“And you’d know, I suppose.”
She shrugged. “It’s a small world.”
He sighed. “Any idea about who it could be?”
She shook her head. “No. Doesn’t sound local at all. Donovan’s in jail. Carlysle died last year. And the new guys aren’t any good. They’ll just get caught in a year or so.”
He stared at her, part amazed and part impressed. “You really know your stuff, don’t you?”
For a second he didn’t think she’d answer. Then she shrugged. “Yes, I do.”
“Good, then you can test it for me,” he said.
The confusion lingered, and then her eyes widened, lit with an emotion he’d felt many times or seen on Brent’s face during a late-night session to fine-tune a system.Excitement. And the thrill of a challenge.
But as soon as he’d identified the look, it faded, her expression turning bland and unreadable. She shook her head, the small movement almost imperceptible. “I’m not a thief.”
“I’m not looking for a thief. I’m looking for someone who can act like a thief and think like a thief. It’s a temporary position,” he added. “Just until I figure this mess out. But I promise it pays well.”
She licked her lips, and he could practically see the wheels turning in her head. “You said you couldn’t hire me.”
“Not as an office assistant. But there’s nothing underhanded about hiring a thief—sorry, a retired thief—as a thief. Everything will be completely aboveboard. Honest. Open.”
“So you want to hire me to break into the Driskell place once you install the upgraded system?”
“Totryto break in. And more, actually. I need your skills to assess the system that’s already in place. Help me figure out the flaw and then test the upgrade once we install it.” He spread his hands wide. “Of course, it’s only a good plan ifyou’regood,” he said baiting her. “If you’re just some two-bit burglar, you’ll hardly be able to help me find the flaws.”
“I’m good,” she said, just as he’d expected she would. She licked her lips and moved across the office to stand right in front of him. She smelled delicious, and he wanted to sample and taste every last inch of her. Instead he just clenched his fists at his sides and tried to look like a professional. She eased closer, and though she wasn’t touching him, she might as well have been.
“I don’t know…” She worried on her lower lip. “I’ve given that up. I mean, I’m—”
“Looking for a job,” he said, his voice calm and reasonable. Now that he’d thought of it, he was determined to win her agreement. “I’m offering you one. Security consultant. Completely legit. Completely aboveboard.”
She nibbled on her thumbnail, doubt coloring her face.
“Come on, Melissa. What do you say?” Kyle asked. And then he held his breath and waited for her to either make or break his day.
* * *
MEL SAID YES.
Really, what other choice did she have? The job was too perfect. Too her. And, yes she’d given up burglary, but since Kyle had made it clear that no actual larceny would be involved, the position was a legitimate exception. Heck, it even had a cool title. “I’ve never been a security consultant before,” she said. “Can I have business cards?”
He laughed. “I’ll order them tomorrow.”
“Good.” Her smile matched his, and she realized she was genuinely excited about the job. And why not? Deep down in her heart of hearts, she missed the excitement of her old life. Missed doing something that she really and truly was good at. And she even missed the little thrill she got from knowing that what she was doing was not exactly on the rightside of the law. It wasn’t a life she could go back to, though. The risks were too great.
Butthisjob, well, it was a real, honest-to-goodness, paying job. And for the first time in a long time she had a chance at real, successful, gainful employment.
“Thanks,” she said, the word almost a whisper.
“I think I’m supposed to be thanking you. You’re the one helping me out.”
She shrugged. “Maybe we’re helping each other. At any rate, I’m not sure why she did, but I’m glad Betsy sent me here today.”
He smiled. “Me, too.”
The air between them sizzled, and Mel fought the urge to step forward into his arms, to initiate a repeat performance of their kiss in Frances’s bedroom.
