It’s only a matter of time before Buford finds out…and he’s going to put all the pieces together faster than a fox picking victims in a chicken coop.
I’m beginning to wonder if I have some sort of death wish.
Chapter 5
Date & Diamond
Samuel Foster
My nerves are jangling when I run up the stairs to the front door. For the tenth time that evening, I want to pat my coat pocket. And for the tenth time, I stop myself. The quickest way to let on that you’re carrying something of value is to constantly check that you still have it.
The lights are on inside. That’s not unusual, but I can hear noises within.Arielle.My heart warms. I love the idea of coming home to her. It’s a feeling I’ve never grown used to, but I could. I definitely could.
“Hi honey, I’m home!” I call out. I’ve done it with Munchkin since he was a kitten, and since the first time with Arielle too. Now it’s stuck…and I like it.
“Hi back at ya! We’re over here,” Arielle replies, her voice echoing from the kitchen. I head through to join her. She’s got Munchkin on the counter, and she’s aiming a little morsel at his face. I recognize one of the little pill pouches and figure I’ve arrived just in time for his medication routine. As if on cue, the cat opens his mouth and happily lets her pop the pill in. The woman is amazing with my little furball. She turns her attention back to me now. “You’re home early,” she says. “I didn’t expect to see you for a while.”
“Is that a bad thing?” I ask. The question is a bit blunt, but I feel strangely awkward asking it. Like a teenage boy with a crush. Her face warms with a smile and I feel the tension ease.
“Absolutely not," she says, “I’m so glad to see you.” And then, out of the blue, she steps around the table and envelops me in a quick hug. For a second, I freeze, but she’s released me and moved off before I can respond.
“Uh…” I’m trying to think of something smart to say, but I’m pretty sure that if I try to string a sentence together, I’m going to end up stuttering. A bump against my chest lets me off the hook. “Hey, Munch!” I say to my cat, gathering him into my arms.
“He was really good today,” she says. “Ate all his kibble, took his pill like a pro. We spent some time in the sunroom together too.” I nod, still stroking his downy head. “How was the performance? Why didn’t you stay longer?” she asks. I take a seat at the table and keep my attention on Munchkin.
“It was fine,” I reply, knowing I can’t say too much without raising her suspicions. “The client was happy, and I got off quicker than I expected.” She’s turned to the fridge and is taking out a bottle of chardonnay, reaching into a cabinet for a wine glass.
“Can I get you a drink?” she asks. I love that she’s offering me a drink in my own home… she’s almost as comfortable here as I am. Her gesture settles me a bit, and I nod.
“Sounds good. Should be a Bud in there," I reply. She flips off the cap and puts a cold bottle in front of me before I can tell her where to look for them. My smile broadens. Everything about this woman makes me happy. The way she knows her way around my house; the fact that she’s correctly guessed that I like my beer in a bottle…the way she looks in that tight shirt… I haul my mind out of her cleavage and look up. Her eyes are crinkled with amusement at the corners. She’s grinning and I grin back.
“So, why didn’t you stay longer?” she presses, raising her glass and taking a sip. There’s something impossibly astute about those damn eyes.She’s pushing for something more from me, and I’m wondering if it’s something I want too.
“Change of plan,” I answer. Which isn’t a lie. They hadn’t been planning on being ripped off by the entertainment. Not that they know it yet. The lump in my pocket is starting to feel like a lead weight. “I was tired, and I wanted to get home to Munch…And you.”
Her eyes widen. “Oh!” she says softly. “I…”
“Arielle, would you go out with me?” I blurt.“Sometime… I mean. Not right now… I… uh…”Fuck, what am I doing?Her mouth has dropped open, her tongue flicking out over succulent lips. “Dinner sometime…or lunch, if you’d prefer.” My voice is going on as if it belongs to someone else.
Samuel, what the fuck?
Inadvertently, my fingers stray to my jacket pocket, tapping lightly. Her eyes drop down, and I quickly lower my hand. “This weekend, maybe? If you can get a sitter, that is…Tomorrow would be great…” Her eyes are on mine now, and she’s slowly nodding.
“Oh!” she says, her voice little more than a murmur. “Gosh, I… Um…yes…I think?”
My breath heaves out in a rush, and I almost feel myself slumping with shock at what I’ve just asked. “That’s great!” I say, not bothering to hide my grin. My fingers are fidgeting again, and she takes another glance, then stares up at me.
“What’s that?” she asks. I look down at my palm and freeze. A thousand flickering lights seem to be glittering from my hand, where I’ve opened my fingers to reveal the Eye of Isis.
Chapter 6
Date with the Boss
Arielle Nygard
Sam’s hand closes quickly, and guilt flits across his face. A second later, though, he relaxes, and I wonder if I imagined it. He unfurls his fist, and in his palm sits a massive diamond. My eyes widen in shock.
“It’s from a friend,” he says smoothly. “The guy’s not sure what he wants to do with it, but he doesn’t want his wife finding it accidentally, so he asked me to hold onto it for him.”
