Quest for Love: Los Angeles Armstrongs 1 (The Armstrongs Book 7) by Jessica Gray

babe.” Then he proceeded to nibble on her earlobe, and blood rushed to her face. Whether because of the naughty compliment or the excruciatingly delicious nibbling on her earlobe, she didn’t know. And didn’t care. All she cared about was the fire his touch had sparked in her.
    Linda was so caught up in Chuck’s expert teasing of her body, it took several moments for the sounds of an arriving sports car to register in her brain. When it did, she went from consumed with lust to consumed with fear and anxiety. She jerked away from Chuck, scrambling off his lap and landing on the floor in a heap of legs and arms in her haste.
    “What’s wrong?” he said with a shocked face.
    “My mother.” Linda was panting; panic was quickly overtaking her ability to function. “She’s home.”
    Chuck looked at her and then cursed beneath his breath. He stood up and straightened his clothing, pushing his hands through his hair. “Linda…”
    “No! I can’t do it. I can’t face her. Not now.” If her mother saw her like this, she’d exactly know what had happened. Linda laughed hysterically. Wasn’t it ironic, that the man who’d turned down the iconic actress would make out with the ugly duckling? But then she sobered. Evangelina considered Chuck her booty, and she’d surely not be amused that he’d favored Linda over her.
    “Please, don’t tell her,” she pleaded.
    “Don’t worry, sweetheart.” His eyes looked at her with so much love her heart fluttered, despite the terror still coursing through her veins.
    He helped her up and gave her one last calming kiss. “Everything will be alright.”
    I love you , she wanted to whisper, but instead she leaned her head against his shoulder. It was much too early to admit to love.

Chapter 18
    Chuck walked out of the room and headed down the stairs. Linda was exaggerating – her mother might be unbelievably conceited, but she wasn’t an evil person. He’d talk to her like adults did and she’d understand.
    Evangelina was checking her fan mail in the foyer as he reached the hallway. “Good afternoon Ev. May we talk for a moment?”
    “You found the thief?” she inquired, looking him up and down as if he were on the menu.
    He ignored her blatant attempts to flirt with him and followed her into the front sitting room. “I have discovered what happened.”
    “You found them?” Her voice pitched itself a tone higher.
    “Not exactly. Unfortunately, the statues have been destroyed. Linda took them.”
    “What? Are you insane? What kind of bullshit are you trying to pull here? You couldn’t find anyone else to blame, so you blame my daughter?” Evangelina shot daggers at him and if a glance could kill, he’d be dead by now.
    Chuck breathed deeply before he continued with as much calm as he could muster, “I know this is very upsetting for you. Maybe you want to sit down for a moment.”
    She took three measured steps toward him and put her flaming red-varnished fingernail on his chest. “I. Do. Not. Need. To. Sit. Down.”
    “Linda confessed to have taken your Oscars. You and she have some problems you need to work, through.” Chuck wasn’t sure if it had been wise to add that last sentence, but he’d wanted to defend Linda for her deed. It was as much Ev’s fault as Linda’s that this whole mess had happened.
    He observed the actress while she processed his words and, much to his surprise, nothing happened. No temper tantrum. No shouting or cursing. Nothing. It was frightening. He noticed the exact moment Ev acknowledged he was telling her the truth, because she straightened her spine and her expression turned from upset to calculating.
    “You have to blame it on someone else,” she said.
    “What?”
    Ev nodded and began to pace across the room. “Yes. Find someone else to take the blame. Even if we have to pay them a hefty sum.”
    Chuck wondered why a woman who by actions and words didn’t actually care for her daughter was willing to lie for her.