Friends and Lovers Trilogy 03 - Seduced (33 page)

He raised a brow. “Okay.”

She cleared her throat. “Yes, well, I said this thing at the end.”

He inched closer. “What thing?”

“It’s sappy.”

“Let’s hear it.”

She moved in against him. “Let me preface this by saying, I have issues.”

“Don’t we all?” He framed her face with his hands. “Spit it out, Marino.”

Somehow it had been easier to admit when she’d been speaking into a phone. But then she looked into his eyes, and the words tumbled freely. “I love you, Joe.”

He quirked a lopsided grin. “I knew it.”

She laughed. “Jesus, you’re an arrogant prick.”

He winked. “Part of my charm.” Then he sobered and pressed his lips against hers. He melted her bones and confirmed her feelings with a tender, lingering kiss. “I love you too, Sofia. It’s scary as hell. Disorienting.” He stroked his thumb over her cheekbone. “You knocked me on my ass the first time I saw you, and I’ve been struggling to regain my balance ever since. Loving you is the sweetest fucking rush I’ve ever experienced.”

Her throat clogged with emotions. “Wow. I … I don’t know what to say.”

“Say you’ll marry me.”

Tears pricked at her eyes. “This isn’t fair, Joe. This isn’t the time.”

“Whatever those issues are, we’ll work through them.”

“It could take awhile,” she warned.

He grasped her hand and tugged her toward their family and waiting chopper. “I’m a patient man.”

Rainbow Ridge, Vermont

Five Months Later

W
here the hell is she?

Joe cracked his knuckles. He dragged his hands through his longish hair, adjusted his tie. He sat down on the velvet sofa of Hollyberry Inn’s great room. Ten seconds later he stood back up and started to pace.

Outside, on the back lawn, clamored guests of the groom and groom. Rudy and Jean-Pierre had opted for an outdoor ceremony, a simple affair featuring gourmet food, a live dance band, and tasteful decorations.

Sofia was supposed to be his date. She was twenty minutes late.

They’d been carrying on a long distance relationship for months. They spoke on the phone almost every day or night. Lengthy discussions about their childhood, their family, their previous careers. They got to know each other very well. Favorite cereal, favorite songs, views on politics and religion. They argued and they laughed. They even had amazing phone sex. But dammit, he hadn’t seen her since the day after they’d cleared up the James brothers’ case. Jesse and Frank were well on their way to murder convictions and life sentences. Mrs. Cavendish would probably receive a lighter sentence, though not by much.

Sofia had surprised and pleased him by announcing that she was retiring from entertainment. Although, considering he was an arrogant prick, she’d informed him she wasn’t giving up her theatrical aspirations for him, but because she’d lost her passion, her drive. He could still remember the fire in those sultry, almond eyes when she said she was meant for something bigger.

Unfortunately, she’d elected not to tell him what that bigger something was. All he knew was that she was going back to school. She’d asked him not to press for details, and though it was difficult as hell, he’d honored her wishes. As always, she kept him guessing and intrigued.

In the meantime, he’d taken a job with his brother’s company, a small company of highly trained professionals who provided executive and personal protection. They handled mostly high profile clients. Politicians, diplomats, celebrities. There was also the occasional hostage extraction and ransom exchange. The danger level ran the gamut. Joe skills were valuable, and as Murphy had been choosing to spend more and more time with his pregnant wife—yeah, boy, that had been a pleasant shock—Joe’s workload over the summer had been pretty intense.

He didn’t mind. He enjoyed his new job. And as it involved a lot of traveling and supreme concentration, he had less time to miss Sofia. Although, hell, who was he kidding, he missed her every minute of the day.

This weekend he’d flown into Rainbow Ridge for Rudy and Jean-Pierre’s civil ceremony. Hence, the monkey suit. Murphy had insisted he wear a frickin’ tux. Everyone, he’d said, would be dressed to the nines. Everyone including Jake and Afia, their four-month-old daughter, Hope, Murphy and Lulu—who was six-months along—and the five and seven-year-old siblings they were in the process of adopting. Nona Viv and her husband. Various friends of the happy couple.

And Sofia.

Where the hell is she
?

The door swung open and Joe spun around with a big-ass smile. A smile that flattened in a heartbeat. “Oh, it’s you.”

