Free Layers Crossed by Lacey Silks Page A

and
headed to the kitchen. Of course Allie and Kendra followed me with
more dishes. I knew they wanted the scoop.
    “He’s hot,
Emma,” Kendra said.
    “Really? I
hadn’t noticed,” I chuckled.
    “Don’t pay any
attention to your brothers. I think they’re more concerned about
Eric getting in your pants than the dangers of the case. And he
seems like the kind of guy you should be into. So polite and
courteous.”
    “Well, I hope
they keep out of my private business and let me do the job they
entrusted me with.”
    “Then you’ll
be hoping all your life. Stop caring about what they think and use
your gut,” Allie said. “And did you see those arms? Jesus!”
    “Julian hit
the boxing ring for the first time in weeks as soon as I asked him
about your case,” Kendra added.
    “Emma, you
need to make him take his shirt off in front of the guys.” Allie
turned on the water, somewhat camouflaging our whispers.
    “You’re both
married. And stop gawking at him like that.”
    “Like what?”
They both kept peeking back toward the dining room.
    “Like you want
him to mount you from behind.”
    “Oh, Emma. We
have your brothers to do that for us. But looking at that fine
specimen is definitely good for the sex drive.”
    “Eeww. I don’t
want to know more.” I raised my hands, not bothering to dry them,
and headed out, “I hope you don’t mind, but we have a busy day
tomorrow, and it’s time to pack. Do you need a ride to your hotel?”
I asked Eric.
    “Thank you,
but I brought my rental.”
    “Good, then
you can leave it here. I’ll have someone drive it for you the way I
promised, and I can drop you off at your hotel on my way home.”
    A hint of
nerves covered Eric’s face, but he turned to me saying, “Well, I
can already see that Cross Enterprises delivers more than it
promises. Thank you, Emma.”
    I kissed my
parents good night and dismissed the questioning looks from my
brothers. At this point, I couldn’t care less what they were
thinking about me or Eric, because I had a case to solve. And no
one was going to stop me.

     
    C HAPTER 8
    Eric
    I gripped the
arm rest of my seat. How in the world did I let this woman get me
on a plane?
    “It’ll be
quicker this way.” Her words stung my ears because I’d rather spend
ten hours in a car with her than two on a plane, twenty thousand
feet above earth, without soil under my feet. And why in the world
was I feeling weak in my knees? Maybe because as odd as it might
have sounded, I’d never been on a plane before, let alone on a
luxury private jet suitable for the President himself. From leather
seats to couches and tables – the bathroom had a frickin’ shower
and marble counter tops! Most people lacked half of those
accommodations on ground.
    “Ease up
there, Cowboy, or you’ll rip these off.” She touched my hand,
gently uncoiling my fingers, and my grip loosened as if on command.
Her soft palm was so small compared to my large hand, yet so strong
and caring and full of confidence. I’d never seen a woman with so
much poise.
    “Why do you
keep calling me Cowboy?” I asked.
    “Aren’t you
one? I’m very perceptive. It comes with the job. And if you tell me
you’re not, then that means you’ve hired the wrong person.” She
grinned with certainty glowing through her eyes, knowing very well
that I was a cowboy.
    “I am. I guess
the hat and ranch and all would have been a clue,” I teased,
slightly letting go of the flying nerves. “Not quite the city slick
boys you’re used to dealing with, am I?”
    I wasn’t ready
for her next words. To say they surprised me would be the
understatement of the century. Emma Cross seemed to shock me more
often than I was used to.
    “No, you’re
definitely not. You’re much better.” The hunger in her eyes was the
same as the day we’d met at the strip club. She leaned in closer,
her eyes nearly begging me to take her right on that seat. I might
not have been a private investigator, but I knew a