Page 15 of Southernmost Murder

“I’d like to see your work first.” Jun moved his hand from my hair, pausing briefly at my neck before he dropped it to his side. “And this suspicious closet.”

I groaned rather dramatically, took his hand into mine, and dragged him to the gift shop. “All right. But no loitering. In and out, okay?”

“Okay.”

I brought him inside and was happy to see a healthy number of tourists moving about the room. I really hadn’t wanted to open the house again after this morning’s fiasco, but without a body, there wasn’t much excuse to keep everything shut down. If the nonprofit board got wind of that and my not-so-rock-solid reasoning behind the locked doors, I’d be shit-canned in a heartbeat. So Adam had opened ticket sales again when Jun and I left for lunch.

“Hey, Aubrey,” Adam called from the register.

“Everything okay here?”

Adam nodded. “No one’s reported unsightly visitors in the house, at least.”

“Hilarious,” I said, deadpan. “I’m off the clock, just bringing Jun over to see the place before heading out again.”

Adam glanced at Jun. “Sure thing.”

I led the way outside and into the gardens. There were a few visitors strolling about the walkways, taking pictures, and reading information plaques about some of the rare and beautiful plants on location.

Jun’s hand settled on my lower back, andholy shit—I hadn’t realized how badly I’d missed that sort of touch from another man. “I’m not so sure your employee likes me.”

I pulled my attention away from Jun’s hand and glanced up. “Adam?”

“Hmm.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Gut feeling.”

“What’s up? Your cop senses tingling?”

Jun’s mouth curved into a small smile, and he started walking along a path toward the towering house ahead. “No.”

“He’s never even been late, you know. He’s always waiting on the porch when I roll into work. Adam’s a good guy.”

“If he wasn’t good, you wouldn’t have hired him,” Jun said, seeming to agree with me.

“So why do you think he doesn’t like you? Adam likes everyone.”

“Boyfriend senses.”

I stopped, smirked, and put my hands on my hips. “Ohhh.”

Jun paused and turned to look at me. “Not that—”

“No, no, I get it,” I said, feeling a wicked grin curl my lips. “Mr. Tanaka, are you officially asking me out?”

Jun swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “Not in so many words.”

“Why’s that?”

“I don’t want to make you feel obligated. Especially since I’m here visiting and staying with you….” He shrugged.

“I must be getting old, because that’s the hottest thing anyone’s ever said to me.”

Jun looked away briefly, covering his mouth with a hand to suppress a laugh. “Not looking for a sexy, passionate man these days?”

“Oh, I so am,” I corrected. “But a guy who likes to talk about my feelings too? What a turn-on.” I took a step closer. “Don’t even get me started on men who dust baseboards or know how to balance checkbooks.”