Murphy knocked back the tails of his tux jacket and slid his hands in his trouser pockets. “That’s a hell of a welcome.”

“No offense. I was expecting someone a little prettier than you.”

“Jean-Pierre?”

“Smartass.” Grinning, he moved toward a window and peeked through the curtains. “Speaking of Frenchie, how are he and Rudy holding up?”

“Nervous wreck. Both of them. But, that’s mostly because they’re worried about everyone having a good time at the reception.”

“I don’t think they’ll have to worry about that.” He looked beyond the deck toward the rows of guests and the vine-covered arch. The rolling mountains and cloudless sky provided a stunning backdrop for the festivities. “A lot of people have been waiting a long time to celebrate their union.” He turned, brow furrowed. “Speaking of waiting a long time, where the hell’s Sofia?”

Murphy smiled. “She’ll be along shortly.” He cleared his throat. “Listen, I have a question for you. More and more situations are arising where I need a female on the team. How would you feel about working with a woman?”

Joe shrugged. “As long as she’s qualified, no problem.”

“Oh, the woman I have in mind is more than qualified. Just completed a four-month training course at the Executive Protection Academy. Graduated at the top of her class.”

“Great. Bring her on.” He glanced at his watch. Glanced at the door. “Are you sure Sofia’s coming? She was supposed to meet me in here twenty-five minutes ago.”

“She’s running a little behind.” Murphy rocked back on his polished heels, looking amused and anxious at the same time. “So, you don’t have a problem working with a woman. Great. What about family?”

Joe smirked. “I work with you, don’t I?” Then it clicked. “Ah, hell. You’re talking about Sofia. When she said she was going to school, I thought, hell, it had to do with martial arts.”

Murphy laughed. “Well, that’s certainly part of it. So, this isn’t going to pose a problem?”

He scraped his hand over his goatee, tried to smother a delirious smile. “Are you fucking kidding? At least I’ll get to spend time with her.”

“Oh, I think you’ll be spending more than enough time with Sofia.”

He shook his head. “Never enough time. Christ, I miss her, Murph.”

“Yeah, I get that.”

“But, personal feelings aside, seriously, I’d welcome her on the team with open arms. She’s smart, talented, a kiss-ass fighter, and a master of disguise.”

“Knows how to follow directions when person issuing said directions knows more than she does,” came a female voice.
Her
voice.

Joe turned, heart hammering like a mother in his constricted chest. Sofia stood on the threshold wearing a formfitting, white satin dress. A strapless floor-length gown that flowed over her voluptuous curves. White satin and mocha skin, sable hair twisted into an elegant up-do that showcased her long neck and killer cheekbones.

He was toast. “Whoa.”

“On that note,” Murphy said, “I’ll leave you two alone.” He glanced over his shoulder on the way out. “Uh, Sofia. Don’t take too long. The guests are getting anxious.”

Joe waited until he was gone and moved toward the woman of his dreams. “I have to touch you.”

She smiled. “Have at it, fuddy-duddy.”

He pressed up against her, reveled in her heat and sexy scent. Pulse racing, he slid his hands down her back and cupped that bodacious ass. He smiled when she did the same exact thing to him.

“You let your hair grow, Bogart. Very Renaissance. Very you.” Brown eyes twinkling, she stroked her fingertips over his bearded face. “Nice goatee.”

He winked. “Chicks dig this thing.”

She raised a brow. “Especially this chick. Sexy.”

“I was thinking the same thing about you. Sexy and smart. Why didn’t you tell me about the Academy, babe?”

She smoothed her hands down his lapel, adjusted his tie. “I wanted to prove to myself that I could stick with it. I didn’t want the added pressure of disappointing you or trying to impress you. I just wanted to do it. I’m good, Joe.”

He skimmed his lips over her jaw, nipped her ear. “I know.”

She laughed softly. “No, I mean at the protection game.”

“That’s what I meant.”

“Liar.”

He kissed her, then. Sweetly. Deeply. He savored. When at last he eased away, he gazed into those beautiful eyes and smiled. “Sofia, I have great faith in you. Like Murph said, you’re a natural. I look forward to working with you. I won’t lie. I might get a little tense if I think you’re in danger, but, hey, goes with the territory.”

