Crazy in Paradise (28 page)
Authors: Deborah Brown
I made a pit-stop on the way to Jake’s. My first act as owner-manager of The Cottages had been to knock on Miss January’s and Joseph’s doors and inform them about the changes. I hoped Kevin would let Julie and Liam move back soon. I’d put out the word that I was looking for a local girl to work in the office. In addition, I planned to refurnish and update each unit with fresh paint and fixtures. Next stop: Jake’s.
“How’s it going?” Jake waved.
“I get stronger every day,” I told him, sitting at the bar. “How about half a margarita?”
Jake raised his eyebrows. “Half?”
“I’m thinking a little tipsy, not drunk.”
“You’re crazy.”
“You think that’s the first time I’ve heard that?” I didn’t need to tell Jake anything. He already knew the details, and probably better than I did.
“Your order’s ready,” he said, and handed over a large shopping bag. “Who’s all the food for?”
“Nobody,” I smirked at him.
“Whatever,” he snorted. ‘Nobody’ hasn’t been here in a while. Tell him to stop by. How come your card shark mother let you out of her sight?”
“Cleaned you out, did she?”
He made some sort of noise, and shook his head.
“This food smells heavenly.” I picked up the bag and left.
* * *
I pulled into the driveway of Zach’s warehouse, grabbed the shopping bag of food and Zach’s cane from the car, and made the slow climb up the stairs. I set my stuff down on the doorstep, took out my leather case of tools, and picked his lock. Sticking my head in the now open door, I called to him.
“Over here!” Zach yelled from his desk. “Did you just pick my lock?”
“Yes, I did,” I said smugly, pleased that my first try was a success. “Fab got me a set of lock picking tools as a get well gift.” I showed him my case. “She also gave Mother and me lessons. Mother was better at it than me.”
“You two,” he said, shaking his head. Dressed in black sweat shorts and a Miami Dolphin workout shirt, he came closer. With every step, he looked better and better. “What’s this?” He picked up the bag.
“Lunch from Jake’s. You hungry?”
He helped me up on a bar stool, took the containers out, and put them on the bar. “Starved.” He ran his hand up my bare leg. “In the past, I never gave a single thought to women’s clothing except for how fast I could get them off and throw them on the floor. Then I met you. I like the way you dress,” he said, his hand disappearing under my skirt.
I wrapped my legs around his waist, pulling him close to me. “I came here to say thank you for saving my life.”
“So, no more IOU’s?” said he asked, kissing me.
“Are you delusional? I have more than you anyway,” I gloated. “But we’re pretty even on the life saving thing.”
“How about you show me your thank you and I’ll show you mine.” He buried his hands in my hair, and I inhaled the warm, male scent of him. He drove his mouth down on mine with a hungry kiss that left me senseless.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Deborah Brown is the author of Crazy in Paradise and Deception in Paradise. She lives in South Florida, with her ungrateful animals, where Mother Nature takes out her bad attitude in the form of hurricanes. You can contact her at [email protected]
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