Free Spontaneous by Brenda Jackson Page B

Duan.”
    Kim chuckled. “I just bet they are, but I had a rough week at work and the flight was a long one and I want to rest up a bit. So, we’ll see you in the morning.” Turning to Edward, she said, “It was nice meeting you, Edward.”
    “Same here, Kim.” He glanced over at Duan. “And you, too.”
    Duan almost laughed at that. “Likewise, Edward,” he said with a serious expression.
    Duan and Kim were about to walk out the door when Edward called out, “Sorry, Duan, but you didn’t say what you did for a living.”
    Duan wondered what business it was of Villarosas’s, but answered, “Yes, I did, but you weren’t here at the time. I’m an ex-cop turned private investigator.”
    Villarosas’s brows lifted. “In Key West?”
    Duan smiled. “No, in Atlanta.”
    Villarosas wasn’t quick enough to hide the startled look in his eyes. And Duan could just imagine the questions rolling around in the man’s mind right about now.
    “And you didn’t say what you did for a living, Edward,” Duan ventured.
    Again Villarosas seemed taken aback that Duan would question him about anything. He hesitated a moment before saying, “I’m retired.”
    “Oh, I see.” Duan placed his hand in the center of Kim’s back and they continued out the door.
     
    K IM WALKED INTO THE hotel room and tossed her purse on the sofa. She wished she could read Duan’s thoughts. He had been quiet during most of the car ride from her mother’s and she wanted to know what he was thinking.
    She doubted it was obvious to her mother, whose inability to read people was legendary, but it hadn’t gone unnoticed by her that Duan had taken an immediate dislike to Edward and she wondered why.
    She glanced over at Duan and noticed him looking around the room. After they had picked up a rental car, they had come here directly from the airport but onlylong enough to drop off their luggage before heading over to her mother’s place. Now they were back and he was checking things out.
    The suite had a separate sitting room with a sofa that pulled out to a bed. There was a spacious bath with a hot tub and the bedroom area had a king-size bed. There was no doubt in her mind that she and Duan would be sharing that bed.
    “I have an idea what you’re thinking, Duan,” she said.
    It was then that he glanced over at her. “I doubt very seriously that you do. But if you want to take a stab at it, then go ahead and tell me.”
    “You’re probably wondering what the hell you’re doing here, and wishing you were someplace else.”
    He looked down at the carpeted floor and then lifted his gaze back to hers. “I’m alone in this hotel room with you, with a king-size bed, and you think I’d rather be someplace else?”
    She released an exasperated laugh. “Be serious, Duan.”
    He stared at her for a moment. “I am serious when it comes to you, me and the bed.”
    She nodded. “And how serious are you about Edward? I could tell you don’t like him. Why?”
    Duan moved across the room to stand in front of Kim. She had asked a good question, and maybe it would be best for all concerned if he answered it. To be fair to the man, he hadn’t planned to tell her what he suspecteduntil he had something concrete, not speculation. But Kim was very observant, and it would be best for the investigation if he leveled with her now and hoped she would understand and not blow his cover. “Duan?”
    “We need to talk.” He reached out and took her hand in his and gently led her toward the couch. She sat beside him and he saw the curiosity in her eyes.
    Her hand tightened on his. “What is it, Duan?”
    He muttered a silent curse. He would tell her, but he would also make sure she understood that although Villarosas might think Duan was onto him, it was important to keep him guessing. Duan had long ago discovered that a man with something to hide would begin messing up if he thought he had a reason to look over his shoulder.
    He pulled in a deep breath and