Free Exposing the Heiress by Jennifer Apodaca Page A

in.
    “I didn’t think to bring cash with us. Sorry. I’ll pay you back at the house.”
    Hunt set down his drink and taco and shoved up his shades. “For two tacos and a drink?”
    “Plus yours.” She threw it off, not really paying attention. “These are so good.” Closing her mouth around another bite, her eyelids drifted shut and she let out a tiny sound.
    A moan.
    Damn. That was hot, but wait, she was distracting him. “That what you usually do?”
    She grabbed a paper napkin and wiped her lips. “Eat like this? No, but man I have to find tacos like this back home.”
    “Alyssa.”
    She stopped halfway into another bite.
    He could feel her eyes on his, questioning. “Do you pay for everyone else around you?” Like that bastard she’d been engaged to?
    Her eyebrows drew together over her sunglasses. “Nate liked flashing the company credit card, so not really. Although I usually reimbursed the company if our meals were private, but…” She shook her head, clearing some memory. “Anyway, this is different.”
    “Damn right. You are one of mine and you don’t pay me back for a couple tacos.”
    Her tongue darted out as she licked her lips then said, “One of your what?”
    Hunt finished off his first taco, and eyed her. “Friends. The kind I drop everything to protect.” That clear enough for her?
    Her face broke into a huge smile. “Hmm, so who else is on this list?”
    Hunt rolled his eyes yet his guts twanged at her very real grin. “Well, my boss Adam has a couple dogs. They are both on the list. But you’re right below them.”
    “Ha ha. I’m not sure you’re on any of my lists.”
    The mood from earlier in his kitchen had lightened, and he was glad to see her having fun. “I’m on your Hot Guy Crush list.”
    “You just fell below the dude who made these tacos.” She picked up her second one and bit into it. “Oh yeah.”
    His blood heated and raced south. When the hell had watching a woman eat messy tacos become sexy? She had a tiny spot on her lip and he itched to lick it off.
    She glanced around. “You know what I like?”
    “Me. We’ve established that. And FYI, I can kick taco guy’s ass so he drops below me on your Hot Guy Crush list.” He was only half joking. The idea of her crushing on any other man annoyed him.
    Alyssa laughed. “Until you make tacos like this? You’re second. He’s first.”
    “Nope, I’m first. I brought you here. You’d never have known about these tacos if I hadn’t shown you.” He leaned forward. “You’re the only person I’ve ever brought here. Put me back at number one.” He heard himself, felt the dumbass grin tugging his mouth. She brought out a side of him he hadn’t seen in years.
    “That’s a coveted position, Marine. You want it, you’re going to have to earn your way in.”
    This woman had been featured in magazines as one of the most beautiful executives, but those pictures didn’t hold a candle to her now. The wind and helmet had teased pieces of hair from her braid, her skin was slightly wind burned, his black leather jacket had bulked her up, and she was gorgeous. “I’m first, cover girl. We both know it.” He pushed his empty box away and wiped his hands. “Now tell me what you like?”
    After taking a drink of her tea, she said, “I like that no one’s here to be seen. No one cares what everyone else looks like. They really do leave us alone.” She shoved up her sunglasses, her eyes connecting with his. “Is that why you haven’t shown anyone else this place? You like the solitude?”
    Ah, she had been listening. “Come on, I’ll show you. This is where you can take some pictures.”
    …
    Alyssa took his hand and followed Hunt along a rocky, steep trail leading down. The scent of the ocean, foliage, and damp earth surrounded them. When they stopped at the edge of a cliff overlooking the ocean, Alyssa caught her breath. Jagged rocks led down to foamy water. In one spot, rocks stretched out into the ocean