By Hook or By Crook by Linda Morris Read Free Book Online Page A

the other side.

Chapter 3
    Shortly before eight, Joe rapped on Ivy’s door. He’d left her alone before the fight, at her request, and he’d made some money on the casino floor. At the blackjack tables, he’d also collected the room number of a delightful brunette named Miranda. If they could wrap up this little assignment this evening, he hoped he would be extending his lucky streak in her hotel room soon.
    He’d had a hell of a good time, and he couldn’t for the life of him understand why Ivy would rather be holed up in a hotel room with her laptop, staring at pictures of old engravings, even if they were kind of cool. This was Vegas, for God’s sake, and the lights on the Strip called to anyone with a pulse. She could look at old pictures any time.
    After a moment, he heard footsteps and muffled sounds from Ivy’s room. Finally, the door opened to a somewhat chastened-looking Ivy, beckoning him inside.
    He stepped into her room—check that, her suite. He had settled for a standard, two-double-bed room, not wanting to push his luck even with Smithson picking up the tab, but she had gone with the upgrade, booking a large suite with a kitchen, living area, and separate bedroom. She lived in luxury as a matter of routine, he supposed. It seemed like a waste, considering they’d probably be leaving soon, but hey, it wasn’t coming out of his per diem.
    “I’m sorry, I’m running a bit late. I got caught up in work and didn’t realize the time. I was changing clothes, but I had trouble with the closure in back. I forgot how much trouble this dress is to get into,” she explained in an apologetic tone.
    He was about to point out that a martial arts bout wasn’t exactly a formal event, but then he took a good look at the dress, a sleeveless grayish-silver thing. It somehow started off light at the top, and then darkened in a subtle gradient toward the bottom. Simple, lovely, just like her. It suited her to a tee. Although it wasn’t particularly revealing, something about the way it draped over her slim figure, especially when contrasted with the severe tailored clothing she’d worn up to now, captured his eye and wouldn’t let go.
    “I can help. Turn around.”
    She seemed to hesitate, unsure of herself. He didn’t understand the slightly embarrassed expression on her face until she turned around. She had managed to fasten the closure at the top of her neck, but the remaining fasteners gaped open all the way down her back, revealing the clasp of a sexy pink lace bra. It bisected smooth, creamy skin. Below, he could see the slope of her lower back, just above where the slit in her dress ended. His mouth went dry at the sight of that curve. What would she do if he touched her there?
    “Can you figure out the fasteners?”
    Her voice made him realize he’d been staring, but he wasn’t able to answer immediately. He cleared his throat and nodded, stupidly, before realizing that she couldn’t see the non-verbal gesture. “Sure.” His voice seemed to have grown rusty.
    He began to fumble mechanically with the closures, finally getting the first one closed more by luck than skill. Why was he having such a hard time getting it together? The allure of Ivy’s soft skin and the faint scent of her perfume, something girly and floral, penetrated his defenses in a way he hadn’t anticipated.
    Shaking it off, he bent his head to the task at hand. As he fastened the last closure, his fingertips grazed the skin at the base of the opening, above the swell of her rear. He got an impression of warm, smooth skin, but the contact sent an electrical jolt he’d never felt from such a brief touch before. Ivy must have felt it as well—she swiftly inhaled, and her shoulders stiffened in awareness. But in an instant the moment ended, whatever it had been. Stunned, he wondered if he’d imagined the whole thing. She disappeared into her suite’s bedroom, coming out again a few minutes later in a pair of low-heeled sandals