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 cafe 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.
Molten heat seared his body, and Jake swallowed hard, unable to pull his gaze from the unexpected, tempting sight.
She patted her forehead, then lowered the towel and glanced up, catching his stare as he stood in the doorway. “I didn’t hear you come in. Is everything okay?” she asked.
“Yes.” He stepped into the room. “No. I need to talk to you.”
She inclined her head and gestured to the bench near one of the mirrored walls. “Come sit.” She patted the seat beside her.
He swallowed hard, then joined her.
“You’ve had more than a little therapy.” She jumped to the natural assumption after she’d witnessed his ability to put on his shirt with relative ease. “With the help you’ve been getting you don’t need me.” She started to rise, and he clamped a hand over her wrist to keep her next to him.
“Yes, Brianne, I do.”
She lowered herself slowly. Her green eyes raked over his face, searching for answers. “What are you saying?”
“I need more therapy.”
“Just not as much as everyone thinks.”
He gave a short nod. “Can I trust you to keep my secret?”
“You have my word.”
Even as she spoke, he realized he hadn’t had to ask. She’d respect his request. Her dedication to her brother spoke of her character, and his gut told him even more. He’d always trusted his instincts before. He had no reason not to now.
He squeezed her hand tight. “I’ve made progress with the rehab. A lot more than Rina, or the department, thinks.”
“But why keep your progress a secret?”
“I have my reasons.” Reasons he couldn’t share. Not only because he was unofficially working on a case but because her safety depended on her not knowing details. Another reason an affair would work. He could keep her safe by getting inside her head and by knowing where she was at all times.
She shifted, sliding so close that the heat of her body and the scent of her femininity surrounded him. His adrenaline pumped harder as he formulated what he could reveal. “Some of my reasons have to do with general life dissatisfaction and some are more personal. I can’t divulge them but…”
“Shh.” She placed a finger over his lips, and he found her touch warm, soft and gentle. “You don’t owe me explanations. It’s not like you’re the one who hired me.”
“But I am the one who wants to keep you.”
Brianne let out the breath she hadn’t been aware of holding. If he didn’t need or want therapy, if he didn’t need her, Rina’s money and Brianne’s plans for a future would disappear before her eyes. Relief that she didn’t have to worry about losing this job…relief that she wouldn’t be losing Jake, yet, spiraled through her.
“I want to keep the bargain going,” he clarified, “for the summer.”
“You want me to take over your rehabilitation, or what’s left of it?”
“That’s part of it.”
“What’s the rest? The catch?”
Jake reached out for the end of her ponytail, twirling the ends of her hair around his fingers. “I also want you.” His voice deepened to a husky murmur.
Brianne had no doubt he wasn’t referring to plain old physical therapy. She kept her eyes trained on his face and attempted to ignore the delicious tugging at her scalp that had an erotic effect on the rest of her body. As did his words. She already knew her response to him, knew each time they came together, no matter how platonic or professional the intent, the chemistry exploded into something much more. She remained quiet, unwilling to tip her hand, to reveal her thoughts or feelings until he’d laid out his meaning before her.
“I’d like to come to an understanding.” One side of his mouth lifted in a sexy yet endearingly hesitant grin.
One she knew didn’t bode well for her unsteady emotions and racing heart.
“I am willing to cooperate with you. Completely. Enough for you to feel like you aren’t lying to Rina when she checks in-and I can guarantee you she will.”
Brianne grinned. “She already has. Earlier tonight.”
He clenched his jaw.
“But, don’t worry, I didn’t let on there were any problems. I wanted to talk to you first.”
Relief washed over his expression. “I appreciate that.”
She tipped her head to one side. “But you’d obviously like something in return?”
“It’s not a
Aware of how he affected her, Brianne believed he was right. “What exactly are you referring to?” Her pulse tripped as she awaited his answer, though a part of her already knew.
“I want to explore this attraction between us. You can’t deny it exists.” With his hands wrapped in her hair, he brought his fingers to her cheek and stroked slowly, methodically, over her skin. “I know
He leaned closer. Their breaths mingled, and a hint of peppermint reached her nose, a scent she’d never found arousing until now. Her heart hammered out a rapid beat. “You know I do. I’m just not certain it would be a good idea.” No matter how much his suggestion appealed to her.
“Why not?”
“We’re living together, working together…it can get messy.” Painful, she thought.
