Married by Contract by Noelle Adams Read Free Book Online Page B

do.”
    “Shit,” Jenn said, shaking her head. “That’s awful. So what
are you doing now?”
    “I’m following the last guy I can verify actually had
contact with her. He’s…not someone I want to spend this much time watching.” He
was trying to sound casual, but she knew he wasn’t.
    She understood the edge to his tone, and her heart went out
to him. He’d been trying to live his life with as little pressure and turmoil
as possible, after his experiences in the military. This job didn’t fit that
description at all. “That’s got to be rough. How long will you look before you
have to give up?”
    “I don’t know. Her parents have a lot of money, and they’re
willing to spend it to find her.”
    “You’re not doing this one job all day long, are you? You
need to do something else in between that isn’t so hard emotionally.”
    “I’m fine.”
    “Are you?”
    “Yeah. It’s actually nice to do something that
feels…important.”
    “You do a lot that’s important.”
    “Do I?” It sounded like he was smiling now, which was a real
relief.
    “Sure you do. I bet even those cheating photos you’re always
mocking are meaningful to the spouses who needed proof. I can just imagine how
they must feel. We’re not even in love, but if you were cheating on me, I’d be
really upset.”
    “If you were cheating on me, I’d be more than upset.”
    Jenn smiled, glad to hear him sound more like himself. “So
then we’re agreed. Even your cheater photos are important to someone.”
    “Right.”
    “And you really do need something else to think about
besides this poor teenager.”
    “I have other things to think about.”
    She shivered at the slight thickness to his tone, wondering
if he was remembering they could have sex this evening.
    She was definitely remembering it.
    “Okay,” she said, pushing away the thought. “I better get
back to work. I don’t want to ruin my productive streak today.”
    “Go to it, then. Thanks for calling.”
    She wasn’t sure what to say to that, since she hadn’t really
been calling to be nice to him. But she liked that he appreciated it, as if
simply talking to her was a good thing. “Okay. See you later.”
    As she hung up, she was smiling.
    ***
    When she walked into the apartment
that evening, she didn’t see Nick.
    He was normally hanging out in the kitchen or living room,
watching TV, working on his computer, or cooking something for dinner. Her
heart dropped painfully as she looked around at the silent, empty rooms.
    Why wasn’t he here? This was their sex night. Surely he
didn’t want to put it off until another day.
    Reminding herself that he had a job and a life, and he
wasn’t always just waiting around for her to show up, she dropped her bag on
the floor. He was probably just running late. Or maybe he was having a beer
with his friends. He did have a few guys he hung out with occasionally. She
could use a shower before sex anyway.
    As she passed his bedroom door, she gave a little jerk of
surprise when it suddenly swung open. Nick stood in the doorway, wearing
nothing but a towel.
    He must have been in the shower.
    Surely that was a good sign.
    “Hi,” she said, trying to sound normal. “I thought you
weren’t home.”
    “Why the hell wouldn’t I be home tonight? Am I crazy?” He
reached out for her and dragged her into his bedroom, kissing her hard and
deep.
    She clung to him, off-balance and thrilling with excitement
and relief.
    At least she wasn’t the only one who’d been waiting for this
evening.
    “So I guess you want to have sex?” she asked breathlessly
when he finally released her lips. She was hit with the desire to tease him a
little, maybe just an overflow of her mood.
    He stared at her, flushed, rumpled, and panting.
    “Did you want to ask if I’m in the mood too?”
    He blinked. “Aren’t you?”
    “It’s in our contract, you know, that we both have to be in
the mood.”
    “You’re not?” He rubbed at his face with