Rules of Attraction by Susan Crosby Read Free Book Online Page B

what you’re going through.”
    He’d never seen eyes so bright a shade of blue.
    â€œSo, a P. I. with a soft heart,” she said.
    â€œWe’re not the hard-boiled detectives shown on television. We have hearts, and consciences. I got into this business to help the innocent and the helpless.”
    â€œBecause you’d been in that position yourself.”
    He didn’t answer, but she seemed to read it in his eyes just the same.
    â€œWhat happened to you?” she asked.
    â€œI don’t talk about it anymore. I overcame it. I justdon’t want your life to be thrown into misery like mine was.” And I want to see what could happen between us.
    She moved off the stool, taking her soda with her. “I tried to check out your company, ARC Security & Investigations. I couldn’t find anything. No Web site. You’re not even listed in the Yellow Pages.”
    â€œWe get our business by word of mouth, reputation and recommendation.” He approached her, liking how she held her ground. At least she wasn’t nervous around him. “Look, Claire, this is about my reputation, too. Jennifer got away on my watch. You don’t think that ticks me off? It’s the first time it’s happened. I’m good at what I do. Damn good. I want to fix it.”
    â€œYou want to prove my sister is guilty.”
    He didn’t think he would have to prove that. “I want to salvage my own reputation, and I want to keep you from getting hurt. What happens to your sister depends on her innocence or guilt, not whether we find her.”
    She held his gaze for a long time, as if seeing into him layer by layer until she could see his soul. She needed to believe him, to trust him. He understood that. He found her unwavering stare incredibly sexy. He found everything about her incredibly sexy.
    Even if he had intended to stay involved only in a business sense, it was too late. He wanted to sit her on the counter, unfasten the hooks on her overalls and slip his hands under her T-shirt. He’d bet her skin was warm and soft. He’d bet if she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled herself close that she would smell fresh and flowery. He’d bet she put her heart and soul into a kiss.
    Maybe he should test the theory….

Five
    C laire forgot what the question was. Or the issue. Or whatever it was that he was waiting for her to say. Something about Jenn….
    She liked the way he looked, liked his strong features and amber eyes, and his logic and calmness. She believed him when he said he understood what she was going through. People often said things like that, but they didn’t really know. He did, apparently. He’d been in her shoes. If she let him help, she stood a much greater chance of finding Jenn—if she wanted to.
    But it also created two problems. First, she was attracted to him, an attraction she didn’t think would die with familiarity but would instead become stronger. It had already transformed from the strictly physical and chemical response when they’d first met to something else, something more. Second, if they were successful and found Jenn, it could mean Jenn might end up in jail.Could Claire be part of that? Live with that? The repercussions were huge.
    She should be very, very careful not to fall for him—
    No. She was sick of being careful. She wanted to kiss and be kissed. To hold and be held. To have a partner. Why couldn’t she fall for him? Why couldn’t they fall for each other?
    But she knew why—he believed Jenn was guilty, and Claire believed she was innocent, at least of stealing the money from Beecham. Jenn may have always wanted more, but she wouldn’t steal to get it.
    â€œClaire.”
    Quinn’s voice startled her. She’d been staring right at him but had forgotten he was there.
    â€œOkay,” she said, turning away and picking up her empty soda can to put in the recycling bin.