The Mogul and the Muscle - Claire Kingsley Page 0,58
in her hands. “But I like pretending none of it exists.”
“Are you referring to the fish in your bed, or the sex last night? Because I have to be honest, I’m hoping you mean the fish.”
“I don’t mean the sex, although maybe we should talk about that too.”
I loved seeing the hint of a smile on her lips when she looked at me. “It’s a better topic.”
“I don’t usually do that,” she said. “And I’m not one of those women who says I never do this on a first date but really I do it all the time. I mean it.”
The cheese was nicely melted, so I took the pan off the heat. “I know.”
“I actually wasn’t sure if you liked me. That way, at least.”
I raised my eyebrows. “Are you kidding?”
“No. I didn’t think you disliked me. But last week after the hit and run you kissed my forehead, and I had myself convinced it was a pity kiss and you didn’t have any sexual feelings for me.”
“Was that what had you so upset at Mordecai’s?”
She bit her bottom lip. “You noticed that?”
I pulled out two plates and dished up portions of the eggs. “Most of the time you have an excellent game face, but yes, I could tell something was wrong. And it wasn’t a pity kiss. It was my attempt to keep from ravaging you on your kitchen island.”
Her mouth twitched. “What stopped you?”
“I wasn’t sure if you liked me.”
She laughed. “What are we, thirteen? I guess I should have dropped a do you like me, check yes or no note on your desk. Where are the forks?”
“It might have helped.” I pointed to a drawer. “Forks are in there.”
I set the plates on the island while Cameron poured me a cup of coffee. Then we sat down on the tall stools.
She took a bite and moaned before the fork even left her mouth. “Mm, this is so good.”
“Thanks. The trick to good scrambled eggs is the low heat. You cook them slow and don’t add anything until the end, not even salt and pepper. If you add anything too soon, it breaks down the proteins and they get rubbery.”
“Wow. I’m guessing you didn’t learn that in the Marines.”
I shook my head. “Food Network.”
“Well, now that we have food, serious topic: What do I do about the fact that someone broke into my house without a trace last night?”
“Two things. First, I’m staying at your place for the time being.”
She picked up her coffee. “Wow, you get in my pants once and you think we’re shacking up? Bold move, Ellis.”
“Don’t you have eight guest rooms?”
“Six. But I hear the master suite is getting a brand-new mattress. It might be more comfortable for you.”
I was trying to stick to business, but she was making it difficult. And making me hard. “Is that an invitation?”
“It might be. You’re a good cook, but your coffee’s mediocre. I’m still deciding.”
“I ride a motorcycle. Does that tip the scales in my favor?”
“God yes,” she said, her eyes rolling back. “I should have known I’d end up sleeping with you the first time I saw you on that thing.”
“So sleeping arrangements to be determined, but I’m not leaving you alone there. Second, I’m going to figure out how someone got in. I need to talk to everyone who has a code.”
“You think it was an inside job?”
“I know you don’t want to think someone you trust enough to have access to your home would do this to you, but the fact is, whoever it was didn’t break in. That means they were either let in, or they had the code to unlock your door and disable the alarm.”
“No one was there to let someone in. Nicholas and Inda left before I went to Luna’s. Bert wasn’t there yesterday, and I can’t even fathom him doing something like this. You’re welcome to interrogate my friends, but if you do, I have to be there, because I want to see them chew you up and spit you out.”
“I have no doubt they will, but I’m still going to ask them some questions. What about your cleaning service?”
“They’re very reputable.”
“All it takes is a little money. Someone could have slipped some cash to one of the cleaning people.”
“It’s possible, I suppose.” She took a sip of coffee. “I wish I knew why they were doing this. None of it makes sense.”
She was right about that. The only pattern was that there wasn’t one.