Page 63 of Wicked Intention

Finn stared at her, and while it was hardly noticeable, Zo read his suspicion. She met his gaze head-on. She’d told the truth—her freelance work for the insurance companies kept her far away from thieves and their brokers. It was her job at the Paladin League that had her interacting with society’s underbelly.

“You must have some interesting connections to be able to track those items down.”

He didn’t know the half of it. Zo shrugged. “Spending so much time in Puerto Jardin gave me a wide range of acquaintances.”

Some of his tension receded. “Are you continuing to do these side jobs?”

“Yes.”

“Why? Paying down the mortgage on the condo?”

She’d paid cash for her home, so she only had the monthly homeowners’ association fee, her insurance, and taxes, and her Paladin League salary did cover those costs. “I’m putting the money away in investments for my retirement.”

“You’re twenty-six.”

“Haven’t you started to save for retirement yet?”

His lips quirked up at one corner. “No. The Army didn’tallow me time for any side hustles besides college courses.” Finn took her hand and squeezed. “Want an ice cream?”

“Yes.”

He helped her to her feet and laced their fingers as they walked back the way they came. It surprised her when he stopped for soft serve. She’d thought they were going to head off the pier to the gelato store. There was a line, and it was fully dark before they got their cones.

They walked back toward the bench they’d shared. As they rounded the corner, she saw a couple of teenagers sitting there, so they continued on. A breeze came off the water, and Zo was grateful for her leather jacket.

“I’ll trade you a taste of chocolate for a taste of vanilla,” Finn said.

“Okay.” Pausing, she held up her cone for him. She half-expected him to help himself to a huge bite as a joke, but he didn’t. He’d said a taste, and that was what he took. Zo did the same when he offered his ice cream to her.

“You have chocolate on your face.”

Before Zo could unwrap the napkin from her cone, Finn bent down, put his mouth off to the side of hers, and licked. That quickly, that easily, the heat between them ignited into a blaze.

“Gone,” he reported, voice thick.

Zo was in trouble. Resisting him in Puerto Jardin had been difficult, and she’d had to cling to the fact that he was a gunrunner like a shield. But that line of defense was gone. The day he’d arrived, she’d gotten a friend at the Paladin League to run a check on him. She’d confirmed Finn’s story—he’d been recently discharged from the US Army, and he’d most definitely been Special Forces.

Ten days. He’d been staying in her guest room for ten days. She’d meant only a night or two, but Finn was easy to share her home with. He was quiet, thoughtful, and afterasking permission, had spent a lot of time reading her books on archaeology.

Zo bit her bottom lip. She loved talking with him. They’d stay up late, conversing about anything and everything. And his kisses. Again, Zo felt her brain go fuzzy just thinking of them.

The most enticing thing about Finn, though, was his integrity. He’d vowed she could trust him not to hurt her. He’d promised her that she could set the pace on their physical relationship, and he never crossed the line. When she said stop, he stopped. No pushing, no arguing, no cajoling. He immediately honored her request.

Oh, yeah, she was in big, big trouble. It was only a matter of time before they became lovers.

“You’re quiet,” Finn said.

“Enjoying the evening.”And thinking about going to bed with you.She spotted another empty bench up ahead. This one was wire mesh and had a back, making it more comfortable. “Why don’t we sit and talk a while?”

His step faltered momentarily. “Okay.” Finn guided her to the bench, his hand low on her waist. Zo repressed a shiver. She liked the possessiveness in that gesture. “What did you want to talk about?” he asked when they were seated.

Zo hadn’t planned to jump right in, but maybe that was the easiest way. “You said you were in foster care. How’d that happen?”

His body went from ready for anything to tense. Finn took a deep breath and slowly blew it out. “In Puerto Jardin, you called it a sob story to manipulate you.”

“That was when I heard it from Tom Finley.” Zo put her hand on his knee and squeezed. “If you don’t want to talk about it, just say so.”

His hand covered hers. “I don’t want to talk about it.” Before the disappointment could settle in, Finn added, “But Iwill, for you. Give me a minute to collect my thoughts. I didn’t expect an ambush.”

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