Kiss Me Awake by Julie Momyer Page A

secrets. On a personal level the revelation was a bombshell, but it didn’t bring him any closer to his objective.
    Did Gale know? He’d briefed Lance on the basics, but when it came to Jaida’s personal life he got the impression that he wasn’t forthcoming. The more information he had on her, the easier this would be.
    There was a rustling sound, and Lanced looked up, a smile catching his mouth. And here she is. The gate clanked shut, and he stood. “Hey there, beautiful.”
    She let out a startled cry. “You scared me to death! What are you doing here?”
    “I was in the neighborhood. Thought I’d stop by.”
    “Lucky for you I wasn’t armed.”
    He looked her up and down, taking in the yellow bikini. “Don’t know where you’d carry a weapon in that.”
    Judging from the look on her face, his comment didn’t go over too well. She dragged the beach towel from her shoulders and worked it over the ends of her wet hair.
    “How’s the water?” he asked.
    “It’s decent. Did you come for a swim?”
    “Maybe. Are you inviting me?” 
    “It’s a free ocean.”
    His company wasn’t expected and it showed. He guessed she didn’t like being caught off-guard and wasn’t big on surprises. Ironic, since he was going to be her biggest surprise yet.
    “Come on inside,” she said. He followed, but before she reached the door he took her by the hand and pulled her into his arms. Her body tensed at his touch. He was losing his in with her. Not good. He needed her to cooperate, and he would rather persuade than demand.
    She pulled away from him. “I’m getting you all wet.” She dabbed her towel at the water spot she left on his navy blue button-up shirt.
    He took it from her, caught hold of her wrist and turning it over he pressed his lips to the delicate skin. “It’s fine. It’ll dry.”
    She shrugged, a silent ‘whatever’ implied. What was up? They had connected. Why was she pulling away from him? She opened the front door and at the crook of her finger he followed her inside.
    And what an inside it was. He looked down at his loafers. The soles of his shoes were tracking dust on the gray-veined, Italian, marble floor…expensive, Italian marble floor.  Did she have a maid too, to sweep it up?
    Vaulted ceilings, custom wrought-iron handrails along the stairs, he took it all in, marveling at the opulence. She disappeared into a hallway at the back of the first floor. Bedroom?
    He edged his way toward that same hall. “Is this a bad time?” he called out then bit down on his tongue the second the words were out of his mouth. Stupid question. What if she said yes?
    Jaida emerged from a doorway off that same hall absent her towel. Must be the laundry room. “Do you want anything to drink?”
    “Coke or Pepsi’s good.” Lance observed the sculpture displayed on a pedestal at the bottom of the stairs. He lifted the porcelain piece and checked the mark on the bottom, the white patina catching the light. He was no art aficionado, but he knew enough to determine the piece was not a cheap reproduction. Everything was top shelf. He carefully set it back down. No yard-sale junkie lived here.
    He did another quick scan of the living area and mentally calculated the cost of the furnishings. It was just an estimate, not exact figures, still he winced at the sum. He didn’t think it was possible, but maybe she could blow eight and a half million that quick.
    His chest tightened in what was the nearest thing to work-related stress he’d experienced to date. Gale expected his money, at least the majority of it. If Jaida owned this house outright it was likely all gone, every penny.
    He startled at her sudden presence then composed himself. She handed him a full glass with the ice still crackling. “So, this is your place?” he asked then took a drink of the soda.
    Jaida looked it over as though seeing it for the first time then nodded, an odd look in her eyes. “Do you like it?” 
    “I heard you had a nice