Read Online Breaking the Rules by Jennifer Lewis - Free Book Online Page B

keep all your money under the bed?”
    “I wear it around my neck in gold coins, of course.” A smile tugged at her lips again.
    “All right. Maybe we can get this melted down into some coins and you can wear them for me?”
    “Sounds kind of heavy.”
    “Weight-bearing exercise is good for the bones.”
    “You’re terrible, Joe.”
    “I know. That’s why I’m so damn miserable.”
    She tossed her head, the mane of raven hair falling down her back. “I’ll come to the bank with you.”
    “Now you know I’m loaded you want to be my friend again?”
    “Something like that.”
    “I’ll take what I can get.”
     
    Joe watched as she locked up the apartment. Five locks seemed a little paranoid, but he enjoyed watching her bend over to turn the one right near the floor.
    Sooner or later, he was going to get under that skirt. Preferably sooner.
    “You can leave your bag here, you know.”
    “Nah, it’s got stuff in it I might need.”
    “You don’t trust me?” Her brow arched but her expression was warm.
    “Let’s not go down that road again. And who knows, I might not be back. I’m going to look for an apartment today.” He looked at her quickly to gauge her reaction.
    And was delighted to see a flicker of alarm—and very definite disappointment—cross her delicate features.
    “Maybe you could help me find it?”
    “I have to get to the store. I have an appointment at ten-thirty. But if you do need a place to stay tonight…” She pulled the key out of the last lock and pushed past him to the stairs. Her hair flew out behind her as she dashed down the first flight.
    “If I need a place to stay tonight?”
    She turned around and put her finger to her lips, giving him a stern glare. Joe glanced around at the closed apartment doors ringing the narrow stairwell. He nodded and smiled.
    “Cool.”
    She dashed down the stairs so fast he had to jump them two at a time to keep up with her. No wonder she kept so trim.
    “Hey, wait up!” he shouted, as she pushed out the door into the blinding brightness of the street.
    She strode along the sidewalk, skirt flying behind her. An invitation to hot pursuit. Exhilaration jumped in Joe’s veins as he smelled the sea in the warm morning air—salt and seaweed and life.
    He dashed past Susana, then turned and blocked her. She bumped into him, hair flying, breasts crushing deliciously against his hard chest.
    “Ouch!” Her eyes glittered.
    Joe dropped his bag and wrapped his arms round her, imprisoning her with his body.
    “We’re not in your apartment any more. The rules are lifted.”
    Her fingers tightened around his biceps, holding him at bay. “We’re out in the street.”
    “I know.”
    “People are watching.” Her eyes darted about his face.
    “Do you care?”
    She hesitated, teeth grazing her lip. “Not really.”
    “Me neither.” He held her gaze for a minute as her pupils darkened with desire. “I’d like to kiss you.”
    She tossed her hair, releasing a whiff of incense from its black depths.
    Her fingers softened their grip but her wrists held firm. Pushing him back until her breasts were one or two inches from his chest.
    From his heart. Which tightened, beating harder as heat crept through his muscles.
    He’d kept himself firmly in the “off” position all night. Playing by the rules.
    Her lips pressed together, skeptical. But her eyes were an invitation that summoned him to act.
    Joe buried his face in the crook of her neck, inhaling the exotic scent as her hair trailed over her face. He heard her swift intake of breath as he brushed her earlobe with his lips.
    “I’d like to make love to you.” He whispered it so softly the words were barely more than breath.
    She gasped and stiffened.
    “Not now,” he whispered, lips brushing the pulse below her ear. “Now I just want to kiss you.”
    He trailed his lips over her cheekbone, her skin smooth, silky and cool under his mouth. His arms held her tightly to prevent escape. He