Hearts & Diamonds Read Online Free Page B

muffin to his lips.
    All night stakeouts always went smoother with snacks. His last minute decision to watch over Nia’s house hadn’t left him any time to pick up sustenance.
    “They intend to sell the stolen jewels for cold hard cash.” She popped a bite into her mouth as she stared at him.
    Damn, if she didn’t have the sexiest lips he’d ever seen.
    “That’s correct,” his partner said in his silence. “Happens here and all around the world. It’s a big bad business, usually violent. You’re lucky to have walked away from last night unscathed.”
    Quin flashed his friend a did-you-really-need-to-say-that-look . Stephanie was a helluva agent, but she didn’t always have the people skills locked down tight. “These are really good. Did you make them?” he asked as Nia grinned.
    “Will you arrest me if I tell you I did?”
    “Not this time.” He couldn’t stop the wide smile taking over his lips. Something about her made him want to hear her laugh.
    When she did, the whole room seemed brighter. Hell, he wanted to laugh with her. One glance at his partner’s raised eyebrow dissolved the ridiculous urge. He cleared his throat instead, hating to tell Nia what they had found out about her friend. “It looks like Tess is involved in this.”
    “Seriously?” The gentle smile disappeared as her eyes shifted from his to his partner’s.
    Quin nodded watching the look of hurt on her face shift to one of anger. “The police found pictures of the safe at Fletcher’s in her house and a notepad filled with numbers.”
    “You think she was trying to crack the code to steal the jewels from right under my nose?” Nia sat her muffin down with a thud.
    “Do you recall her ever hanging around while you opened the safe?”
    He found his gaze falling from her eyes to the diamond studs in her earlobes as she answered Stephanie’s question. The small stones glittered as she lifted her chin.
    “There were times when she would come into the office as I opened it.” Nia shook her head. “I can’t believe I never noticed her making an effort to see the numbers I was dialling.”
    “Don’t blame yourself, Nia. Why would you suspect someone you’ve been working with for almost a year?” Quin looked at Stephanie. He could read her expression in a heartbeat. Unless you were involved too.
    “If you think of anything else, let us know. The smallest detail could be the break we need.” Stephanie lifted her mug. “Thanks for the coffee.”
    “You’re welcome. Would you like a refill?”
    “Don’t mind if I do… “ She held out her cup as she answered her cell.
    “How about you?” Nia asked as his partner walked into the living room.
    “I’m good.” He finished the last bite of his muffin as she poured more coffee into her mug.
    “Why wasn’t your partner with you the night of the robbery?” Nia asked as she leant back against the counter. The sunlight coming in from the kitchen window picked up the ginger highlights in her hair.
    “We don’t always work together. She was actually staking out another jewellery store in the area we suspected these guys would target.”
    “Are you talking about Lambert’s?”
    Quin nodded. “They’ve almost reached Fletcher’s in yearly sales.”
    “They won’t beat us.” Nia turned and placed her mug on the counter.
    “And why’s that?”
    “They don’t have me.”
    No, they sure the hell don’t.
    She winked at him and he was disgusted to feel his cock swell in response. He encountered many beautiful women with the cases he worked on, so why was he having such a hard time reining in his libido with this lady? “You obviously love your job.”
    “I do. I’ve always loved jewellery. When someone walks into the store,” she absently twisted the diamond stud in her ear, “I look forward to making their special occasion memorable ¼ unforgettable.”
    “To sell it, you don’t wear much of the sparkly stuff.” He watched her pick up muffin crumbs with the