Positively Criminal Read Online Free PDF

of her plan the whole thing would be over before it even started.
    Jake lifted his hand from her leg and draped it across the back of the booth. “So now that we’ve established that Detective Turner will be starring in Dara’s next novel, tell me again why I found you at the Glove last night.”
    “Nice try.” Bri balled her fists to keep from placing his hand back against her skin. “You just don’t give up, do you?”
    “Never.”
    “Is he always this slow?” Dara asked Mace as she cocked her head to one side. “Bri works there at least three nights a week.”
    Mace didn’t answer; only his Adam’s apple bobbed in response.
    “No one asked me to explain my job description,” Bri answered for him.
    Jake lifted an eyebrow. “Isn’t that obvious?”
    Dara’s eyes widened. “You think she dances?”
    “That’s what I caught her doing the last time I found her there.”
    Bri pushed her guilt further away as she swallowed hard. Even Dara didn’t realize the reality behind her work.
    “She did, once upon a time,” Dara continued, “but not now.”
    Bri winced. Well, not every night anyway .
    Right on cue, the waitress returned and placed dinner on the table. Bri heaved a sigh of relief. She was safe – for the moment at least.
    She caught a hint of a smile as Mace crammed his burger in his mouth. Obviously, he enjoyed the banter between them – either that or the sound of Dara’s voice. Wonderful . Bri shook her head to clear her brain. Now she’d fallen victim to Dara’s romantic notions.
    Bri’s nerves began to tremble. Sooner or later Jake would demand an explanation and he wouldn’t care where he demanded it or who witnessed his interrogation – she had an idea it was about to be sooner.
    Then, just as she realized she couldn’t stall him any longer, a high-pitched beep saved her from surrender.
    “Damn.” Jake reached to his belt, tilted his pager to read the screen, and then tossed his napkin to the table as he stood. “Ladies, thanks for the company. We’ll continue this conversation another time.”
    Mace threw his napkin next to his plate and then winked at Dara before he followed Jake’s lead. “Until next time.”
    Bri gave Jake a three-fingered wave while her nerves danced a happy dance. “Toodles.”
    A sly grin split his lips as he leaned down and lowered his head. “Keep those secrets buried for now.” He lifted her chin with one finger and smoothed his thumb across her skin. “Just remember, I’m an expert treasure hunter.”
    Dara inhaled a sharp breath and then coughed.
    Although Bri knew she should keep her mouth shut and let him strut like a cocky rooster, she just couldn’t do it. Pure, deep-rooted lust pushed her to put him in his place.
    “My treasure is a secret, Detective.”
    His grin slipped as the pager at his hip chirped again and he released her chin to quiet the interruption.
    “Be careful driving home.”
    Bri held her breath for a full seven seconds until the detectives sauntered across the room, paused briefly at the hostess station, then exited the building. She released the air on a huff then moved her gaze to her friend, now digging through her purse.
    “What are you doing? Dinner’s my treat.”
    “I’ve got to write this down.” Dara pushed her purse to the side and opened a small notebook. “You guys are the poster couple for bestseller romantic tension.”
    “I still think you’re delusional.” Bri signaled for the waitress while she reached into her own purse.
    Once the woman stood beside the table, she smirked while she gestured with her head at Bri’s wallet. “Tall, dark and bossy paid your ticket.”
    “See?” Bri gave Dara an I-told-you glare. “He’s pure, cocky, alpha male.”
    “Yeah.” Dara nodded. “Just your type.”
    Bri ignored Dara’s accusation and glanced back at the waitress. “Did he tip you?”
    “Generously.”
    “Well.” Bri paused, too unraveled to think. Tall, dark and bossy always had the last