I knew what I’d said to him and I was willing to do anything it took to help get my sister back, but who the hell did I think I was fooling? I wasn’t some BDSM queen, nor did I have any acting abilities whatsoever. At least being around him grounded me.
Although I wasn’t going to boost his ego by telling him.
Very slowly, I pulled my hand free, suddenly unable to look him in the eyes. “She didn’t tell me what she found or that she’d seen anything on TikTok. When my mother found her suitcasemissing, she called me. I went to their house to see if I could find anything. My sister always kept a sketchbook with her. She left it. I found some notes, including a link. It was active and I applied. I can tell you that I completely understand why the girls were lured. They promise money, fancy clothes. Being on a yacht. It appeared all very legit. After a couple days of trying to contact her, my father finally reported her missing.”
“Were there any names associated with this modeling company?”
I had to think about the question, trying to sort through the ugly thoughts of my fractured mind.
“Miami Elite Modeling agency.” A sense of relief flowed through me.
He quickly wrote down the name. “That’s great. It gives us a start.”
“You think you can find them.”
“I’m positive the link is gone, but the men and women I work with are highly skilled. Everyone leaves a footprint on the internet. It doesn’t matter if you deleted the information including using the various scrub applications, the information always leaves a ghost.”
“But?”
He laughed. “But it will take time to find it. Do you remember the link itself?”
I thought about the question. “Yeah, I think I do.” I took the pen from his hand and as before, our fingers touched, the electricity skyrocketing. I tried not to react, scribbling the link. “I thinkthat’s right.” I could tell he was watching me as I rubbed the pen with my fingers.
“We will find her. You just need to trust me.”
“I know. I do. It’s funny. I never thought I’d be able to trust anyone ever again.” I’d told myself that years before and for the most part, had kept to myself. Why I’d opened up to Kendrick was impossible to answer.
Every time he laughed, I was thrown by the sounds. “No, you don’t. And you’re right. You have absolutely no reason to.”
“Like you have no reason to trust me.”
“There is a difference.” He leaned over, so close that I all I could think about was him kissing me. “I know everything about you.”
“Everything?”
“Well, maybe not everything.”
The moment lingered on, the dark cravings breaching the surface. I almost did the unthinkable, reaching out and touching him.
“To answer some of your earlier questions, my favorite pizza is pepperoni and sausage with extra cheese. Usually black for my coffee, but if I’m in a really bad mood, you might see me adding whiskey or a shot of Irish cream. I don’t have much time to read or even to watch television, but when I do, I usually watch true crime dramas. I prefer being outside, the mountains, not the ocean. There’s nothing like crisp mountain air on a frigid morning or the view with the snow on the caps. When you can see a few deer or elk, it’s even better. I’ve been known to do a little mountain climbing, although that was in my younger days. You won’t catch me in a swanky dance club unless I’m forced.Instead of cognac, give me a cold beer and a shot of tequila and I’m good to go. Oh, and classic rock, baby.”
“That doesn’t fit with the Lamborghini you drive.”
He smirked.
“Which you don’t own.”
“All a façade.”
His admittance was so adorable in the way his brow furrowed, I giggled. My behavior was like some schoolgirl in awe of an older man. Maybe there was some truth to the notion. It was ridiculous and as had happened every time before, I could feel the heat crawling across my face.
“What? You think my likes are crazy?”
“Not at all. They suit you. With your mannerisms and your preference in attire, you kind of remind me of a cowboy, especially with those sexy boots you have on.”
His face lit up as if I’d truly complimented him. Maybe I had.
“Okay, Miss Reese. Why don’t you tell me about your likes and dislikes? We’ll compare the lists.”
