Page 19

I arch a brow. Maybe she was arrested. “Oh?”
“The emerald Linc took from the safe isn’t real.”
“That’s too bad,” I say easily, although it kind of serves them right. Karma and all.
“Ryder, our gems expert, confirmed it’s a fake.” He frowns. “Why the hell would Torres have a fake in his safe?”
“Maybe as a deterrent to thieves?” I suggest a little too brightly.
His mouth tightens and I’d be willing to bet my last dollar he’s holding back a snarky response.
“Addie wants to know if you’d be willing to fly us to Spain to get the real one?”
Oh, hell no.
But instead of revealing how I really feel, I merely ask, “How do you know it’s in Spain?”
He shrugs a shoulder. “I’m meeting my crew as soon as we land and will get more details on whatever the hell is going on. I want you to come with me. Addie will have an offer for you.”
“I’m not interested. And I think I’ve done enough.”
“Just consider it,” he presses. “We could use a good pilot. And you’ll be paid generously for your time and skills.”
His offer is tempting. Soverytempting.
If I can continue borrowing Slater’s jet… I chew on my lower lip, seriously considering. It’s a very attractive and potentially lucrative opportunity. I suppose if I don’t break any laws there’s no harm in taking the job. But I’d be working for thieves.
I’d also be spending more time in Knox Beckett’s company.
The scales begin to tip from a maybe to more of a yes. What the heck does that say about me?
The rest of the flight goes by smoothly. Knox continues to engage me in conversation and even turns his charm up a notch. But I know it’s only because he wants me to fly his ring of thieves to Spain. I’m far too smart to fall into his honeytrap, believing his flirty smiles actually mean something. It’s not that he doesn’t come off as genuine, because he actually does—and that just makes the situation even more complicated.
How can I tell if he’s truly interested or only using me?
You can’t believe him, I tell myself.He has an agenda and wants your help. End of story.
Believing anything else…well, that would be bad for my heart. And, after Shane, it’s not a chance I’m willing to take. Absolutely no way. As tempting as Knox might be, he may as well be wearing a blinking neon sign that screams “Heartbreaker.”
At the same time, he’s damn hard to ignore. My gaze slides down his firm chest, hugged by a fitted navy-blue Henley. The color shows off his sapphire eyes to perfection—and I guarantee he knows it. He’s currently focused on his phone, scrolling away, so I take full advantage and continue my perusal downward. At least he zipped up his jeans. God, when he stepped out of the rear cabin earlier, his jeans undone, hanging low on his slim hips, I couldn’t help but ogle the goods.
Knox Beckett is a smorgasbord of carnal delights, from his firm pecs to his tight abs to the obvious bulge of his well-endowed manhood. My mouth goes dry thinking about his cock. It’s been so long since I’ve had sex—since Shane crushed my heart—and my barren desert wasteland below is beginning to thrum with new life, thanks to Knox
He steals for a living, I remind myself. I can’t get behind that. I’ve spent my entire life trying to do the right thing. Always fighting on the side of good.
I sigh and look out at the infinite blue yonder. Maybe it wouldn’t kill me to loosen the righteous reins a little. I have a feeling if I gave him the go-ahead, this hot, morally gray piece of ass would be up for some fun.
“Penny for your thoughts?” He sends me a devilish smirk as though he heard exactly what I’m thinking.
My headset crackles and I pull it up around my head as directions from Denver Airport come in loud and clear. “We’ve just been cleared for landing,” I say, ignoring his question. Because the last thing I want to do is let him know I’m sitting here lusting over him.
Oh, God help me. Why am I always attracted to arrogant jerks?
∞∞∞
I’m still not quite sure how I got wrangled into my current situation, but Mr. Charm Extraordinaire convinced me to drive him to his meeting, since Linc took the car when he returned. He also convinced me to go to said meeting. Okay, it didn’t take much cajoling. I’ve always wanted to meet Ryland’s sister. Truth be told, I am curious about her offer.
And there is also the fact that I keep picturing Knox naked and it’s making my hormones go crazy. It feels like my ovaries are at a square dance, and they’re ready to swing their partner and do-si-do.