Page 28 of James (Big Northwest #6)

PHILLIP

“ W HAT A DUMBASS.” Phillip shook his head as he watched the man sitting outside the cafe in Paris’s 6th arrondissement eating a croissant like he didn’t have a care in the world. “And what a fucking cliché.” He turned to where James sat beside him, looking fucking stunning in the dress he bought her on their first shopping trip together and gold rimmed sunglasses, her long blonde hair blowing in the wind. “He does know there are way better things to eat in Paris than a croissant, right?”

James took a bite of the baguette she’d picked up at a bakery as they followed his current mark around. “Listen, just because you’re obsessed with protein, doesn’t mean everyone is.”

“I’m not obsessed with protein.” He stole a chunk of her treat, taking a big bite just to prove it. “I make you pasta all the time.”

He’d learned a lot about James in the month they’d been back from their trip to Shadow Pine. She didn’t mind hot coffee, but preferred it iced. Her favorite way to end the night was a soak in the tub surrounded by candles. She wasn’t kidding about killing him if he woke her up early, and there was little she loved more than a good carbohydrate.

Except for maybe Morris.

She and his house manager had become fast friends. That’s how he went from being just Morris to Morris the house manager. She was hellbent on giving him a fancy title to show just how important he was.

“You make me pasta all the time because that’s what Morris buys at the store.” She squinted at the man they’d been following around Paris for the past few days. “Is he seriously trying to hit on that woman next to him?” The disgust in her voice was fine, but the slight glow to her eyes had him concerned. “You know, if the insurance company already thinks he might be dead…”

“We talked about this, sweetheart.” He hooked a bit of her blonde hair as it caught on her lip, curling it behind one ear. “No killing.”

“No killing unless absolutely necessary,” James clarified. “And we never really specified what qualified. I could argue that those sandals with socks are a big enough crime that someone should take him out.”

“You can’t kill him because he’s wearing fucking socks and sandals.” He tried to keep the smile off his face and the laughter from his voice, but failed.

How had he been able to deny how miserable he was for so fucking long? How had he managed to pretend his life wasn’t empty and boring and hollow?

Because it was impossible to miss now that it was filled with James.

“Ugh. Fine.” James took another bite of her bread. “But your standards are too freaking stringent.”

“They are pretty high.” He took in the sight of her next to him. “You should be flattered.”

He’d spent years looking for her, pretending she wasn’t what he was seeking out. Even once she fell into his lap—almost literally—he tried to convince himself she wasn’t what he needed.

Even though she was every bit what he wanted.

And now she was at his side nearly every waking minute. Fit into his life like the missing piece she was.

James shot him a grin. “You’re just trying to make up for not letting me kill that guy.”

“Maybe.” He draped an arm across the back of her chair, leaning in to rest his lips against her temple. “I think deciding to bring you with me on this trip was a brilliant idea.”

“You already said that.” James peeked at him from the corner of her eye. “Last night after I sucked your soul out through your?—”

“I remember,” he cut her off, shifting in his seat as his dick tried to perk up at the memory. “And we talked about this. No trying to give me a hard-on at inconvenient times.”

“You have so many rules.” James lifted her brows as she mimicked his voice. “ No killing unless it’s absolutely necessary. No giving me raging boners in Paris.” She huffed out a breath. “I thought you were done being boring.”

“You didn’t think that.” Phillip turned as their mark realized the woman he set his sights on wasn’t going to tolerate his attentions, watching the guy search for a runner-up. “You’re the one who started buying me houseplants.”

“Because you love plants and Morris doesn’t mind watering them.” She suddenly stood, smoothing out her dress. “Be right back.”

“Where are you going?” He didn’t like the look in her eyes. Especially since it was aimed at the man they were here to investigate. “I said no killing.”

“I’m not gonna kill him.” She rolled her eyes. “I’m just gonna ruin his life.” James tipped her head. “That actually sounds like more fun anyway.” She shoved another bite of bread in her mouth as she wove through the crowd of people, making her way toward the man they’d been watching from a spot across the street.

It was almost comical to watch the man realize a gorgeous woman was coming to talk to him. The guy was not only a world class piece of shit trying to get out of paying child support and alimony, but he was also a fucking idiot. No way would a woman like James genuinely be interested in him. Yet he ate her attention up. So enthralled with her presence that he didn’t notice the strategic position of her cell phone as she recorded the whole conversation.

Phillip leaned back in his seat, watching James do what she did best. If he’d been on his own, getting a close up shot of the guy wouldn’t have been as simple or as thorough. He had to be discreet. Careful no one noticed what he was doing.

James could sit right in the guy’s face and get video evidence and he’d never see it coming.

Not until the insurance company confronted his mother with it and asked for all their money back.

When his phone started to ring, he pulled it from his pocket, keeping his eyes on James. After swiping across the screen to connect Nathan’s call he pressed it to his ear. “Yeah?”

“How’s it going? Get anything good?”

“James is sitting right next to him with her cell camera in his face and he’s too stupid to know what’s happening.” He smiled, so fucking proud of how well she was doing. “We should have video evidence for the insurance company shortly.”

“That’s fucking awesome.” Nathan chuckled. “You better be careful. She’ll be the investigator and you’ll just be the sidekick.”

“I’m fine with that.” Better than fine. Watching James stretch her wings and fly was quickly becoming one of his favorite past times. “How are things going there? Any issues?”

“Things are fine. We got a call from a woman in Nashville. She seems to think her ex husband was into some shady shit and wants us to find out what we can.” Nathan paused before continuing. “Also, Enzo called. I guess he’s coming to town next week and wants to meet you for lunch.”

Of course he fucking did.

