Free Hard As Ice (Fortis Series 1) by Raven Scott Page B

obvious choice,” she asked, spearing the final slice of tuna, grilled rare to perfection.
    “It was my suggestion to the board. I wasn’t sure I was the right choice, to be honest. I have a few other business interests that need to be sorted,” he explained. “So I asked for an eighteen-month interim period to decide.”
    “Have you ever wanted to do anything else?” Nia asked.
    “No, not really. I was raised to believe that the most important thing a man could do was protect his family and his country, and to ensure justice is served. That’s why my father started his company. So it’s an honor to continue his legacy.”
    “That’s great.”
    Evan nodded, though he seemed a little embarrassed by his passionate declaration.
    “Come, let’s go for a walk,” he suggested.

Chapter 6
    Within a few minutes, the check was paid and Evan was helping Nia into her trench coat. It was almost eight o’clock and the air outside had chilled a bit as the sun was starting to set. Without thought, he laced his fingers through hers and started a leisurely stroll down the busy downtown street.
    Evan was familiar with the neighborhood, and remembered a small café a few blocks down the way. It seemed like a good spot to sit for a bit and have coffee, maybe share a dessert. As they continued walking in silence, he studied their dinner conversation in his head, trying to determine his next move. It was uncomfortable to realize that the evening was feeling less and less like an assignment.
    Damn, she was gorgeous. That dress was made for her body, teasing him to unzip the back like a candy wrapper. Even now, side by side in silence, he felt her energy. The touch of their skin created a low hum of arousal at the base of his spine, messing with his breathing. As though testing him, Nia brushed her thumb along his wrist and his traitorous cock twitched.
    But that was chemistry, biology, male instinct. Evan knew it was a complication that could work to his advantage on the case if he was smart about it. It wasn’t the real problem.
    Evan looked over at her profile, noting she was deep in thought. He wondered what she was mulling over. Their conversation? Or the investigation at work? He immediately wanted to say something funny, to see that wicked smile return to her lips. Watch the lights sparkle in those sexy, feline eyes.
    He liked her. That was the problem, and it was ridiculously unprofessional. Everything they knew so far about the burglary pointed to her as an inside man. And the circumstantial evidence was mounting by the day. There was nothing about her he should like.
    “Coffee?” he suggested as they approached the café.
    “Sure,” Nia replied.
    He opened the door for her. It was a quaint Brazilian shop. Evan made a habit of finding similar spots in almost every city he visited. With his ancestral roots in a coffee plantation, it was an indulgence from his upbringing that he never gave up.
    At the counter, he ordered an espresso, and Nia asked for a latte. Evan then talked her into trying a small chocolate cake ball called a brigadeiro. They took a seat near the window with a view of the street. Samba music played softly in the background.
    “This is a nice place,” she noted as they enjoyed their purchases.
    “Yeah, I found it the last time I was in town,” Evan replied.
    “Are you in Boston often?”
    “A few times over the last year. Not much prior to that. We have a few partners and subcontractor firms based here.”
    “How long are you here for this visit?”
    He knew what she was asking. How long would this thing between them likely last. Evan couldn’t tell what answer she was hoping for. His instincts said she wasn’t really looking for a long-term commitment, from him or any other man. He wondered why a gorgeous, sensual woman would choose to be unattached.
    “That depends,” he replied cryptically.
    “On?” probed Nia.
    “On you.”
    “Why?”
    Evan smiled. She was always so direct. He liked