Free Stolen Hearts by Karen Erickson Page A

heard it pop like it sometimes did when he was tense or anxious. That could work. Hell, he could end up looking like a hero. Nice turnaround, no one would get hurt. He’d come out of it all smelling like a rose.
    No . He couldn’t do that to her. He had to come clean. What if she found out later about his true intent, realized he’d been lying to her all along? She’d never forgive him. Hell, he wouldn’t be able to forgive himself.
    But how would she ever find out? Not like anyone would tell her.
    Deciding it might be safe, he peeked around the side of the brick wall and saw the coast was clear. He headed toward the front door of Celeste’s store with hurried steps, throwing open the door so hard the bells jangled wildly.
    Celeste ran out of the back office looking so beautiful his chest actually ached. She wore some sort of black fitted dress with dark tights and black knee-high boots, every inch of her covered except her face and hands but damn she was sexy.
    “Are you all right? I thought you were breaking my door off the hinges.” She pressed a pale hand against her chest, causing his gaze to zero in on the luscious curve of her breasts and he mentally slapped himself.
    He should be freaked out and ready to get the hell out of Dodge but all he could think about was Celeste’s breasts. And her beautiful body, naked beneath his hands. He needed to get a serious grip on his priorities.
    “Sorry, I guess I don’t realize my own strength.” Alex went to her, slipping his arms around her waist, hands resting on her ass. The dress material felt like a sweater, soft and warm to the touch. He smoothed his hands up and down over her lower cheeks, making her purr with excitement. She was so responsive, always seemingly as aroused as he was. “What do you think about going out of town with me for the next few days?”
    Celeste blinked once, twice, her eyelashes moving rapidly. “Are you serious? I have no one to help me run the store if I’m gone. My sister used to work with me but she’s with her fiancé now and my mother has zero interest in coming back here, even for a couple days.”
    He shrugged, trying to ignore the way her flowery scent made his cock hard. “Who says you can’t close the place down for a couple days, take a little vacation?”
    “Well, no one I guess but I, uh, was just getting ready to put an important sales ad in the local paper.” She nibbled on her lower lip, her small white teeth working the full pink flesh, making him crazy with need.
    “Place the ad, have the sale when we get back.” His voice was strained, his entire body taut from wanting to pounce on her.
    “I really need to have it now.” Her gaze lifted, clear blue eyes meeting his. “I’m really anxious to get rid of that diamond bracelet I showed you yesterday.”
    His heart lurched. “Come on, Celeste, let’s get out of here. When was the last time you took some time for yourself?”
    Her eyes narrowed and she stepped out of his embrace. “I don’t know, Alex. This is all happening so fast. We only just met yesterday.”
    “Yeah, I know.” He slipped his hands into his pockets, unsure of what to say next. How to convince her to go with him.
    Come on, man, get real. You were one of the biggest cons back in the day—but those days are gone.
    Alex heaved a big sigh. “What if I told you that you’re in danger if you stay here?”
    Celeste’s eyes widened and her hand went to her chest once again. “What do you mean?”
    “I’m telling you that if you don’t get out of this town with that bracelet, you could be putting yourself and your store at risk.” He kept his expression grim, wanting her to get the seriousness of the situation. He wasn’t lying—but he wasn’t going to tell her the whole truth either.
    He couldn’t. If he did, then he’d have to admit he was a thief. And he didn’t want her to judge him.
    Really didn’t want her to cast him aside either.
    Her hand fluttered up to her mouth,