sure you do. Think of this as your uniform for the job.”
Oh, he was a smug something, an arrogant and self-assured brut that she would cut down the very next time he thought to touch her. She’d do this job because her sister’s freedom depended on it. But that was all this week was about.
With a sly smile she took the cards from him. “I love a shopping spree.”
“Then by all means enjoy yourself. I have meetings the rest of the afternoon. We’ll have dinner in the room and we’ll leave for my parents’ estate in the morning.”
“Where do they live?” Eight years ago she’d known nothing about him except his name and that he was the most beautiful man she’d ever seen. She wasn’t surprised that a part of her still wanted to know more about him.
“Northeast of the city limits. It’s a horse ranch, one of my father’s new hobbies. Do you ride?”
She looked at him, and noted the hint of desire still shadowed in his eyes. He wanted her and to a certain extent he’d gotten her. She’d be at his side for an entire week. She’d made it clear that she wouldn’t sleep with him, but she wouldn’t pass up an opportunity to make him suffer the same way she had. “Wouldn’t you like to know,” she said with a half smile before sashaying out of his office.
The moment the door closed Linc let out a long, slow moan. He’d never been this hard, this excited over a woman before. When he’d kissed her he’d thought of nothing else but ripping her clothes off, getting his mouth on those breasts, those nipples that he’d felt harden beneath him. Did she ride? She had ridden him that night with the experience of a shy virgin. He’d coaxed her until she’d found her rhythm, until she’d driven him so wild he’d had no choice but to end the sweet torture.
She would ride him again, he thought, his hand resting on his erection. She would definitely ride again.
But that was for later. For now he had to handle some details. He had never taken a woman home to his parents and his brothers would surely get a kick out of the first time. Lifting the receiver he dialed his youngest brother’s number.
“Speak to me,” Adam answered in his deep, cheerful voice.
“It’s Linc. We need a conference.”
“What’s up?”
“It’s about this week.”
“Cool. Hold on. I’ll connect Trent.”
After a few clicks all three of the Donovan brothers were on the line. The Triple Threat as they’d been dubbed. Each one of them, Lincoln, Trenton and Adam, separated by two years each, possessed bone-deep good looks, quick minds, huge bank accounts and the ability to make any woman whimper with need. They were also confirmed bachelors. A fact that had long since plagued the women of Nevada.
“What’s going on?” Trent asked first.
Adam answered, “I don’t know, big brother initiated the conference.”
“I wanted to give you guys a heads up. I’m bringing someone with me this week.”
“Home? You’re bringing a guest home with you?” Adam asked.
“Yes.”
“I assume this guest is a woman,” Trent offered.
“Yes. It’s a woman. Her name is Jade Vincent. She’ll be spending the week with us.”
“And who is this Jade Vincent?” Trent was an ex-Navy Seal who now owned a company of special investigators that filled high priority government assignments. He trusted no one and suspected everybody.
“An old college friend I ran into today.”
“You haven’t seen her since college and you’re bringing her home to meet the folks? That doesn’t sound like you,” Adam surmised.
“It’s not like that. It’s business,” Linc replied.
On the other line Trent frowned. “Explain.”
“She owes me a favor and I’m collecting by using her as a shield between Mom and all the eligible ladies she’ll have lined up for me.”
Adam chuckled. “Good thinking.”
“Whew, I sure am glad you’re the oldest.”
Linc frowned at Trent’s words. “And why is that?”
“Because you’re the first one she wants to marry off. Which leaves Adam and I more time to prowl the herd.”
“I am not getting married. This is just a buffer for the week. Next week I’ll be prowling right beside the two of you.”
So she’d accepted this ridiculous arrangement to keep her sister out of jail. Noelle better be damn grateful to have a sister like her. It had taken years for her to to get over what Lincoln Donovan did to her and now in the span of a half hour she’d been reduced to that brokenhearted college girl all over again.
Except now she was not only older, she was wiser. She would not be succumbing to his charms or his smile or his scent. She was stronger than that. She’d do this so-called job and she’d walk away from him the same way he’d walked away from her.
With credit card in hand she sat back against soft leather seats as Mario, Linc’s personal chauffeur, drove down the the Strip. After Mario had indicated he’d been instructed to take her anywhere she wanted to go, she quickly directed him to the Fashion Show Mall where she did her best window shopping. There were things in the window at Neiman Marcus that she’d had her eye on for a while now.
Lately, all her money went back into the spa or toward Noelle’s college education. Noelle was definitely going to set a record for how long she would draw out a four-year degree program. Jade was no fool—she was sure Noelle was stalling. While she sympathized with Noelle’s fear of responsibility she wasn’t footing the bill beyond this year. Now she felt like a child at Christmas who’d been given the key to Santa’s workshop. Sure, this key came with lots of strings, but she wasn’t going to think about that right now. The car came to a stop and she smiled to herself. Oh, no, she was thoroughly going to enjoy this moment and she’d deal with the rest later.
Three hours later her feet had begun to feel numb, the muscles in her arms strained from the weight of the bags she carried from one store to the next. She was making her way back to the car for her fifth drop off when she figured she’d better call Noelle before she sent the cavalry out to find her.
“Hello?” Noelle answered her cell on the first ring.
“Hey, it’s me.”
“Where are you? I thought you’d be back hours ago. Did you get the money?”
Jade rolled her eyes. She should at least be proud that Noelle had asked about her before the money. “I’m at the mall.”
“That means you got the money!” Noelle said excitedly. “That’s cool. What mall? I’ll meet you there.”
Noelle
