Kiss Me If You Can by Carly Phillips Read Free Book Online

letting him off easily.
    She also had a point. He was attracted to her. Especially the way her breasts pushed upward in the low-cut dress, revealing more than a sexy hint of cleavage for view.
    He let out a low groan and forced himself to focus on the jewelry instead. “Apparently, the ring is part of a collection of jewels dating back to the 1950s.” He’d been unable to find an exact date yet. But if he sold her the ring, as she requested, he’d lose his connection to the story.
    The same way he’d lose his connection if he just returned the item to Ricky. He wasn’t ready to reveal to Lexie Ricky Burnett’s sudden interest in reacquiring the ring. Coop was still gauging her truthfulness and he didn’t know how she’d feel about having competition for the piece. Besides, he wanted her focused while she revealed information to him.
    â€œSo it’s worth more than its appearance suggests,”Lexie mused. “The same probably holds true for my grandmother’s necklace. Who would’ve thought it had value? Okay, so what if we have your ring appraised and then discuss a price?” Clearly she wouldn’t be easily dissuaded.
    She was logical. And smart. He liked that combination in a woman. It just didn’t help his cause. Because if they brought the ring to a professional jeweler for an appraisal, the appraiser would probably identify it. Worse, he might realize that the ring was linked to an unsolved crime from years past and blow Coop’s exclusive to this story. Coop needed to figure out all the angles before he made any decisions.
    Something the logical beauty might understand. She might even possess pertinent information about the jewels and their past. He’d already learned the hard way that she preferred honesty.
    â€œYour grandmother didn’t know the necklace had value?” he asked.
    Lexie shrugged her shoulders. “She never said and I never asked. I never had any reason to. Money’s not important to me except as a necessity to do the traveling I love. Do you like to travel?”
    He shook his head. “Not much.”
    Disappointment flickered in her eyes before she continued. “There are places in the world you can’t possibly imagine. I love to see the beauty and thecolors of different countries, people and heritages.” Her cheeks flushed as she explained her passion.
    A passion he’d like to see directed at him, not at foreign places that took her far away.
    â€œNever mind,” she said as if catching herself. “Back to business. I wonder how my grandfather came into possession of something that once was part of an expensive collection.”
    â€œI take it your grandmother never said?” he asked her.
    â€œNope.”
    He was curious about the same thing. There were many unanswered questions, leaving Coop even more intrigued by the jewels and their history. Not to mention by Lexie herself. At least now he had an avenue by which to learn more. He could uncover answers by getting closer to Lexie. Not a hardship, he thought, meeting her gaze. And something he’d want to do regardless of the jewels.
    Her grandmother hadn’t shared much about the history of her prized possession. Because she didn’t know? Or because she had something to hide?
    â€œCould you ask your grandfather?” Coop asked.
    â€œHe passed away fifteen years ago,” she said softly, her eyes clouding.
    â€œI’m sorry.”
    â€œThanks. But Grandma’s a survivor. She’s been hell on wheels her whole life and she wasn’t aboutto stop after Grandpa died. So she grieved and then picked herself up and went on.”
    Coop grinned. “She sounds feisty. Like you.”
    â€œWhy, thank you!” Lexie drew up straighter, always pleased anytime someone compared her to her grandmother.
    Her grandmother’s unconditional love and understanding provided Lexie with the self-acceptance she