Under the Boardwalk

She shook her hair out behind her, the act bringing a whiff of fragrance to the air and a gut-clenching tightening in his belly.

“Just thanking you properly for the ride.” She reached out and wrapped her arms around his waist, fingers laced at his back, which had the effect of rocking her hips against him.

“Ari,” he said in warning.

“Quinn,” she mimicked in reply, a calculating, mischievous look in her eyes as she rose onto her tiptoes. If she was nervous, she hid it better than the other night, and before he could object, she sealed her mouth over his.

His body recognized hers, molding perfectly. He fit into the cradle of her hips while she kissed him and he responded, their mouths in a moist, heated, synchronized rhythm. As if they’d done this many times before. Many, many times before. And damn but she was good. He cupped his hand around her neck, angled his head and thrust his tongue deeper into her mouth until she moaned from deep in her chest.

The rumbling reverberated inside him and desire flooded through his overheated body. But the sudden sound of clapping penetrated his need-fogged brain and reminded him that they had an audience-something Ari knew when she’d started kissing him. The woman had an agenda. She had the ability to play him, while he’d gotten lost in anything she offered.

Damn. He had to get himself back under control and fast. They stepped apart at the same time, with Quinn completely conscious of the stares of those around him-of the employees who answered to Quinn, and of Connor, who’d never let him live this down.

“Don’t work too hard,” Ari said, flicking a speck of lint off his shirt. “I’ll see you when I’m off the clock.” With a sassy wave of her hand, she turned, picked a drink tray off the bar, and walked over to the nearest table. The college professor was nowhere in sight.

“I didn’t know they were an item,” Quinn heard Maria say to Connor.

“You learn something new every day.”

Quinn didn’t have to turn to see the killer grin Connor was probably flashing the waitresses’ way. Instead he watched Ari smile and flirt with a table of businessmen, then turn the same charm on the guys in T-shirts and grungy jeans. Once she set her mind on something, Ari had an ease about her and an ability to handle anything. She impressed him. A lot.

“Seems like you owe me an apology, sweetstuff,” Quinn heard Connor say to Maria. “All I was doing was trying to relax the new employee, not pick her up. Though why you care now when you refused any date I ever suggested is beyond me.”

“You’re an arrogant male who thinks he’s God’s gift to women. That I can live without.”

Connor chuckled. “Go ahead and try.”

Quinn left the bickering duo behind. He had work to do. And Ari with the wandering hands and powerful kiss would be here when he was done.

• • •

Quinn leaned back in a plush leather chair in Damon’s inner office and watched the bank of screens monitoring tables in the casino. He forcibly kept his gaze from the monitor covering the bar where Ari worked. He felt her presence anyway. Real or imagined, her scent clung to his clothing and hours later he still tasted her on his lips. But slowly the night crept by and soon he’d be driving her home.

By meeting her both before and after her shift, he minimized her ability to walk around and talk to people, asking questions about her missing sister. He didn’t know how long she’d put up with his presence, but once Quinn got his first look at the books this weekend, the entire operation might actually be over. Thank God. He ran a hand through his hair and shut his eyes, when a door slamming told him he had company.

“Slacking off on the job, Quinn?” Damon asked, his chuckle low and deep.

Quinn shook his head. “I’m just resting up before the long weekend.”

“That’s what I wanted to discuss with you.” Damon slung his jacket over the desk and began a methodic unbuttoning and rolling up of his sleeves. His gold Rolex gleamed under the fluorescent lighting. “I’ve had to rearrange my plans.”

Quinn’s gut warned him he wasn’t going to like the change. “I’m flexible,” he said. He rocked back and forth in the chair as if years of planning weren’t on the line.

“Roxanne can’t get away, so we’ll hit Palm Springs next weekend instead.” Damon took a seat on the corner of the desk, unconcerned. “I’ll just spend this weekend here.” His arm made a sweeping motion in the direction of the monitors, which flickered behind him, showing his domain in all its full-Technicolored glory.

“Whatever works for you, boss. You know that.”

Damon reached for the remote control and pulled the bar up onto the main television screen. “How’s our newest employee?” he asked, bringing Ari into full view.

“She’s settling in.”

“And you’re keeping an eye on her. I think that’s a good idea, considering.” Damon tapped his fingers on the desk, watching Ari as she worked. “She doesn’t suspect you in her sister’s disappearance?”

Quinn raised an eyebrow. “Hell no. I’m a charming guy and she likes me.”

“From the videos I’ve seen, I’d say she likes you a lot.” Damon tipped his head back and laughed aloud.

He’d obviously seen the kiss. Probably both of them, Quinn thought, and his skin crawled at the notion of Ari being watched.

“I don’t want to find her going through my books. Her sister came too damn close. I don’t intend a repeat performance.” Damon’s voice sobered. “Keep her busy,” he ordered.

“Sure thing. It’s not like being with her is a hardship,” Quinn joked.

Damon inclined his head. “Good. Do whatever you have to. Even at the expense of being in the hotel. If I know she’s occupied and in your capable hands, I have no problem covering for you here.”

Quinn forced a nod. “You got it, boss.” He didn’t ask what these new orders meant for Damon’s trip next weekend. Whether Quinn would still be in charge.

Seven days from now was a long way off. He had another seven days to live out of a hotel, on edge, and undercover. He had seven more days of keeping Ariana as close as his shadow.

CHAPTER SIX

Ready to face a new day, Ariana walked into the kitchen. She had a full agenda, including filling her parents in on her plans to stay here for awhile, though as soon as her sister came home safe, Ari would be on her way. In the meantime, she was adapting to living with her family again. The carafe in the coffeemaker was full, but having learned her lesson, she sniffed before pouring herself a steaming hot cup.

She sat down at the table and immediately saw a note propped on the centerpiece. Her aunt and uncle had gone out for the day, her father was at the diner, and her mother, the note said, was outside gardening. Without warning, memories assaulted her. Of the hectic breakfasts before the rush to school, when Ari would choose yogurt and Zoe would pick Froot Loops. Their differences were apparent even in such a trivial decision, she thought, smiling at the memory.

The peace and quiet she felt now was an unusual phenomenon, one that emphasized Zoe’s absence. But this being her parents’ home, of course it didn’t last. Before Ariana could settle in, she heard the sound of voices and the subsequent slam of the front door.

“Ari?” her mother called out.

“In the kitchen.” Ariana cupped her hands around her coffee mug and waited.

“You have company,” Elena’s voice came closer. “But you were in the shower so I had your friend wait with me.” She walked into the room, holding hands with Spank on one side and, to Ariana’s shock, the young girl she’d met yesterday on the other.

Ariana jumped up from her seat. “What are you doing here?” She started toward the girl. “Better yet, how did you know where to find me?”

Her mother prodded Sam into one of the kitchen chairs. “Relax, Ari. Let her have a drink first.” As Elena got busy pouring Sam a glass of juice, she continued to speak. “She’s wonderful company-”