Summer of Love - Carly Phillips Page 0,67

to see them. If he doesn’t take it well, I’ll back off and leave Ryan in peace, but I will look into those keys myself.”

Without warning, she had a flash of the day Uncle Russ had visited her home. “Ari, I just remembered something. Uncle Russ mentioned that the time when Faith ran away was a very chaotic period for the business. Something about truck hijackings,” she said, recalling the conversation. “Also Faith stole money from Uncle Russ. Can you ask Quinn to look into exactly what went down? The official version?”

“You got it. In the meantime, you be careful.” Ari’s voice sobered. “Keep us posted down here and call if you want Connor or Quinn to take a trip to Boston. They’re already in touch with the police there.”

“I will.”

“Love you,” Ari said.

“Back at you,” Zoe replied.

“You know you can test those three little words on your twin before trying them on Ryan.”

“Very funny.” Zoe hung up the phone and leaned back.

Her conversation with Ari had convinced her she was on to something when it came to Uncle Russ. She didn’t have motive for him, but she had a gut feeling, and Zoe trusted her instincts. Enough to make investigating Sam’s keys a priority.

At least that puzzle she had some control over, while her emotions and future provided more of a mystery.

Chapter Eleven

For someone who hadn’t slept well, Zoe awoke early, and she headed straight to the kitchen to brew some strong coffee. As she puttered around and set up the coffeemaker, she tried to be quiet so as not to wake Ryan and Sam.

Morning sunlight set Ryan’s apartment aglow, highlighting the new-looking chrome appliances and dark wood cabinetry. Zoe loved his apartment, which had all the warmth of the man himself and the same amount of mystery. Like just what did he keep in the cabinet above the toaster oven, anyway? Glasses? Plates? Canned goods? And why did she care?

Because wondering about his kitchen helped take her mind off her real problem. How did she tell Ryan about her hunch that his only ally in his entire family might have an agenda where Sam was concerned? Better yet, how did she make him believe her with no proof to back up her claim? Even her twin had doubts.

Zoe wrapped her hand around her coffee cup and took a sip of the hot brew.

“Someone’s up early,” Ryan said as he strode into the kitchen and headed straight for the coffee. His hair was still messed from sleep, and he wore only a pair of jeans slung low on his hips, zipped, but not buttoned.

“I couldn’t sleep.”

And was it any wonder? Between her worries about Sam, her distrust of Uncle Russ and her need for Ryan, her head spun with too many thoughts and concerns. She couldn’t turn to Ryan for comfort because, despite their night together, they both agreed it wasn’t smart to share a bed again with Sam so close by. So, for now, it was hands off, but she couldn’t tear her gaze away from him and the body she’d already learned so well.

He joined her at the table, straddling the chair from behind. “What’s wrong besides all the obvious things?” he asked.

Somehow she managed to laugh. “Would you believe me if I said everything’s fine?”

One side of his mouth lifted in a half grin. “No.”

“I miss you,” she said, her voice low and husky, her meaning obvious.

He reached out and toyed with the lapel of her robe, his fingers dipping below the thin fabric to tease her skin with soft circular caresses. “I miss you, too.”

She leaned forward. He followed until their foreheads touched and their lips were mere inches apart. She sensed his warmth and heat and smelled his musky, morning scent.

They remained connected that way for a long silent moment, so innocent and yet so very sensual. Her heart sped up in her chest, and her pulse pounded in her throat.

Suddenly his lips brushed hers and lingered until she tasted sweetness, longing and temptation.

“Talk to me,” he urged and sat back before Sam could walk in and catch them.

She sighed but knew he was right. Just as she knew she had no choice but to talk about what was on her mind. Drawing a deep breath, she dove right in. “Did you notice anything strange about your uncle’s interest in Sam’s necklace?”

His back and shoulders stiffened. His completely casual stance—and the sense of happiness she’d briefly sensed—fled. “He tried to make her feel welcome