“It seems she’s paid directly by Juan Garza. And she’s got a taste for parties and cocaine and had several pictures of him on her social media. Perhaps she thinks he’s Mr. Right for her.”
This time, Jeannie’s whole body jerked. “You’ve got to be kidding! There’s no way that Juan would consider her to be a mate other than probably fuckin’ around.” The air rushed from her lungs as she flopped back on the sofa cushions. “So, let me get this straight. He hired somebody who’s not even a trained housekeeper to keep an eye on Maggie. But why? Maggie is not a threat to any of them. She doesn’t know anything. She’s practically never out of the guesthouse unless she and I are walking or driving around. It doesn’t make any sense!”
“If someone overheard her questioning where the Garzas get their money, that makes her a person of interest for them to keep an eye on.”
“But, Carson, lots of people do that! Haven’t you ever read an article about a super-rich person and it seemed like they had way more money than other people doing the same thing? And you find yourself wondering if they’re doing something illegal to get all that money! I mean, for all Maggie knows, the Garzas may be involved in shipping wine to places they’re not supposed to or something.” Bolting upright, she leaned closer, her gaze pinned on him. “What is it you think the Garzas are doing?”
Shaking his head, he said, “No. No. No. You are not involved in my investigation. You’re on the periphery, helping to keep an eye on Maggie while I work the mission. That’s all.”
She wanted to argue, her curiosity piqued, but knew he was right. Leaning over the coffee table, she inclined her head toward the other objects there. “Okay, what’s next?” She didn’t miss his little sigh, probably in relief, nor the way his lips curved. For a moment, their gazes held, and the air once again crackled between them. Just when she thought he might sweep the objects off the coffee table and grab her, he suddenly blinked, cleared his throat, then picked up the nearest one. She heard a sigh leave her lips but knew it wasn’t in relief. It was pure disappointment.
Refocusing, she watched as he went over the counter-surveillance gear he brought, listened to each explanation, and then practiced. A thought hit her, and she startled. “What am I supposed to tell Maggie? She’s going to wonder why I’m suddenly dusting her house or getting her phone or computer.”
“She’s already expressed concern with you that her place is bugged and that she suspects Penny. Let her know that you’re checking to be certain. All of this equipment can be bought by anyone, used by anyone. Granted, what I’m sending with you is higher-quality, more expensive, and what we would use. But she won’t know that. You can just let her think that you have a friend that loaned you the equipment and showed you how to use it.”
She nodded, feeling certain she could pull that off and Maggie would accept what she told her, just glad that she was able to check.
“But, Jeannie, this is important… do not talk to Maggie about anything when in her house. Even the conversation about where you got the equipment after you think you checked for all bugs. For the safety of what I’m working on, we don’t want anything talked about in the house where it could be overheard.”
Nodding again, she said, “Got it. Whatever I tell her will only be if we go on one of our walks or drives.”
He held her gaze for a long moment before he offered a chin lift, and she felt as though she’d passed an unknown test.
“Thank you for trusting me,” she said. “It means a lot to me.”
By the time she walked him to the door, she knew she was ready to take care of Maggie’s place the next day. She was also ready for Carson but refused to throw herself at him. I’ll give him all the signals, but the man has got to step up. Just when she was thinking of what signals to give off, he stepped closer, and she blinked, once again hoping she hadn’t spoken out loud.
Her breath halted in her lungs as he lifted his hand and gently tucked a wisp of hair behind her ear, trailing his forefinger along her lobe and over her neck, resting his fingertips on her fluttering pulse point. He leaned down, and her hands lifted, curling her fingers around his arms. Just as his lips approached hers, he stopped and whispered, “Breathe.”
Her breath rushed out and, embarrassed that he had to remind her, she was glad she hadn’t passed out. Not when he was so close. So very close. Her fingers squeezed lightly as his head continued to incline toward her. “Please,” she whispered, the words escaping unbidden.
Barely a breath away from her, he asked, “Please what?”
“Please kiss me.”
“Thank fuck,” he whispered in return just before his arms banded around her body and his mouth sealed over hers.
Jeannie thought she’d been kissed before, but nothing prepared her for the onslaught of reactions hitting her all at once as Carson took the kiss beyond anything she’d ever experienced. His lips devoured hers as he angled her head, taking full advantage of the access. A bolt of lightning traveled along her nerves, shooting from her mouth to her breasts to her core. She clenched her thighs together, sure that her clit was standing at attention, begging to participate. She’d thought the saying ‘weak in the knees’ was only found in historical romance novels but was certain if her hands were not clutching the thick muscles of his biceps, she would surely land in a puddle at his feet.
She wasn’t short, and yet he seemed to surround her. Bent over her, their bodies were pressed together from chests to hips and held tightly with one arm curled around her back, his hand just above her ass and his other hand cupping her face. And there was no denying the obvious evidence of his arousal pressed against the softness of her stomach.
His tongue swept past her lips, the velvet touch sending tingles racing along her nerves. He was dominating her mouth, exploring. She managed to loosen her grip and slide her hands over his shoulders to finally rest at the back of his neck, pulling him closer. Time ceased to matter. Past and future melded together into this one moment, this one kiss.
Growing bolder, she sucked on his tongue, thrilled at the groan pulled from deep within him. Her back bowed as he leaned deeper into her, and she held tight, thrusting her tongue over his, exploring his essence, memorizing his taste. Spicy, tangy, sweet, masculine, all Carson.
She pressed her hips forward, desperate to ease the ache between her legs. It seemed impossible that his cock was even harder.
His kiss slowed from devouring to nibbling before he lifted his head. She whimpered, unashamed of her desperate need. His arm continued to hold her tight, and his thumb swept across her cheek. Blinking, her eyes focused on him staring so intently at her. Terrified of what he might say, she felt an icy finger start to slither through her veins.
“Christ, you’re beautiful,” he whispered, his breath puffing lightly over her face.
The cold disappeared, and warmth oozed through her body. Her lips, swollen from their kiss, curved upward. “So are you,” she replied just as softly.
“I don’t want to stop,” he confessed.
“Then don’t. You can stay.”
“I want to do this right,” he said, his voice like gravel. “You deserve that.”
“What’s right?” she prodded, still whispering. “Dinner first? Going on a date? Two dates and second base, three dates and all the way?” Continuing to smile, she said, “To me, what’s right is whatever we feel. If this is all, I’ll take it and be more than happy. You don’t have to do anything special for me to want to be with you. You’re special enough.”