Read Online Through the Night by Janelle Denison - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Janelle Denison
Ads: Link
the rest of the cane, and that’s it. My job will be done.”
Valerie was certain the case would be that basic and easy. It was the attraction between her and Chase that might prove more complicated if she didn’t put those ground rules in place from the onset of their trip to San Francisco. As soon as they were alone, that would be the first order of business.
Skye followed her back into the kitchen, her fuzzy slippers scuffling on the tile floor. “You’ll be back next weekend for Zoe and Sean’s wedding on Sunday, right?”
“Are you kidding me?” Valerie grinned, so happy that their Reliance Group coworker, Sean, had managed to fall in love with such an incredible woman as Zoe, who accepted everything about Sean, including his past as a con man. “I wouldn’t miss that celebration for anything.”
A mischievous look glimmered in Skye’s brown eyes. “How about we go dress shopping together before next Sunday, to find something fun to wear to the wedding?”
Valerie was pretty sure that Skye’s version of fun included wearing a sexy, figure-hugging dress that would make Caleb a whole lot crazy with lust. Caleb might have appointed himself Skye’s guardian, but that didn’t stop her from taunting him with what he could have, if he’d just admit to the attraction simmering between the two of them.
“Dress shopping sounds great when I get back.” Valerie glanced at the clock on the wall, noting the time. “But right now, I need to go and pack for the trip and get down to the Onyx to meet up with Chase.”
“Have a good time in San Francisco with your hottie, and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” Skye called after Valerie as she headed toward her bedroom, “Which pretty much leaves the field wide open for you. Oh, and pack your sexy lingerie. You never know if it might come in handy!”
As far as Valerie was concerned, silky, lacy underthings to entice a man, especially Chase, was the very last thing she’d need on this trip.
* * *
When Chase arrived at the security offices a few minutes past one in the afternoon, Valerie was already there waiting for him, talking and laughing with a blond-haired guy sitting in front of a bank of computer screens that monitored the entire casino. But as soon as he entered the room, her gaze lifted and found him, as if his mere presence came with some kind of magnetic pull that demanded her attention.
She certainly attracted his.
She said something to the guy, then headed his way, the pretty coral hue of her blouse complementing her creamy skin tone and the rich color of her silky brown hair. Her casual, flowing skirt swirled around her bare legs and drew his gaze to her firm, shapely calves before he slowly, leisurely, glanced back up and met her gaze.
If she was at all affected by his unabashed perusal, she didn’t show it. Her expression remained neutral, and when she finally reached him, she greeted him warmly enough, but it was apparent to Chase that she was operating on business mode. As if their sizzling hot kiss last night hadn’t registered on her personal Richter scale. Which he knew damn well it had—a 9.0 magnitude shaker at least, the aftershocks of which he was still feeling. All he had to do was touch Valerie to remind her how soft and pliant she’d been against him, how she’d kissed him with such desire and hunger, and shuddered with pleasure.
Unfortunately, she stood just out of reach. A deliberate move on her part, he thought with amusement. He was absolutely certain of that.
She offered him a composed smile. “I’m ready to head to the airport when you are.”
“Soon,” he said, glancing at his wristwatch. “Steven’s curator should be here any minute. He’s stopping by so I can give him the top piece of the cane to keep an eye on while we’re gone.” The collectible was much too valuable for Chase to take along, and until they had another component to the cane, the ivory top was far safer in the
Valerie was certain the case would be that basic and easy. It was the attraction between her and Chase that might prove more complicated if she didn’t put those ground rules in place from the onset of their trip to San Francisco. As soon as they were alone, that would be the first order of business.
Skye followed her back into the kitchen, her fuzzy slippers scuffling on the tile floor. “You’ll be back next weekend for Zoe and Sean’s wedding on Sunday, right?”
“Are you kidding me?” Valerie grinned, so happy that their Reliance Group coworker, Sean, had managed to fall in love with such an incredible woman as Zoe, who accepted everything about Sean, including his past as a con man. “I wouldn’t miss that celebration for anything.”
A mischievous look glimmered in Skye’s brown eyes. “How about we go dress shopping together before next Sunday, to find something fun to wear to the wedding?”
Valerie was pretty sure that Skye’s version of fun included wearing a sexy, figure-hugging dress that would make Caleb a whole lot crazy with lust. Caleb might have appointed himself Skye’s guardian, but that didn’t stop her from taunting him with what he could have, if he’d just admit to the attraction simmering between the two of them.
“Dress shopping sounds great when I get back.” Valerie glanced at the clock on the wall, noting the time. “But right now, I need to go and pack for the trip and get down to the Onyx to meet up with Chase.”
“Have a good time in San Francisco with your hottie, and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” Skye called after Valerie as she headed toward her bedroom, “Which pretty much leaves the field wide open for you. Oh, and pack your sexy lingerie. You never know if it might come in handy!”
As far as Valerie was concerned, silky, lacy underthings to entice a man, especially Chase, was the very last thing she’d need on this trip.
* * *
When Chase arrived at the security offices a few minutes past one in the afternoon, Valerie was already there waiting for him, talking and laughing with a blond-haired guy sitting in front of a bank of computer screens that monitored the entire casino. But as soon as he entered the room, her gaze lifted and found him, as if his mere presence came with some kind of magnetic pull that demanded her attention.
She certainly attracted his.
She said something to the guy, then headed his way, the pretty coral hue of her blouse complementing her creamy skin tone and the rich color of her silky brown hair. Her casual, flowing skirt swirled around her bare legs and drew his gaze to her firm, shapely calves before he slowly, leisurely, glanced back up and met her gaze.
If she was at all affected by his unabashed perusal, she didn’t show it. Her expression remained neutral, and when she finally reached him, she greeted him warmly enough, but it was apparent to Chase that she was operating on business mode. As if their sizzling hot kiss last night hadn’t registered on her personal Richter scale. Which he knew damn well it had—a 9.0 magnitude shaker at least, the aftershocks of which he was still feeling. All he had to do was touch Valerie to remind her how soft and pliant she’d been against him, how she’d kissed him with such desire and hunger, and shuddered with pleasure.
Unfortunately, she stood just out of reach. A deliberate move on her part, he thought with amusement. He was absolutely certain of that.
She offered him a composed smile. “I’m ready to head to the airport when you are.”
“Soon,” he said, glancing at his wristwatch. “Steven’s curator should be here any minute. He’s stopping by so I can give him the top piece of the cane to keep an eye on while we’re gone.” The collectible was much too valuable for Chase to take along, and until they had another component to the cane, the ivory top was far safer in the
Similar Books
