Page 29 of The Jade Stone Sleuth

“Has he acted like this when you’ve dated other men seriously?” Brex’s eyes were a deep brown.

She tried to think about it. “Maybe.” She shrugged. “It’s not like you and I are dating seriously though.”

Brex growled low in his throat and pinned her against the ladder. “You kiss men the way you just kissed me when you aren’t dating seriously?”

She was tempted to tease him but felt he deserved the truth. “I’ve never kissed anyone like I kiss you.”

Brex’s eyes grew warm again. “Good. Now I’m going to kiss you until you agree that we’re dating seriously.”

Clara laughed, her nerves tingling with anticipation. “It’s going to take a long time to convince me.”

“Well.” He shook his head. “Sacrifices must be made.”

Clara gave a grunt of outrage.

Brex leaned in but paused inches from her lips and groaned. His gaze grew heavy. “Clara. I’m gone over you, but I don’t know how this is going to work between us.”

Her stomach tumbled. She’d never felt like this for a man. Was she putting him in danger?

“Because you have to leave after you finish this job?”

“That … and other things.” He studied her, his dark eyes too serious. “It’s risky dating you.”

Her own eyes widened, and her heart thumped against her chest. Someone in the valley, in the police force, had told him about her boyfriends’ deaths. Of course they had. Working with Aiden Porter’s people, he probably had inside information on everyone.

“You’re worried about the risk of dying like the other men I dated.”

He quirked an eyebrow. “Dying?”

Maybe he didn’t know, but his comments to Jane said he did. She swallowed and admitted, “I’ve had three boyfriends die in tragic accidents.”

“I’m sorry. I’ve heard about that.”

Water splashed on them and a chill raced through her. She shivered, and he pulled her in tighter.

“I don’t want to risk you. I don’t want you to die.” The words came out too stiff, not betraying the anguish she felt inside. She wanted to sob and cling to him.

“Clara. You understand that I’m far too tough to die.”

“Anyone can have a tragic accident.”

He studied her as if her comment had layered meanings. “I’m not worried about any physical risk to me.”

“Then what are you worried about?” She blinked water out of her eyes.

“The emotional risk. To both of us. You’ve lost boyfriends. I’ve been through breakups as well.”

Clara nodded. She wanted to hear about his past dating experiences and then go question the sanity of any woman who could walk away from him.

“But if you’re willing to take the risk …” He looked over her face, his gaze heating her up despite the cold water. “I find myself longing to be close to you every moment.”

Clara wrapped her arms tight around his neck and kissed him fiercely.

He grinned against her lips when she pulled back. “I’ll take that feisty answer as a yes you want to date me.”

“Yes,” she whispered. “But I’m worried about you being hurt or killed.”

“Bury those worries. I’m far too tough.”

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