Courting Suspicion. Kimberly Dean

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      No. One step at a time. He couldn’t get ahead of himself.

      ‘How did they meet?’

      ‘Through business.’

      ‘Your company’s business?’

      Her gaze met his over her coffee cup. ‘Yes. I introduced them. What does that have to do with the invasion of their hotel room?’

      It took him a moment before he decided to answer truthfully. He had to see her reaction. He had to know. ‘The reporters claimed she was a prostitute. They thought the American people should know what their elected officials are doing. Or should I say, “whom”?’

      Nina flinched hard enough to make her hair sway, and the fight came into her eyes. ‘So that gives them the right to break the law? They can enter a hotel room by force and film a couple during a moment of intimacy based on hearsay?’

      ‘No. That’s why I arrested them.’

      The tension in the room ebbed.

      ‘Yes. Right. Thank you for doing that.’ She stared down into her coffee. ‘The video … can the part after the break-in be erased?’

      ‘No. That would be tampering with the evidence.’ And he wouldn’t do that – not even if she asked him to. His shoulders pulled tight as he waited to see if she would.

      ‘Even if it’s a terrible invasion of privacy?’ she asked.

      ‘The judge could rule that portion impermissible – for this crime.’

      Her lips thinned, and she folded her hands tightly. ‘The accusation is offensive. Genieve’s been seeing the senator exclusively for a while. Do your homework, Morgan.’

      Exclusive. There was that word again. It hit Josh’s ear wrong. He’d heard it before … from Genieve …

      ‘Interesting you should say that.’ He took a drink of his own coffee. It was the good stuff, but he’d long since passed the need for caffeine. When he set it on the table, he leaned in towards her. He gave her credit. He felt the electricity between them jump, but she didn’t pull back. ‘I did a quick Internet search on the senator. He seems to show up in lifestyle stories more than political ones.’

      ‘I’m shocked.’

      ‘There were photos of him at events with Genieve on his arm.’

      Nina lifted her coffee cup and an eyebrow. ‘Don’t make me say I told you so.’

      ‘There were even more photos of her doing the same with other men. Rich men.’

      She took her time sipping her coffee. When she set it back down, the cup didn’t even clink against the table. ‘She dates. That’s not a crime.’

      ‘Maybe. Not usually, but the senator had your business card in his pocket.’

      He watched as her pretty eyes narrowed. ‘Probably because his girlfriend works here.’

      ‘And what, exactly, is it that Luxxor does, Nina? You’ve never really shared that with me.’

      The muscle in her temple pulsed. ‘I don’t know what you’re implying, Detective, but Luxxor will not tolerate slander. From reporters or you. I thought this discussion was supposed to be about the crime that was committed – the break-in. Do I need to call my lawyer?’

      Josh sat back in his chair and stretched out his legs. Their feet bumped, and she shifted. They were back to the magnetic push/pull dance they liked to do. Skirting around the subject … and each other … He’d always wondered at the cause behind it. Serious attraction had always been the pull, but the push had always been a mystery.

      Was her job the reason why she’d told him they couldn’t be together?

      He drummed his fingers against the table top. ‘Have you noticed anyone hanging around the place? Has this TMI website reached out to you in any way?’

      ‘No.’

      ‘Does Genieve have any enemies?’

      ‘Everyone likes her.’

      Yeah, he’d seen proof of that. The boys in blue at the hotel room had liked her a lot. ‘How about the senator?’

      She rolled her eyes. ‘He’s a politician – and he’s running for office.’

      Point taken. Dumb question.

      ‘How about you?’ he asked.

      She reached up to touch her earring. It was a little thing, but the question unsettled her more than he liked. ‘Not that I know of.’

      ‘Would you tell me if you did?’

      She didn’t answer.

      Suddenly the tension in the room pissed Josh off.

      ‘Nina, the reporters got an anonymous tip.’

      ‘From someone obviously very hurtful.’

      ‘That’s what worries me.’ The energy he’d been missing for most of the night returned with a surge. He turned in his seat and leaned towards her until he was in her space and in her way. ‘Just tell me, is there anything I need to know?’

      She concentrated on her coffee, but the pulse at her temple fluttered wildly. ‘No.’

      ‘Do you trust me?’ he asked.

      The tip of her tongue darted out to run across her lips, but she kept her silence.

      Apparently, not enough.

      The spurt of energy left him, and the weight of the night jumped on Josh’s back. If she’d just shared a little, he might have been able to let it go. But now? Now he had to keep digging, and in places she might not like.

      Wearily, he pushed himself to his feet. She looked up at him, her beautiful face pale.

      He wanted to touch her so badly, his fingers ached. To stop himself, he planted his hands on his hips. ‘I knew some new scandal would eventually bring me back here. I just wasn’t expecting this.’

      ‘Detective …’

      He shook his head. ‘Get some rest, Nina.’

      He had a feeling they both were going to need it.

       Chapter Three

      Nina wasn’t ready when her employees flew into the breakroom seconds after the main office door clicked shut. It was such a quiet sound after all that energy Josh had been giving off – and somehow so much worse than if he’d yelled or broken something. She СКАЧАТЬ