Murder in Paradise (Paradise Series) by Deborah Brown Read Free Book Online Page B

protect his sister and nephew. But the smarter choice would be to ask the person who knows everything that goes on in the neighborhood and is much more reliable than Joseph. Liam doesn’t sugar-coat the truth. Kevin probably didn’t want to acknowledge how streetwise Liam had become.
    “Where’s Joseph now?”
    Liam pointed to the yellow house. “He’s across the street, where they smoke pot on the porch, and when they run out, they boil the stems and seeds and drink it. Have you met his new girlfriend?”
    “Please, tell me she’s nothing like the last one.” To say that I was happy to see her go would be an understatement.
    “Totally different. I’m not telling you anything until you get introduced.” Liam laughed. “There’s my mom.” He waved. “Brad docked earlier today, cleaned his boat and we’re going to dinner. I chose hotdogs on the pier.”
    “Have a great time. Tell Brad to call his sister once in a while.” I waved to Julie and cut across the drive to the office. Now that Brad had met someone he liked, he no longer scheduled back-to-back fishing trips. Once he sold off his catch, he stayed docked for a few days.
    I barely got the door closed and looked out the window just in time to see the black Mustang at the corner. The giveaway—the bashed in passenger side, which apparently didn’t impair the ability for a quick getaway.
    “Did you see that?” I pointed.
    “Who was driving?” Mac jumped as the car rounded the corner.
    “I change my mind. I didn’t see anything,” I said. “I don’t need any black Mustang drama. I know nothing and I’m very happy it’s not on the property anymore.”
    “I’m only resting my eyes, I’m not asleep.” Fab lay stretched out on the couch. “I need a ride to the airport to pick up a car for Brick.”
    “Oh good, I can practice my hot-wiring skills.” Mother and I had nagged Fab until she taught us in a group class. As usual, Mother was a much better student. What surprised me, Julie ranked up there with Mother, and I got a C.
    “We don’t have all night,” Fab sighed.

CHAPTER 9
    “Why didn’t Fab shoot you?” I shoved another pillow under my head. Fab enjoyed pointing her gun at Zach when he snuck in like a burglar in the middle of the night.
     Zach stood at the foot of the bed and stripped off his shirt, unbuckled his belt and let his jeans slide to the floor, as efficiently as he did other things. I never tired of looking at him naked, his darkly tanned skin and well-defined muscles. “Every time I ask you when she’s moving out, you give me some vague answer that gives me hope it will happen tomorrow.”
    “Do you really want to fight before sex?”
    “No, and not after either.” He climbed onto the bed like a feral cat, leaning on one elbow, caressing my cheek and teasing my lips in a soft kiss that quickly turned hot. Zach pulled me on top of him, and I rested my head on his shoulder.
    He brushed my hair out of my face. His breath played across my cheek as his lips found the side of my neck, teeth and tongue grazing my skin, pulling me to him, kissing me hard on the mouth. His hands slid down my body, pulling my T-shirt over my head. I groaned, my pulse quickening with the rush of familiar sensations flooding my body, chasing all thoughts from my mind, fully aware without needing to be told how much Zach wanted me. It’s a mutual level of desire we feel for each other.
    * * *
    “You still here?” Fab asked Zach when we walked into the kitchen.
    Zach ignored her as he poured himself a cup of coffee.
    I motioned to Fab to take her coffee and go eavesdrop where Zach couldn’t see her. “I should’ve been upfront the first time, and all the other times you asked about Fab moving out, but I don’t like to argue. I don’t want to throw her out.” I took a quick breath to calm my racing pulse. “Besides, how can I trust you when I find out you snuck behind my back and told Mother I was working for Brick?”
    “I worry