The Family Jewels Read Online Free PDF Page B

motion, his pupils dilating as they did. An ache started in her belly and spread lower.
    Jesus, all he’d done was look at her and she wanted to jump his bones. Maybe it was the thrill of it all. The chemistry of a healthy female in close proximity to a sexy man in a risky, adrenaline-charged situation.
    He chose that moment to twirl her, and then pull her back in, flush against him.
    “And what do you do when you’re not…Countessing?” he asked, flashing that panty-melting grin again.
    “A little of this, a little of that,” she whispered lamely, her brain temporarily glitching out as the heat of his body fried her motherboard. What the hell was going on here? She pulled back, putting some space between them, and took a steadying breath.
    Think about Clarissa.
    “And you? Do you deal in art and antiquities as well?”
    "No. I’m an investor. But you probably already know that, don’t you, Sadie?"
    She willed herself to stay loose and fluid in his arms as her heart banged wildly against her ribs. To not tense up and pull back and let her eyes pop open like a cartoon character. It was only years of training that allowed her to work up a smile and tilt her head back to look up at him in spite of the riot going on inside her.
    "Excuse me?"
    Okay, so it wasn’t looking good, but maybe she could still talk her way out of this. It wasn't like all was lost if she could keep him in the dark and get out of Dodge before he asked too many questions. He and Alistair were clearly friends --which in and of itself should’ve marked him as a grade A asshole worthy of her scorn-- but they weren't tied at the hip. Even if she didn't have time to charm Alistair out of a hefty wad of cash tonight, she still had other ways to get his money when Jake Callahan wasn’t around. If only she could come up with a plausible excuse to buy a little time and escape the formidable prison of his arms before he pressed the issue.
    "Coy doesn't suit you, Sadie. And frankly, neither did that dishwater blond hair. The dark is much more flattering. Perfect, really. Now if we get rid of the contacts…”
    She could feel her cheeks going hot, but she refused to break eye contact, knowing it would be a dead giveaway, broadcasting her guilt.
    “What say we be honest with one another, yeah?” he said, not missing a step as the song ended and flowed into another. “You tell me what you're doing here and I'll tell you what gave you away so you don't do it in the future. Deal?"
    It was tempting. A little. She was pretty sure she knew. She’d gotten too close back at the restaurant. Let him see her.
    But what if it was something else? It would haunt her, the not knowing. Maybe her accent had faltered. Or maybe it was the dress? Maybe she should've gotten from this season. Or, just maybe, it was him. She prided herself on her disguises, and blending in when she had to, but maybe he had a knack for faces.
    As much as she wanted to know, though, there was one hard and fast rule for the Leighton clan when it came to grifting. The rule that came even before rule number one.
    Never tell.
    Never never never. Didn't matter if they had you dead to rights. With enough tears and enough illusion and deception, there was still a chance to wriggle out of it and she wasn't going down until the fat lady sang.
    "In truth, you are making me a little nervous, good sir. I'm not certain who this Sadie is.” She shrugged and shook her head, keenly aware that her German accent had gone all Victorian-maiden for some reason. “But I can assure you, I am not her. Now, I'm feeling parched and would love to head back and get another glass of champagne."
    She firmed up her stance and tried to wrestle the lead from him, steering him in the direction of the bar, but he was quick and light on his feet, and managed a neat little turn, leading her back to the center of the floor again effortlessly.
    "Come now, Sadie.” Even with that ever-present musical lilt, he still managed to sound