“Sounds like the least fun I’ve ever had.” He narrowed his eyes as James took the guy’s phone and started fucking with it. “Set it up for whenever you want.”

“Are you coming home early since you found your guy and got what you needed already?”

“No.” He had plans for this trip. Plans that might be too soon by some people’s standards.

Not his.

After discussing his schedule for the following week and deciding which day would be the ‘best’ to meet with Enzo and when he wanted to chat with the woman from Tennessee, he ended the call, sliding his phone into his pocket just as James stood.

He did the same, moving casually along the sidewalk to trail behind her as she cut through the crowd. They couldn’t meet up within sight of the man they’d been watching since now he was watching back, so they were a few blocks away before he was finally at her side again.

“What a twat.” James tossed the bag from her bread into a can as they passed. “You know he’s claiming to be a millionaire?”

“Technically, he is.” The guy had a hefty life insurance policy that paid out to his mother. And while she was being careful to hide the paper trail, dear old mom wasn’t as up on how many digital paths existed.

James smirked, looking pretty damn proud of herself. “Not for long.” She jumped a little when her cell phone dinged, signaling an incoming message. “Did I mention I gave him my number so we could get his?” She wiggled her brows. “So now, not only do we have an up close video of him, but they can also subpoena his phone records and use them to track his path.”

She lifted her phone, expression shifting to horrified. “Oh god.” She swung the screen his direction. “And we have a picture of his dick.” She turned the phone back toward her own face, head tilting to one side as she cringed. “He definitely doesn’t store his audacity in that thing. It could only hold an eye dropper’s worth, and he’s for sure got plenty.” She squinted. “You think it’s hard? Kinda difficult to tell on something that size.” She held the phone out at arm’s length. “Actually, that might be his belly button.”

“Not his belly button.” Phillip stole her phone, forwarding himself the number the text came from. “You can delete it.”

“You sure? I thought the insurance company wanted all the evidence we collected.” James slid her hand into his. “No matter how small.”

“That is what they said, isn’t it?” He grinned, imagining the uptight insurance adjust who’d hired him opening a file with a blown-up image of a micropenis front and center. “Let’s keep it.” He turned her at the next corner, angling them away from their hotel.

“Where are we going?” James peered over one shoulder. “Is he following us?”

“No. He’s probably still taking photos of his dick in the bathroom.” He paused at the metro station. “You feel like walking?”

James beamed at him. “I always feel like walking.”

She might not want to get up early to work out, but James loved wandering around exploring. Nearly every night they took a walk around Chicago as she explored her new home. He wasn’t shocked to find she wanted to do the same thing here. Which worked right into his plan for the rest of their trip. Work was finished and now it was time to celebrate.

She just didn’t know it yet.

They talked as they walked, discussing everything from her plan to visit her sisters in two weeks to the details for Sam’s upcoming baby shower and her plan to drag Morris along because she was positive her sisters would love him. He did his best to follow along, but there were more pressing thoughts on his mind. By the time their destination came into view, his palms were starting to sweat and his stomach was in knots.

Was he rushing things? Moving too fast and acting too soon?

There was only one way to find out.

“Oh my gosh.” James sucked in a breath as she noticed what was looming over them. “It’s the freaking Eiffel Tower.”

“It is.” Phillip slowed his steps, working them into a less crowded spot. There were so many beautiful places in Paris he wanted to show her. Wanted to watch her experience. But this was where he’d decided to start. For a few reasons.

The first of which was burning a hole in his pocket.

“It’s so pretty.” James’s head tipped back as she looked upward, taking her eyes off him to absorb the full scope of the structure.

It was what he’d been hoping would happen. The exact way he wanted the moment to go.

James had a habit of doing that. Being exactly what he needed, when he needed it.

Pulling the tiny velvet bag from his pocket, he lowered to one knee, freeing the custom ring he’d ordered as soon as they’d returned from Shadow Pine. Then he waited.

And waited.

And waited.

Was she ever going to turn back around? The Eiffel Tower was great, but was it really that great to stare at?

“I bet I could climb that.” James propped one hand on her hip, continuing to stare at the famous landmark. “But let me guess. I’m not allowed to do that eith—” She turned toward him, eyes leveled on where he should have been before dropping to where he was. “Oh shit.”

“To answer your question, no you can’t climb the Eiffel Tower, but that’s not my rule. That's the Police Prefecture’s rules.” He lifted the diamond and emerald ring. “Now I have a question for you.”

“If I can’t climb the tower, you sure as hell can’t climb the tower.” James angled a brow. “And not only because of the Police Prefecture’s rules. I’m pretty sure you’d fall and die.” Her lips slowly curved into a smile. “And it would suck if you died right after we got engaged.”

“You’re a pain in the ass.” He couldn’t stop smiling back. “This was supposed to be romantic.”

“It is romantic.” She dropped down to sit on his bent knee. “Way more romantic than the dick pic the other guy trying to seduce me sent.”

“I’ll keep that in mind if I’m ever tempted to send you one myself.” He caught her left hand, sliding the ring into place.

“I didn’t say you couldn’t send me one.” She leaned close. “But I’d rather have a video. I seem to remember offering to be an audience for you and you still haven’t taken me up on it.”

For a second, his brain shorted out. Got stuck on a loop of James watching as he fisted his dick.

But then realization hit. “Are you seriously trying to get me hard right now?”

James wiggled around, her thigh brushing against the thickening line of his dick. “Seems like I’m not just trying.”

Pulling her close he pressed his lips to hers, breathing deep as he willed his blood to relocate. Leaning back, he repeated the three words he expected to use a lot during their life together. “You’re a terror.”

Thank you so much for reading James and Phillip’s story. I know there will never be enough Shadow Pine to go around, but I hope you enjoyed our last adventure with the Karlson sisters.