Tempted in the Night Read Online Free PDF Page B

suggested, gesturing toward the house. "Knowing Julia, she's got a pot of coffee ready, and we might as well talk someplace comfortable."
    "We'll get Jessica's bags and join you as soon as we put them in her room," Mac said, joining Dirk at the back of the car where the two exchanged comments too soft to overhear.
    Alone with Charles and John, Jess felt ill at ease. She might be family, but that was merely a technicality. The reality was that she and Charles were practically strangers. And the only thing she had in common with the detective was this mutual hate thing they had going on.
    She watched him now, walking with Charles. He was almost the same height as her cousin, which meant he was only slightly taller than she was, and he moved with an easy, masculine gait. She could well imagine women everywhere falling over themselves vying for his attention. It wasn't because he was drop-dead gorgeous, because he wasn't. His dark hair was prematurely streaked with gray and it seemed that the dark stubble across his jaw that she'd noticed the other night was a permanent feature. The combination should have made him look old and unkempt. Instead, it gave him character. Beneath his long coat, she knew he was lean, hard muscle, though she tried not to dwell on the memory of the way his body felt when he'd tackled her. In a totally objective light, she thought, there was nothing special about his looks. The thing was , he commanded such presence that no one could be around him and stay objective for long.
    Feeling uncomfortable, she stepped through the mansion's front door and into a vaulted foyer that was surprisingly warm and cozy despite its size. Looking around, she was impressed with the quiet elegance that surrounded her. It was much lighter and friendlier than the decor of the old English castle where she'd grown up.
    " Lanie , I want you to meet Jessica," Charles said as a woman about her own age walked in, giving her a friendly smile that was hard to resist.
    "It's nice to finally meet you," she said, ignoring Jess's outstretched hand to hug her instead. "I'm Mac's wife. And this is Bethany Stavinoski ." She stepped back and gestured to a second, shorter woman.
    Bethany came forward and also embraced Jess warmly. "I'm Dirk's fiancée. We're so glad you made it. I hope you're planning to stay for a while. Dirk and I are getting married next week, and we'd love to have you there."
    It was the first Jess had heard about the wedding, and she wasn't sure what to say. "Well, I—"
    "Of course she'll stay," Charles interrupted. "We haven't seen each other in, what? Thirteen years? Goodness, has it really been that long?"
    She smiled and nodded at the sudden flood of memories. "Yes. I was twelve, and you thought you would teach me and Kacie how to use a sword."
    "Ah, yes. That was certainly a mistake." Charles laughed, shaking his head. "I think that by the time the lesson was over, you two had taught me a trick or two." He gave her a fond smile. "Ah, the memories. Please say you'll stay. If nothing else, we should catch up on all that's happened."
    Jess made a noncommittal noise. She hadn't flown all the way to the States just to deliver a sword, but now was probably not the time to mention the photo.
    At that moment, an attractive older woman with auburn hair appeared. "Hello, everyone."
    "Julia, there you are," Charles said, moving forward to draw the woman into the foyer. "Jessica has finally arrived, and we also have John Boehler here—you've heard us mention him."
    Jess made a mental note that Charles hadn't exactly explained who this woman was in relation to the rest of the group as she watched Julia extend her hand to the detective.
    "We've spoken on the phone several times," she said warmly. "It's very nice to finally meet you."
    "And this is Jessica."
    Julia turned that warm smile her way. "Welcome, Jessica," she said. "I've heard so much about you."
    "Thank you. But please, call me Jess."
    Julia dipped her head briefly to