opened this business, I wondered if youâd just found a new way to skim money from the same properties you worked with at Premiere since you continued to book trips to a lot of the same resorts.â
âBecause theyâre great destinations and I know them inside and out.â
âIncluding the Marquis?â
Slamming the door shut with her knee, she rubbed her temple where a stress headache wanted to take root.
âNo. That one isnât reallyââ Sighing, she began again. âItâs a unique place. Well off the beaten path just outside of scenic Saratoga, New York. Strictly for adults.â
âIt didnât come up in my early searches, but I just figured it was one of those high-end places that doesnât advertise.â
âIt is.â Just thinking about the things sheâd seen there the last time she visited made heat crawl up her cheeks and take up residence. âTechnically, Premiere doesnât own it, but they are a partner of the eccentric owner and they take care of the food service and a few other basics. Itâs a complicated relationship and itâs important that it remains under the radar since the guests are guaranteed a highlyââ she cleared her throat ââsensual experience.â
Was it just her, or was sex coming to mind way too much during this conversation? While sheâd like to believe it was just the buzz of good champagne in her veins that made her feel so pleasurably warm inside, she knew it had more to do with Jake Brennan being in the room with her. He would make any woman take notice.
âSounds like the perfect place to hide an embezzlement crime.â His jaw flexed, and she could almost see the wheels turning in his head, fitting this new piece of evidence into the puzzle.
âActually, precious little is hidden in the rooms of the Marquis.â She studiously avoided looking at him whilethinking about what went on in that private resort. Her eyes locked on the screwdriver in a silver cup holder on her desk. âHere.â
She passed him the tool and eased past him to clear a path to the bookcase so he could take his equipmentâand his questionsâand go.
He took the screwdriver, following more slowly.
âIt also sounds like the perfect place to lose yourself.â
âExcuse me?â She pulled the belt tighter on her bathrobe.
No matter that she wore a tank top and comfy pair of girly boxer shorts underneath it. The more layers the better during a conversation about a sex-drenched playground with a droolworthy stud whoâd not only seen her mostly naked, and seemed to enjoy the view.
Ah, who was she kidding? She was enjoying checking him out just as much. Too bad he had already pulled a fast one on her or she might have considered acting on the sizzling connection between them.
âI want to avail myself of your services through Lose Yourself. I need you to book me a trip to this place as soon as possible.â
The image that presentedâJake Brennan stalking the secret lairs of the sexually adventurousâgave her heart palpitations. And, oddly, inspired a ridiculous surge of jealousy for all the women who would dole out their best tricks to attract his notice.
âNo.â She folded her arms. Shook her head. âYou donât want to go there. Thereâs a strict policy abouthidden cameras anyway. Definitely not your kind of place.â
âDonât you want to find out who tried to pin about ten different federal crimes on you?â
âYes, butââ
âGood. Thatâs why youâre going with me.â
3
âF ORGET IT .â
Marnie wrenched the screwdriver out of his hand and turned toward the display case that held his camera as if to remove it by herself.
âI need you there.â He slid his arm between her and the bookcase to stop her. The fact that his knuckles brushed against her flat stomach and his shoulder rubbed