Gage found himself looking forward to the journey they would be taking together, even if it would be impossible for him to act on his growing desire. He was a professional, first, last, and always. Nothing was going to change that.
“Unless you have an objection, I’ll call my attorney,” he said. “Ask him to do the paperwork so we can get this project underway.”
Abby smiled so brightly, he felt a contraction in his chest.
“That would be great,” she said.
“I assume you have photos of the gold.”
She nodded. “From every angle. I have everything photographically documented.”
“Good, then we’ll stop by the bank and you can put the gold back in your deposit box. Not the map or King’s notes. I’d like a more thorough look at those before you put them away.”
“All right.” She took a sip of coffee. “I won’t be long.” Gage watched the sway of her hips as she walked down the hall, and his lower body tightened. Damn, this wasn’t good.
He sighed as she disappeared into her bedroom. Whatever happened, it was going to be a painfully long journey.
On the other hand, if King Farrell was right, two hundred million in gold would more than make up for a few weeks of sexual frustration. Gage found himself smiling.
* * *
It was worse—make that better—than Abby could have imagined. Not only did the man have the face of a movie star, he had the body of an action hero to go with it.
Standing in the shower, every time she closed her eyes, she remembered the bands of muscle on Gage Logan’s broad chest, his flat belly and six-pack abs, the pair of bulging biceps. The man was in amazing physical condition—that was for sure.
A requirement for the difficult ventures he undertook.
Reminding herself that finding the treasure was worth putting up with her inconvenient attraction, Abby finished her shower and braided her hair. Dressed in stretch jeans, ankle boots, and a white V-neck sweater, she returned to the living room. Both of them were ready to leave, and they were on their way in minutes.
Gage was hungry, so after they stopped at the bank and she returned the gold to her safe deposit box, he drove to a place he knew for breakfast, a café called the Waffle Iron in an abandoned firehouse. An alarm went off every once in a while, which entertained the kids, and there was even a pole in the middle of the room that firemen had once used to reach the first floor.
Gage was clearly a regular, as evidenced by the attractive blond server who seemed to know him far too well.
“Hey, Gage, how’s it going?” The blonde turned over his coffee mug and filled it without being asked.
“So far so good. Mandy, meet Abigail. We’re working on a project together.”
Mandy filled Abby’s cup. “A treasure hunt?”
“Maybe. Depends how things shake out.”
The waitress eyed Abby with suspicion. “Gage doesn’t take women on his expeditions. That’s a rule he never breaks.”
He flicked Abby a glance. “The waffles here are fantastic,” he said, ignoring the comment.
Abby folded up her menu and handed it to Mandy. “Great, that’s what I’ll have. Oh, and a side of bacon.”
Gage looked at her with approval and handed back his unopened menu. “Eggs over easy, sausage, and dry wheat toast. Thanks, Mandy.”
The blonde said nothing, just flicked him a seductive glance and left to turn in their orders.
“One of your girlfriends?” Abby took a sip of coffee.
“I don’t have any girlfriends.”
She arched an eyebrow. “Not even a few friends with benefits?”
He shrugged his powerful shoulders, a faint smile on his lips. He was a man. He had needs. Looking at him, Abby was beginning to have a few needs of her own.
