The Object of His Protection - Brenda Jackson [34]
“I’ve taken care of most of what I plan to do today,” he said, shifting his gaze from her to the ducks.
“So, what time are you leaving?”
He looked back to her and raised a dark brow. “Am I supposed to be going some place?”
“Yes, I told you that that Karen person called. I heard the message.”
He crossed his arms over his chest. “And?”
“And I figured that, like most men, you wouldn’t hesitate to take her up on her offer.”
A smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes appeared on his face. “Well, today you will learn something new.”
“Which is?”
“I’m not like most men. And I don’t take advantage of every opportunity being offered. Some you learn to stay away from.”
“And is Karen one of those opportunities?”
“Afraid so. She’s looking for a husband but she won’t find one here.”
Charlene studied him. “Does that mean you’re not looking for a wife?”
“Yes, it means I’m not looking for a wife. Just a temporary bed partner. It’s better for me that way. I don’t do well with long-term affairs. The short ones work a whole lot better with my lifestyle.”
Charlene wondered if he was throwing out hints. If he was, then he was wasting his time. Once he discovered she was still a virgin, he would hightail it in the opposite direction real quick.
“So, what would you like to do tonight, Charlene?”
She didn’t fail to note Drey had said her name with just the right amount of sugarcoating to spike her hormone level up a notch and couldn’t help wondering if it was deliberate. A man with as much skill and experience with women as he possessed had to know when he’d hit the jackpot.
She decided to call his bluff to see just how far he would take this and if he was trying to break down her defenses. “I don’t know, Drey. What do you have in mind?” she asked in a voice so soft and seductive it didn’t sound like her own.
She watched his eyes darken a little and saw the smooth smile that formed on his lips. “Something that might get the both of us in trouble. But I’m willing to take the chance.”
Yeah, I bet you are.
“Think you’re interested?” he asked her.
Deciding to play along for a while, she said, “Possibly.”
His smile widened and he showed beautiful white teeth. “Good.” He glanced down at his watch. “You need to go into the house and change into something dark.”
Charlene lifted a brow. He said dark but not sexy. Did he have a fetish for dark clothes? “Why do I need to wear something dark?”
“So you can’t be seen.”
Now she was confused. Why wouldn’t he want to see her? She thought naked skin turned most men on. She met his gaze and saw the mischievous glint and wondered…
“Excuse me, are we talking about the same thing?” she decided to ask.
He gave her a half smile. “I don’t know. Are we?”
She didn’t have time to play guessing games with him. “Am I wrong or did you suggest we do something tonight that might get us into trouble?”
“No, you aren’t wrong. I did suggest that.” He leaned in closer, so close she could blatantly feel the heat off his body that seemed to suddenly block the cool air from coming her way. What other reason would her body suddenly feel as if it were burning up inside?
“And I’m curious to know what you thought I was referring to,” he said, leaning in even closer. She was tempted to take a step back, but a part of her refused to do so, afraid if she moved even an inch all those vibrations that were slowly thrumming through her body would get even stronger.
“No, you go first,” she said, nervously licking her lips and watching his gaze follow the movement of her tongue. “Tell me what you were talking about.”
He reached out and placed his hands at her waist and her body immediately reacted, shooting sparks of fire to every nerve ending. “Okay, what I was talking about us doing tonight, where we might get into trouble, is…”
“Yes?” she asked softly, curiosity eating away at her, especially in some very sensitive places.
“Breaking into the coroner’s office to find your boss’s original autopsy report on Dennis as well as that key.”
“What!