I was totally going to fall for this guy. Danger, danger.
“Hungry?” I asked.
“Yeah.”
“I’ll order takeout. There’s a great Chinese place around the corner.” Man, I hoped billionaires liked Chinese food.
“Sounds great.”
I pressed a kiss to his chest and pushed up.
I grabbed my robe and wrapped it around my body. When I looked back, he was watching me. His gaze said he liked what he saw.
He was sprawled there in my bed, looking all golden, like a well-satisfied lion.
I escaped, telling myself that I should be guarding my heart more carefully. I rummaged through the drawers in the kitchen and found the takeout menu. Snatching up my cell phone, I placed the order.
Mmm, I needed some fried rice. The thought immediately reminded me of Erica. My friend loved fried rice, and we’d often gorged on it when we’d had sleepovers. Then I thought of Jake.
A shot of guilt closed my throat. I’d just had amazing sex, and was spending time with Liam, planning to eat Chinese. I pressed a hand to the counter and dragged in a breath. Meanwhile, Erica and Jake were suffering, and having a horrible time.
Tonight, I was going to find that lockbox. I would work it all out, dammit. I’d lure Doyle out and get Jake back, get those photos for Liam, and then watch Nexus go down.
“Hey.” Liam appeared. “You look way too serious for a woman who just had two orgasms.”
He was shirtless, just in his suit pants. My mouth watered. This was my favorite look of his.
He rounded the tiny island and pulled me into his arms. “You keep looking at me like that, it’ll be three times.”
I rested my forehead against his chest and slid my arms around him. “I’m just worried about Jake. And feeling guilty that I’m enjoying you while he’s a prisoner, and Erica is pregnant, alone, and hanging on by a thread.”
Liam hugged me tighter. “We’re going to get him back. I’m here to help.”
I looked up. “I’m not used to having help.”
He gave me a dry look. “I would never have guessed. You’re frighteningly competent, and wade in to help everybody.”
This time, I kissed him. The man tasted better than that super expensive wine of his.
Things were getting heated. He groaned, I thrust my hands into his golden hair.
Suddenly, I heard a key in the front door lock, and the murmur of voices.
Oh. Crap.
The door started to open.
“Get down,” I hissed.
His eyebrows shot up. “What?”
“Down.” I gripped his hips and urged him downward.
He dropped into a crouch behind the island.
Juno, Briar, and my mother spilled inside. My lungs froze. Oh, God.
“Hi.” I tried to sound casual, but my voice came out sounding like a strangled cat.
They all looked my way, shedding their coats.
“I thought you guys were out until late.” I looked at Mom. “Hi, Mom.”
“Hi, baby.”
“The art show was a dud,” Juno declared.
“Totally,” Bri agreed. “A monkey could do better. It was shitwaffle.”
“It was not what I’d hoped for.” Mom blew me a kiss, then carefully hung her coat on the hook by the door.
The twins eyed my robe and frowned.
“Why are you home?” Briar asked.
“And why are you in your robe?” Juno followed up.
“Oh, well…” At that moment, Liam stroked a hand up the back of my leg. Sensation skidded through me and I kicked him lightly. “My case is crazy. I was tired and I had some time, so I caught a quick nap. I need to head out again tonight.”
And find a way to sneak my billionaire lover out of the apartment.
The twins both stared at me suspiciously.
“You look…different,” Juno said.
“Yes, relaxed or something.” Briar tapped her lips. “And you never look relaxed.”
I made a scoffing sound.
“She has sex hair,” my mom stated.
Oh, crap. I heard Liam’s quiet snort and kicked him again. His hands skimmed higher up my leg, sliding under my robe.
Damn, that felt good. No, Aspen. Focus.
“Aspen, spill.” Juno demanded. “What’s going on?”
The three of them moved closer.
“Stop.” I held up a hand. “I… I…” Come on, I was a PI. I was usually quick on my feet.
Liam rose. “I found my contact lens.”
My gut coiled into a teeny, tiny ball.
My mom and sisters froze like statues. They didn’t move, except that their eyes widened.
“Um…” I pushed my hair back. “This is…”
“Liam Kensington,” Briar breathed.
There went my slim hope that they wouldn’t recognize him.
“It’s a pleasure to meet Aspen’s family.” He shot them his million-dollar smile.
Briar made a sound. My mother gave a little sigh. Juno just stared, mouth hanging open.
“Liam