Page 8 of The Jade Stone Sleuth

He drew back quickly. How was he supposed to grow close to her if he was affected so deeply by a simple touch? It didn’t bode well for keeping his distance emotionally, and he wouldn’t ask his debonair and impressive bosses Nick or Aiden for advice on that conundrum.

Clara looked from his hand to his face, her eyes wide. “Just when I think you couldn’t be any more enthralling,” she said in an awed whisper.

Either this beautiful woman was an open book or she used her innocent appeal to trick susceptible men. He was certainly susceptible to her, and that was not a good thing. He needed to do more deep dive research on her former boyfriends. Were they easily beguiled into falling for her and sped toward their own demise? Was there somebody else involved in Clara Gem’slife who may have killed the men out of jealousy? He needed to research anyone close to her or to the deceased men.

Research he was good at. Research he could do.

But staying detached from the allure of those jade-colored eyes? He was failing.

“Aiden Porter?” Her voice pitched up and her eyes were lit with curiosity and admiration. Could that really be put on? “Have you actually mettheAiden Porter?”

He chuckled at the wonder in her eyes. “Yes, I’ve met Aiden Porter.” Aiden was very involved in his security company and touted himself as the ‘second top security specialist in the world’ behind the legendary Sutton Smith. Brex had met him three times and even received the honor of training with him once. Aiden could move like a ninja. Brex had never seen anyone fight on Aiden’s level.

“Is he as charming and handsome in real life as he is on talk shows and social media interviews?”

He laughed. “I’m always charmed by him and wowed by how handsome he is.”

She studied him, then smiled. Her smile was breathtaking. It was so real, so sincere. He sucked in a breath but still couldn’t get enough oxygen. “You’re making fun of me, but honestly … Aiden Porter. My youngest brother Lincoln wants to be Aiden Porter. My brother Talon is a Marine and we suspect he focused that direction because of his idolism for Aiden Porter.”

Aiden was an icon and Brex was impressed and ‘wowed’ by the man, but not to this level. It definitely was an honor to work for him. Why had he let out who he worked for? Would knowing Aiden Porter was involved make her, or the murderer, cover up their tracks or show their hand?

“Wait until I tell Linc that you work fortheAiden Porter.” She whistled and stared at him as if he were Aiden—charming, accomplished, and desired by women the world over.

“Can Linc keep that between us?” He eased in closer, remembering he should build those bridges of trust. Unfortunately he was drawn to her and all he wanted was to be closer to her and appealing in her eyes. That wasn’t in the manuals he’d read or trainings he’d received, and he needed to remember she wasn’t his type.

At the moment, being close to her, he knew Clara Gem wasn’t a ‘type’. She was an ideal, an angel, and completely out of reach for a social-climbing, lying-to-her non-believer like him. A preacher’s daughter. Holy and clean.

Unless she actually had killed three men.

“I don’t mind that you know, or your brother, but if the entire town finds out I might get mauled and interviewed.” He winked as if that were old hat for him. “I’d prefer to remain incognito.”

Nick would probably tell him to stay incognito. Aiden often bragged to the entire world on podcasts, talk shows, and social media interviews about his and his people’s prowess. Which angle was smarter in this remote valley and with this case?

She studied him. “I don’t have to tell Linc. He’d be so excited, I don’t know if he could hold it in. He’s a little boy trapped in a man’s body.” She turned and started walking again. He could feel her disappointment from here.

“How old is Linc?” he asked, scrambling to think this through. Would it matter if Linc shared that Brex worked with Aiden Porter to everyone in town? Brex would have to explain to Rulon and Pamela Hendry why he was being so transparent. The policemen he worked with would know who he worked for and might share it anyway. If there was a murderer hiding behind these accidents with Clara’s deceased boyfriends, would it make the person burrow further into their dark hole or attack Brex when he pretended to date Clara? Each word Clara spoke made it unfathomable to believe she could be the murderer. Half an hour in her presence and he was scrambling for other suspectsand wanting to prove she was as genuine and guileless as she was mesmerizing.

“Linc is sixteen and absolutely hilarious. Honestly my favorite person in the world.”

He listened as she sang him funny songs Lincoln composed. She bragged about how Lincoln was an ultra-talented athlete, loved to dance, and made them all laugh with his silly dances, lyrics, and jokes. She shared that everybody Lincoln met was his new best friend. Brex found himself looking forward to meeting the kid.

They climbed to the top of a series of boulders and had a view hundreds of feet down to the orange-red sands of the valley interspersed with houses, businesses in the small downtown area, and even some green farmer’s fields, a golf course, and what looked to be a nice resort up against the west foothills. The red rock of the distant mountains framed them in. The Hendrys’ house was to his far right. He could almost feel their exasperation with how he was letting down his guard from here. But that was ridiculous. They weren’t watching him, and he was doing his job of getting close to Clara.

Clara shifted next to him and their arms brushed. It was a simple contact, but the feelings it stirred within him weren’t simple at all. He felt excited and full of … he didn’t know the right word or emotion to pin on it, but then he realized it was hope.

He hadn’t felt a lot of hope since Alayna, the famous preacher’s daughter, had dumped him over ten years ago. Brex had stayed away from all things regarding faith and focused on flourishing in the dating and social scene. His job as a detective had been fulfilling but dark more times than not. Hope was new and tantalizing. Just like Clara. Right now he felt hope for a future of growing closer to Clara and touching a lot more than a brush of her arm.

Hope was out of character for him, and his thoughts were out of line for this job. His future was focused on working for Aiden, protecting innocents, righting some wrongs in this messed up world, and most especially rising financially to the upper crust of San Diego’s elite singles. He could date any famous lady who caught his eye. He didn’t get excited about much or look too far into the future. He might be dead tomorrow and relationships where his heart became deeply invested were a liability for his work, for the lady, and for his plans of being one of the most sought-after bachelors in San Diego.

Brex stepped the other direction to avoid contact. He needed to keep his head on straight and not let this too-real angel redefine what he was looking for in a woman or his future plans that felt suspiciously shallow at the moment.

His foot slipped on some loose rocks.

“Careful, Brex,” Clara cried out.

He confidently stepped back from the edge on more solid footing. He turned to focus on her. Clara’s body was tight and her pulse was racing in her neck.

“Are you all right?” he asked, leaning closer. She smelled clean and fresh. Had his Dior Homme cologne worn off or did he smell good to her too? He’d bought the cologne originally because it smelled ‘luxurious’, but he liked the musk and linen scent. He doubted Clara would dub a scent high-dollar.

---