Page 8 of Diamonds & Deception

I chuckle. “Noted. No banana boat sundaes. How about we keep it simple and orderSandwiches to Go? I know a more private area where we can eat.”

“That sounds perfect.”

***

HELL. DRAKE IS PERFECT. Too perfect. Either he’s trying too hard because he’s a charmer, or he knows what I’m up to and is trying to get me to crack. Either way, I’m doomed. He takes my hand and leads me toSandwiches to Go. When he mentioned it, I had no idea it was actually the name of a place.

I’m hoping if he looks up information on Lenora Jane, he won’t find an article about some fancy banana dish she reviewed. I don’t know if one exists. My allergy to them isn’t major, but I break out in hives if I eat them.

But it’s not the food I’m thinking about as we wait in line. It’s what Drake whispered to me in the elevator. He plans on kissing me tonight and eventually taking me to bed. I don’t know how I feel about it.

I’m betraying Carly by falling into the hypnosis of his smile. However, this is the undercover job I set out to do. I remind myself that seducing him is part of the plan. However, liking him isn’t. Until I get to know him better, I won’t have a good feel on whether he was involved with Carly’s murder, he’s covering it up for someone else, or he truly is in the dark.

“What would you like?” he asks when it’s our turn. I order a turkey BLT on rye, and he orders a roast beef sub.

We select our drinks and bag of chips, then he pays and carries our order across the food court. I expect him to find a table in a corner but instead, he brings us to a stairwell at the far end of the atrium. Is he bringing me up to his penthouse? Has he done his math incorrectly and assumed I’m going to strip down naked for him tonight?

The thought brings goosebumps to my arms. Not that it would be a bad way to end the night. Drake Reynolds in his dress pants and button-down shirt, sleeves rolled up to his forearms, is a spectacular sight. As is Drake in running shorts and a sweaty T-shirt. But Drake in all his naked glory? Good lord. I don’t think I’m ready for that.

He could be covering up your sister’s murder!

I follow him down another hallway, which then opens to a large lounge area. Bistro tables line a wall of windows that look down into the lobby, while a smattering of couches, leather chairs, and smaller tables fill the area.

“Is this okay?” He sets our bag of food on a high top.

“It’s perfect. Judging by the lack of people up here, I take it we’re either in an employee lounge or only the regulars know about this area.”

“The latter. Employees are not allowed to fraternize with guests while working, and it’s frowned upon after hours as well.”

He hasn’t told me he owns the casino, and I haven’t let on that I’m aware of who he is. “I don’t want to get you in trouble with your boss, Drake.”

He gives me that sexy half-grin that surely works wonders on all the women he woos. “You’re not a casino guest. You’re my date, so I’m not technically doing anything wrong.”

“What if I want to play cards or the slots later?”

“I’ll be back at work. I can’t control what you do in your free time.” He hands me my sandwich and flattens the bag. “Speaking of, what is it you like to do in your free time, besides bring Daisy for walks?”

Daisy? Oh, yeah. I almost forgot about my pretend dog. I need to be careful. This man has a way of frying my brain cells. I take a bite of my sandwich while I think of aLenorareply. Unfortunately, she spends her free time bouncing from bed to bed, partying, and traveling, even when she’s not working. Granted, she does the same when she is working. I love going to dance clubs with her, but other than that, we have little in common except for our love of books and writing.

“I like to dance.”

“Yeah? Like ballet? Sorry. I can’t think of dances other than that.”

“I don’t have the body for ballet.”

His chocolate eyes dip to my cleavage, not that I’m showing much tonight. I dressed modestly, not knowing if he’d try to wine and dine me at the upscale restaurantRed. From what I’ve read, it takes months to get a reservation. Granted, since Drake owns the casino, he probably has a table saved for him every night of the week.

Drake’s tongue darts out and licks the center of his lower lip before he brings his gaze back to my face. “I’m pretty sure you have the body for just about anything... you want to do.”

The heated stare, the compliment, and the way he licks his lips, all have me shifting in my seat. I’m glad he can’t see how my nipples harden in response. I do my best to show no reaction.

“I took a lot of hip-hop classes in high school and even taught some in college. When I wasn’t studying in college, I went dancing at clubs. It’s my outlet.”

“Where did you study?”

“BC.”

“Boston College. Impressive. Beautiful and smart.”

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