Nice and Naughty by Jayne Rylon Read Free Book Online Page B

risk being overheard. Sure enough, light footsteps sounded on the stairway behind them.
    He covered for them. “Now, quit stalling and tell me why someone wants to know about your business enough to face felony charges over it.”
     

    Chapter Five
    “That’s a really good question.” Alexa entered the room and faced the brothers. Justin sprawled on the beefy leather couch while Jason sat, with perfect posture, on the elegant wingback chair beside it. The eclectic mix of furniture suited the room. Justin patted the cushion by his side. “Sit down, you’re still pale.”
    He looked delicious in his faded rock band T-shirt and jogging pants. She couldn’t explain why the sight of his masculine bare feet turned her on but the flip of her stomach that resulted grew into a full out lurch when her stare darted away and landed on the hint of smooth, ripped chest that peeked through Jason’s button-down shirt. Not to mention the sinewy forearms that rested next to each other as he crossed his arms over his lean stomach.
    Everything about them turns you on.
    She grabbed a sage microfiber blanket off the opposite arm of the couch and tucked it around her like a shield before settling a safe distance away from Justin. The combination of the central air conditioning and her wet hair made the velvety cover seem rational, though they scalded her with the appetite in their eyes. It also ensured she didn’t flash them by accident and cause the whole house to explode from the sexual tension her bare flesh might incite. She needed to gather information without distractions. www.samhainpublishing.com
     
     
    “Don’t bother trying to shut us down.” She could tell Jason was preparing to dodge their questions about the business again. “We’re in this together now.”
    “I’ve decided this venture is too risky.” His face became stony, determined. “I’ll spread the word I’m withdrawing my bid.”
    Justin ignored him and turned to Alexa instead. In a stage whisper he said, “He’s lying. Sometimes he goes all big brother on me, since he’s a whole two minutes older, like I can’t take care of myself.”
    The thought that Jason considered his six-foot-something, muscled, badass brother in need of his defense inspired a grin but she played along, nodding in sympathy. “He does seem to have that protective streak down.”
    “But, really, he’ll keep working this deal on his own. It’s too intriguing for him to pass up.” He winked and her insides compressed with longing. “So we’ll just wait until he thinks we’re not looking and then jump in on our own which will be much riskier than if he’d let us work together in the first place.”
    Jason rolled his eyes in exasperation. She burst out laughing at the sight of one of the country’s most influential businessmen acting like a teenage girl. “Oh, for the love of God. You’re not going to quit are you?”
    “No.” Though Justin acted playful, his emotions ran deep. She read the tension in his whitened knuckles grasping the beer bottle so tight she feared it might crack.
    “And neither will I.” She committed to helping now, if only to screw the people who had tried to kidnap her. “You offered me a job, and I accept.”
    Jason’s eyes darted between them, weighing his options for a moment, before he stalked into the kitchen and retrieved a steel case. In the confusion earlier, Alexa had assumed it was a briefcase but now she saw it was far too bulky and heavy for that. He set it on the sturdy coffee table in front of them and snapped open the lid. She slid closer, enticed by the electronic gizmo inside. Her elbow bumped Justin’s when he leaned toward the puzzling object. Circuits made of precious metals glinted, reflecting the halogen can light from overhead.
    Justin reached into the case, hesitating a second to peer up at his brother. www.samhainpublishing.com
     
     
    “Jay, this isn’t what I think it is, is it?” He’d obviously made the leap