Paul gave a noncommittal grunt. “She claims she’s only planning on sticking around for two weeks.” He paused, assessing how much damage would be done during that span.
“That’s what we agreed to. I tried to convince her to stay for a month, but she’s determined to go. She doesn’t like staying anywhere for more than a few months.”
“What’s up with that?”
“I don’t know. She doesn’t talk much about herself.”
Paul considered his earlier conversation with Lia. “You don’t think that indicates she has something to hide?” While he waited for Ethan to respond, Paul relived his joy in Grady’s affectionate greeting. The thought of losing his grandfather’s love and approval all over again filled Paul with dread. “Okay, I really hate the situation, but I agree that she’s had a positive impact on Grady. As long as it’s only two weeks, I’m okay if she stays around and pretends to be Ava’s daughter.”
“Thanks.” Ethan released the word on a long exhale as if he’d been holding his breath. “And don’t worry, we’ve figured out an exit strategy. It’s all going to work out. You’ll see.”
“Both of you keep saying the same thing. I hope like hell that you’re right.”
“We are.” Ethan’s smile came through loud and clear. “And be nice to Lia. She’s doing us a huge favor.”
After he’d hung up with Ethan, Paul chewed over his brother’s final statement as he tossed what clothes he’d need for the next two weeks into a duffel. No one would question his decision to stay at the estate. His office was a few blocks away. He’d slept in the carriage house often since Grady’s stroke and even before that had utilized the cozy apartment to break for a nap during an intense case when an hour-long round-trip drive to his beach house was time he couldn’t afford.
Paul dropped his overnight bag in the foyer and returned to the great room in search of Lia. He looked out the window and saw her standing beside the pool, her arms crossed over her chest, her attention fixed on the Atlantic Ocean. She’d freed her hair and the brisk wind off the water turned the dark strands into a fluttering pennant. He went out to join her.
“I’ve never been able to decide if I prefer the mountains or the beach,” she said, her lips curving into a smile. “I guess that’s why I travel so much. There are always new places to discover.”
Her tranquil expression transfixed him. He surveyed the freckles dusting her nose and upper cheeks and wondered what about her captivated him. Was it the thrill of the hunt? He’d parlayed his passion for tracking down cybercriminals into a multimillion-dollar company. Lia presented the exact sort of mystery that drove him to work seventy-and eighty-hour weeks to keep his clients’ data safe.
And yet here he was, compelled to accept a suspicious stranger as his cousin in order to save his grandfather. Despite Ethan’s assurances, Paul knew Lia represented a danger to his family.
So with that foremost in his mind, why did he constantly find himself fighting the urge to touch her? To sample the warmth of her skin. To pull her tight against him and capture her rosy lips in a heated kiss. This unrelenting war between his body and mind was as exhausting as it was troubling.
Had she influenced Ethan the same way? From their earlier conversation Ethan made it clear he trusted Lia. Before she came along, Paul never questioned his brother’s judgment. What was it about Lia that roused Paul’s suspicions?
“I think my brother might be in love with you.”
“What?” She tore her attention from the view and huffed out a laugh. “That’s ridiculous.”
“Is it?” Paul countered. “He’s very protective of you.”
“That’s because he likes me.” Lia turned and studied his expression for several seconds before adding, “I’m a nice person.”
Paul’s nostrils flared. “Are you sleeping with him?”
“He’s my client,” she shot back. “I don’t sleep with clients.”
“But you’re attracted to him?”
“He has an incredible body,” she mused, with reckless disregard for his escalating annoyance. “Great muscles. Shoulders to die for. Strong thighs.” She paused as if taking stock of the impact her words were having. “And as a massage therapist I have to say it’s nice when a man takes such good care of his skin.”
“So you are attracted to him?”
Lia gave an impatient snort. “Ethan has impeccable manners, a deep, sexy drawl and an overabundance of charm. That I’m not the least
bit attracted to him made my coworkers—of both sexes—question my sexual orientation. I’m a professional. I never would’ve kept Ethan as a client if he’d inspired even a trace of lust. That sort of thing crosses a line for me.”
“You forget I’ve seen you two together. There’s something between you.”
“He’s felt comfortable enough with me to share stuff,” she murmured.
“There’s more to it than that.”
“No, there isn’t,” Lia declared impatiently before sucking in a deep, calming breath. “Look,” she said, giving her shoulders a little shake to relax them. “I feel as if we’re dancing around something.”