She let out a sigh of relief, dropped her forehead to his. “Okay. Good. Great. So, I wonder if we’re still on the same page regarding that other thing you asked me about.”

He traced his thumb over those million-dollar cheekbones. “What other thing?”

“The marriage thing.”

His racing heart bumped up to his throat. “Are you serious? You’re ready?”

She smiled. “More than ready.”

He eased away, palmed his forehead. “Shit. Okay. Great. When?”

“I was hoping … now.”

“Now?”

“We’re dressed for it. Murphy took care of the paperwork. Rudy and Jean-Pierre are looking forward to a double ceremony. Oh, and your parents are out there with the other guests.”

“My mom and dad are here?” He angled his head, laughed. “You were pretty sure that I’d be up for this, huh, Marino?”

“Thanks to those long phone discussions, I know you pretty well.” She held out her hand.

He clasped it and tugged her toward their future. “Sofia?”

“Yeah?”

“You’re going to pay for that fuddy-duddy crack.”

She interlaced her fingers with his as they walked toward their friends and family and that vine-covered arch. “With pleasure.”

Be sure to look for Beth Ciotta’s other book from Medallion Press:

“The hi-jinks of Ciotta’s charmingly imperfect heroine makes JINXED a hip, witty, fun read.”

—Bestselling Author of
The Last Dance
, Nan Ryan

“Fast-paced, sizzlingly sexy fun!”

—
USA Today
bestselling author Karyn Monk

“JINXED is an enjoyable private investigative romance that has the feel of the 1930s Hepburn-Grant madcap comedies. … fans of screwball romantic romps will enjoy the love tale of the socialite and the sleuth.”

—
Amazon.com
Reviewer,
Harriet Klausner

“JINXED is a wonderful addition to any reader’s library.”

—
Romance Reviews Today

FOUR ROSES!

“JINXED is an entertaining contemporary romance. Ms. Ciotta’s gift for humor is appealing and she has done a fine job with all of the characters and plot. I look forward to her next book.”

—
A Romance Review

“Beth Ciotta’s first solo release is a sexy—Jake is so hot!—and often hilarious story that is guaranteed to hold you to the last page.”

—
Road to Romance

Four Stars!

“Ciotta scores in this wonderfully warm, witty and sexually charged novel.”

—Romantic Times BOOKclub Magazine

10 out of 10!

“Every once in a great while, a writer comes along and really breaks new ground. What makes Jinxed so different from other detective-dame stories is the totally original ‘voice’ of author Beth Ciotta. She’s quirky with a different style and her characters are very original. The whole package works. I found myself laughing out loud and falling in love with Afia and Jake and flat out rooting for them to succeed on their own and as a couple. Great use of original secondary characters, too. Can’t wait to read more from this promising new-to-me author.”

—
Live2WriteNow,
www.reviewcentre.com

“Declined.”

“Excuse me?” Afia blinked at the quasi-Euro sales associate, a black-rimmed spectacled, chic-suited man who three minutes before had been all smiles and pleasantries.

“Your privileges have been revoked, Ms. St. John.”

The woman standing behind her in line snickered. Afia blushed. Exclusive shops such as
Bernard’s
treated their patrons like royalty. So why did she suddenly feel like the rabble? “There must be some mistake.”

The associate retained a deadpan expression. “Perhaps you’d like to try another card.”

Her business manger, Henry Glick (a financial wizard according to her mother), had asked her to make all of her purchases on one specific credit card until further notice. Something to do with interest rates and consolidation. So seven months ago she’d handed over the bulk of her cards to Mr. Glick, except for the American Express that she’d tucked away for emergencies. As her dignity was at stake just now, she considered this a genuine crisis. Fishing her Gucci wallet out of her matching handbag, Afia handed the sales associate her backup card. He slid her platinum plastic through the gizmo next to the cash register, starting the process all over again, leaving her to ponder the mystery of her “declined” Visa. Obviously, the card was defective. As soon as she got home she’d call Mr. Glick and have him order her a replacement.

The clerk glanced up, with one haughty eyebrow raised, and a trace of a smirk playing at his glossed lips.

Afia’s stomach clenched.
Stop looking at me like that. I haven’t done anything wrong.
Funny how many times she’d wanted to scream that sentiment in her cursed life. But as always she kept her feelings inside. Calm. Dignified.