“Funny, I could say the same for you.”
“You don’t even know me.” It was hard to control the urge to run as he followed her from the bedroom and down the stairs.
“I know enough.”
He sounded all smug about it, and it took her until she reached her briefcase to decide if she wanted to hear anything more he had to say. Curiosity got the better of her as she locked the fasteners and stood. “Like what?”
“I know you need the money.”
Her fingers tightened around the handle of her briefcase while she fought a wave of embarrassment that he knew she was flat-assed broke. “You snooped through my stuff.”
“You snooped through my house.”
She opened her mouth to retort, but snapped it shut again. Without another word, she brushed past him to yank open the front door.
“Too bad you didn’t find anything Jack will be willing to pay for.”
She spun back to face him as he stood with his hands shove
d in the front pockets of his jeans like this was just some casual conversation instead of a criminal accusation. “That’s the second time you said something like that. What the hell would he pay me for?”
“Weaseling your way in here.” His gaze swept downward with a deliberate smirk, and he leaned forward as if to tell her a secret. “If you’d have been nicer upstairs, I might’ve let you take a peek in my office.”
Genuine confusion overrode the urge to smack his handsome face. “And why would I want to do that?”
He shrugged. “To get a look at my computer.”
She frowned and cast her gaze past him to take in the great room. Was he a software developer like her ex? Is that how he knew Jackson?
As she shifted her attention back to his face, more puzzle pieces fell into place. Realization flowed through her and left a horrible tingle in its wake. “You think I arranged last night and tonight so I could gain access to something you’re designing in order to give that information to Jackson.”
Those magical lips of his curved in a smile that didn’t even come close to reaching his eyes. The effect gave her a chill that had nothing to do with the cool air rushing in through the open door.
“For someone who had no clue, you hit the bulls-eye dead center.”
She swallowed hard at a sudden, unexpected flood of hurt that accompanied his confirmation. Frickin’ Jackson. Her gaze wavered from Dean’s as she blinked against the burning sensation in her eyes.
With a shake of her head, she walked out without another word.
Chapter 6
Unease coiled through Dean’s gut as he watched her leave. He could’ve sworn her surprise was legitimate when he mentioned Jack’s name, and yet she didn’t say a word to deny or defend herself against his accusation.
He probably shouldn’t have said anything.
His disquiet intensified as he flipped the lock on the front door and retreated to the kitchen for the dinner plate Liz had left in the refrigerator for him. As the shrimp linguine heated in the microwave, he leaned back against the counter and relived those moments in his bedroom.
What was it about that auburn-haired woman that could wipe everything else from his brain except how good she felt in his arms? It certainly wasn’t because he was starved for sex. It may have been a little longer than Mike would guess since he’d been with a woman, but that was by choice. Right now, his business was more important than getting laid.
Except, just the thought of Gina Allen’s gorgeous violet eyes and silky smooth thighs sent heat spiraling through him. He shoved away from the counter to yank open the silverware drawer for a fork. Once the microwave dinged, he carried his plate into his office.
After a couple bites of the pasta, he let his fork clatter onto the dish and pushed it aside. Then he reached over and jabbed the speed dial button for his VP.
“Hey, man,” Mike answered. “Everything okay? You hung up pretty quick earlier.”
“Your sister opted to text me on her way out the door that my six o’clock appointment had arrived.”
“So?”