Page 48 of The Scarab's Game
All of my senses absorbed Jenn’s movement toward the balcony door. The scent of her perfume, airy and citrusy, with a hint of jasmine underneath. The light padding of her feet on the hardwood floor, silenced when she stepped onto the thick rug under the sofas. The sway of her hips as she dodged between the coffee table and a sofa.
What would her freshly washed skin feel like? What would every inch of her taste like?
Fuck, man. What’s going on?Why was I suddenly so aware of her?
She bent her head back, letting the towel fall into her hands, then dropped it onto the nearest sofa. “Ilovethat shower.”
“Emmett, tell me she is not in your bedroom after having a fucking shower.” Scarlett’s voice was distant. Not really, but I was doing my best to tune her out. Everyone on the team learned quickly how to distinguish between the conversations in your ear that were meant for you and all the noise in everyone else’s background.
That’s where I was putting Scarlett—in the background. And that was a mistake. I had a job to do that didn’t include eyeing up the woman I’d sworn to protect.
“The view from the sitting room is beautiful, isn’t it?” There. I answered Jenn, while providing the information Scarlett needed. And responding to Jayce, I added, “When Jayce was here after we arrived, she thought she saw someone from the balcony that she knew, but she was mistaken.”
Jenn ran her fingers through her wet hair and turned to face me. “What a strange coincidence.”
I shrugged.
Over the line, Jayce said, “You’re right. This guy isn’t ugly enough.”
Drew asked, “Enzo’s supposed to be here for the truck, right? Was anyone else coming? Did Dante say anything to Jenn?”
I grimaced deep inside. Back to using Jenn for intel. “What was Dante up to this evening?”
Jenn blinked at me a few times, framed by the faint light from the hotel’s exterior. She looked like an angel, albeit a confused one.
“Did he mention any plans? I was surprised he brought you back so early.”
Her shoulders fell, and she returned to the sofa. Sitting down lightly, she said, “Sleep. His father’s working him hard while they’re here.”
Oh, the sacrifices they must be making for their dear Fenix.“He’s doing the same to you. Working until eight, then keeping you out all night at aworkingdinner? You should get some sleep.”
“I’m kinda wired.” She eased back on the sofa, propping one foot on the coffee table. The robe rose with her leg and slipped, revealing far too much skin. Toned muscle all the way to her upper thigh.
Avert your eyes, Em.She’s taken.Although she didn’t seem to mind Dante’s interest.
“I’m still not adjusted to the time zone.” She yawned, stretching her arms behind herself and bowing her back as though she were working out her muscles. “And my back’s killing me. Too many hours at the worktable.”
Was that true, or was it an excuse? Had the break-in rattled her more than she’d let on, and was she afraid to go to sleep? The way she worried her bottom lip and lowered her eyes—she was uneasy. How could I fix her mood while the team prepared their own break-in?
If she were any other woman, I would have offered to massage her back. Encouraged her out of that robe. Found something in my toiletry bag to pass for massage oil.
Or skip the oil and the pretense.
“I have sleeping pills. Would that help?” Not that I’d use them while she was staying with me.
“No thanks. Can we talk instead?” She settled back, grabbing a cream-colored throw pillow from the end of the sofa, which she hugged to her chest. “Dante said some things this evening that got me thinking…”
“Truck’s packing up,” said Jayce.
My gaze flicked to the video feed on my monitor, then back to Jenn. Sure enough, the men closed and locked the gallery’s back door. The next stop would be Massimo’s yacht or the auction site.
Jenn looked up at the intricate chandelier over the table. “IfWheatfieldturns out to be a fake, what do I do?”
“Call the authorities?” Which wouldn’t do anything unless the police acted before the painting went to the auction.
“That was my original plan.” She looked out the window into the darkness.
“Truck’s leaving,” said Jayce. “What’s your call, Em?”