Read Online The Mighty Quinns: Danny by Kate Hoffmann - Free Book Online

along the tile deck. “Are you going to come in? The water’s beautiful. Warm enough to be comfortable, cool enough to be refreshing.”
    â€œYou’re naked,” she said.
    â€œI promise, I’ll stay on this end. And if you’re shy, just leave your clothes on.”
    â€œI’m not going to jump in with my clothes on.”
    â€œThen take your clothes off. I won’t look.” Danny watched her face as she considered her options. “Oh, I can see those wheels turning. Should I cast aside my inhibitions and give it a go? Or should I pretend like I’m a good girl? I know you’re not a good girl, Jordan. There’s a wild woman under that proper dress and cardie.”
    â€œDon’t presume to know what I’m thinking,” she warned.
    â€œWe’re both adults,” he said.
    â€œI’m your boss, you’re my employee.”
    â€œI’m your artist, you’re my muse,” he countered.
    â€œMore like I’m a canary and you’re a hungry cat,” she said.
    â€œAll right, don’t come in.” He pushed off the side and submerged, kicking and stroking beneath the water before he came up in the middle of the pool. “This is incredible. The perfect way to relax after a long day at work. A bloke could get used to living like this. In the lap of luxury.”
    â€œMoney doesn’t always buy happiness,” Jordan said.
    â€œWho says that? And who even believes that’s true?”
    â€œI do,” she said. Jordan kicked off her shoes and pulled up her skirt, then sat down on the edge of the pool, dangling her feet in the water. “My father has all the money in the world and he’s never really been happy. He always seems to need more. When is it finally enough? When can you sit back and enjoy what you have?”
    â€œI don’t know,” Danny said. “I never really thought about it.”
    â€œI do,” she said. “All the time.”
    â€œAre you happy?” he asked. “I mean, right now, at this moment.” She thought about her answer for a long moment, a frown wrinkling her brow. “It’s not a trick question.”
    â€œIt’s not the money. That’s not why I want a place at Kencor. I’d work for free if it were challenging work. I love my job.”
    He swam across the pool and stood in front of her, the water lapping at his waist. Droplets streamed over his skin and clung to his lashes. “You don’t convince me,” he said softly. “I want to know what makes you smile.”
    â€œWatching silly animal videos on YouTube,” she said. “Eating a whole pint of chocolate ice cream at three in the morning. Getting the hiccups from drinking too much champagne.”
    â€œDo I make you smile?” he asked. Danny wrapped his arms around her legs and gently pulled her closer to the edge. “When I touch you?” He smoothed his hand along her thigh, beneath her skirt. “Would you smile if I dragged you in?”
    â€œNo,” she warned. “I’d be mad. My phone is in my pocket and I don’t think my watch is waterproof.”
    Danny stepped between her knees and reached up to slip his hand around her nape. He gently pulled her toward him until their lips were just a few inches apart.
    A tiny sigh slipped from her throat when he removed her watch from her wrist and set it on the pool deck. Then, Danny smoothed his hands over the skirt of herdress until he found her cell phone. He slipped it out of her pocket and set it beside her watch, then gently pulled her into the water. Jordan didn’t even bother to protest. What was the point? Trying to deny her impulses would only frustrate them both.
    When her feet touched bottom, she reached for the hem of her dress and pulled it over her head, then tossed it to the pool deck. She’d chosen her underwear very carefully that morning and was satisfied that the scraps of