Page 32 of Secret Crush

If this were a week later, then her mother wouldn't even know that Alice hadn't returned home. She'd be at her own condo in Brickell and living a city life. Her temples ached.

John's arm brushed against her back. She closed her eyes and the scent of cedar and pine filled her nostrils. She leaned into his back as he rubbed her shoulders.

"That didn't sound like a fun conversation."

"Did you know we're dating?"

He massaged her shoulders. "We are?"

His hands took away some of the stiffness in her back and her body grew warm and soft. "It was on the news."

He stopped, and her body craved the warmth of his touch. "And your mother wouldn't approve."

Her mother didn't matter. Alice stepped out of his strong personal space, and turned to gaze into his blue eyes. She played with her necklace and ignored how her heart and body acted like she had no cares near him. "I'm famished. What's for dinner?"

His dimples appeared as if he was amused that she changed the topic. "I'm having food brought in."

She rolled her eyes and pretended shock as she covered her lips. "The refrigerator isn't well stocked? Will a country's children starve because the House of Morgan isn't satisfied?"

"You were nicer at the church."

Score one for him. Alice swallowed as she realized how deep her mother's words scarred her. Plus her Cinderella fantasy was just that. She couldn't stay near the hottest man she ever met without being affected. He was a crush, and she didn't do carefree and meaningless anything. She hugged her waist. "I was free then."

"You'll be free again as soon as we catch the shooter."

She looked out over the dark bay. "I have to go home tomorrow."

"It might not be possible."

Turning toward him with a pleading expression, she blinked against his hypnotic blue gaze. "If I can't go by myself, thenyouhave to take me."

"Why?"

One moment with John and her mother in the same room would kill any amorous thoughts he might have toward her. Perhaps then she could be friends with him, but Alice wouldn't be another random woman in his bed. "Because I don't want to alienate my family the way yours is."

He slipped out of his black suit jacket. "My world has spun on its heels."

His world and her world had collided and Alice lost her own sense of balance. He came closer to her. She stepped backwards and placed her hands behind her back. "Did you join the FBI to punish your father?"

He unbuttoned the bottom of his shirt near his wrists. "You ask too many questions. But yeah, I wanted to arrest Mitch."

She smiled and waited to see his dimples in return. When she saw those cute indentations, she nodded. "Tell my mom about your job if you have to take me home tomorrow."

She should stay with him indefinitely and not tell her mother anything. He loosened his black tie. "Alice, we're not really together—why am I explaining anything to your mother?"

Her mother was her friend, and by next week Alice would be free of parental interference like most twenty-somethings. Besides, her mother only became prickly when the Morgan name was mentioned. She was usually cool as a cucumber. "Because if you intend to keep me here we have to tell her why, and if she knows that you are an FBI agent, that will ease her mind. I don't want her worried someone might shoot me because of you."

He undid the top button of his shirt. "Then I'll tell her we're getting married."

The House of Morgan and her family would never blend. Her face heated. Her mother might pass out cold. "Don't you dare. My mom has old-fashioned ideas on forever."

His eyebrow quirked and his dimples grew wider. "Why not?"

She tried to untangle her legs to prove she wasn't stuck permanently in one spot. This made her sway. "Marriage isn't something you should joke about."

He crossed his arms and stared at her. "Do you have a boyfriend?"

She shrugged and mimicked his body language. "What if I did?"

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