of my last boss.”
“The dickhead ex?”
She nodded. “He was my boss’ cousin.”
His voice dropped. “I’m not your ex, Haven, and I don’t care how many stupid excuses you throw between us.”
The biggest one was the one she wouldn’t tell him. That deep down, something in her knew that Rhys Norcross had the power to hurt her far worse than Leo Becker ever had. Oh, Rhys would never hit her, but her heart… Nope. She couldn’t withstand whatever pain he would inflict.
She pushed him back and hopped off the table, shoving her skirt down.
Adult, be an adult, Haven. She made herself look at him.
God, those lips. And his scent—he always smelled like sandalwood and pine.
“That shouldn’t have happened,” she persisted.
He crossed his muscular arms over his chest. “It should. And it should happen again.”
Damn, if he touched her again, her willpower would crumble like tissue paper. She was so weak when it came to him.
“No.” She held up her hand, channeling some of Gia’s attitude.
“You’re going to have to do better with the excuses than Easton and Gia.” Rhys cocked his head, a lock of dark-brown hair flopping over his forehead.
Oh, her hand itched to brush it away, or sink her hands into it and climb him like a…
Focus, Haven. “I’ve sworn off men.”
He blinked. “What?”
“Men. I’m done.” She made a chopping motion with her hand. “From now on, I’m flying solo, and getting my life back on track. I have no room for you.”
He arched a brow. “Were you just here for that kiss?”
Haven decided it was best to stay quiet.
“You know what would’ve happened if we’d kept going?” His voice lowered to a deep, sexy murmur.
Haven fought back a shiver. “Don’t—”
“I would have finally gotten my hands under that tight skirt that hugs your ass and makes my mouth go dry.”
She sucked in a breath.
“I would have pushed you onto your back, splayed you on my table, and torn whatever scrap of silk or lace you’re wearing as panties.”
Her body was alive, heat washing through her. She closed her eyes.
“I would’ve touched your sweet pussy, then gotten my mouth on you. Had you writhing until you came on my tongue, screaming my name.”
Oh. God. She was not strong enough to fight this. She wanted all that, and more.
She opened her eyes. “Rhys—”
His cell phone rang.
They stared at each other, then he yanked it out and answered.
“Sax, tell me you have good news.” A pause, then Rhys cursed. “He won’t talk, even with some persuasion?” A second later, Rhys grunted. “He’s scared of someone. Yeah, okay, keep me posted.” He ended the call, his gaze coming back to her.
Haven twisted her hands together. “Nothing?”
“No.”
“He probably has nothing to do with the theft of the Water Lilies,” she said.
She got a grunt in response, and Rhys took a step toward her. “We aren’t finished.”
Her pulse leaped.
Then his phone rang again. This time, he muttered a string of curses. “Norcross.” Another pause. “Yeah, talk.”
Well, it looked like the universe had thrown her a bone. She’d been saved from making a huge mistake with Rhys by the phone.
She wondered why she felt so disappointed.
“Okay, see you there,” Rhys’ face was set in serious lines.
Haven licked her lips. “What now?”
“A contact might have info on the painting.”
Her lungs locked. “That’s great. Who is he?”
“A dealer.”
“What’s his name? I might know him.”
“You don’t.”
“Rhys, the art world is my area. I know loads of people.”
“He’s a black-market dealer.”
She gasped. “A thief? You hang out with thieves?”
He snatched up his car keys. “I have a varied list of people who give me information. Now, come on, I’ll drop you home.”
“Oh no, hotshot investigator.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “I’m coming with you.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
His brows drew together. “No.”
“Yes.” She wasn’t going to be left behind to sit around and wring her hands. She sucked at hand wringing.
Chapter Five
As Rhys pulled up to the seedy bar in Potrero Hill, he wondered how the fuck he’d let her talk him into this.
He’d stopped by the office and swapped his Mercedes for an SUV. He parked the X6 on a side street, and glanced Haven’s way. There was a shine of excitement on her bruised face.
Shit, she was here because he couldn’t say no to her. He saw that she needed this. Needed to help in some way.
He got out and circled the car. He’d changed out of his suit into jeans, a T-shirt, and boots. This wasn’t a suit kind of place.
“No talking, stay beside me,” he warned her.
She