.
“Now, about that headache…”
She shivered at the husky timbre of his voice and turned around, intending to tell him it had been an excuse to escape three hours of awkward pleasantries, but the knowing look in his golden-brown eyes cut her off. He touched his fingertips to her mouth, a gentle caress, and a huge ache yawned inside her.
She knew the sexual advances he’d made in Carranza’s presence were meant to establish the illusion of being intimate. Even now, Josh’s words and actions were chosen for the benefit of any listening ears. Yet as their eyes met, a hungry awareness swirled between them. She experienced a desperate urge to make love with Josh, to give him everything welling inside her, and take just as much.
She had no idea what tonight would hold, or what tomorrow would bring. More than anything, she wanted this one last time with him to take with her and remember when she was alone and missing him. She wanted to feel loved and cherished. No promises. No regrets.
“Paige…” His voice vibrated with uncertainties, though his gaze was fever-bright with desire.
“I want this. I need this,” she whispered, then gathered her courage to admit her strongest weakness, her greatest fear.
Not giving him a chance to reject her, she cupped his jaw between her cool palms, brought his mouth to hers and kissed him, pouring every emotion she felt for him into that fusing of lips, that tangling of tongues. He didn’t deny her, but then she knew he would never refuse anything she asked, not if her request was within his power to grant.
