So Tempting Read Online Free Page A

McMullen."
    Clamping down hard on the adrenaline, Jace surveyed the red-rimmed eyes, the shadows lining his face, the dust-streaked clothes. "Give us a minute, will you?"
    "Sure." He stepped toward the door with a smartass grin. "Nice meeting you."
    Gabriel glanced at Jace and frowned. He smoothed at the line she knew must be carved between her eyes.
    She blew a puff of air that fluttered her uneven bangs. "I'm sorry about that." Dealing with Jimmy made her tired, and she'd been doing it so long. Would he ever grow up?
    "Want me to stay?"
    "No. I can handle it. I've had plenty of practice."
    Gabriel tilted her chin up and studied her eyes. "I didn't let you get much sleep last night."
    A pang of longing shot through her, a spike of need for what had been snatched prematurely by Jimmy's arrival. She'd been primed for Gabriel ever since he'd spoken their code words in the hall. She just hadn't expected to find him lying in wait.
    "Where's your SUV?"
    He smiled. "Out back. Like the surprise?"
    "You don't wrestle so bad, Counselor, for a soft lawyer type."
    "Nothing about me feels soft right now, Detective."
    "His timing sucks."
    "Ain't it the truth? Want me to come back later?"
    Regret pressed in on her. "I don't know why he's here, but I'll come to you later if I can."
    He slid one hand into her hair. Delivered a scorching kiss, then released her. He stuffed in his shirt and buckled his belt, hooked his tie and jacket over his shoulder. "I'll leave the light on, Detective." With a two-fingered salute, he waved goodbye and strolled to the door. 
    In a minute, she heard his car start, tires crunching on the gravel.
    Running the fingers of one hand through her hair, Jace sighed, squatted on the floor and picked up scattered buttons. She carried them across the room to place them on the bar that separated the small living room from her kitchen, then adjusted her bra and tied her blouse together beneath her breasts.
    "Come on in, Jimmy."
    Jimmy entered, whistling. "Well, well..."
    "Shut it," Jace growled.
    "Now, Sis, nothing to be ashamed of, just 'cause you're doing the nasty barely inside the front door." He lifted his palms. "No complaints here. Nice to see you acting human."
    She recovered the groceries she'd dropped and headed for the kitchen. He looked like seven kinds of hell, yet here he was with a smirk on his face. His eyes didn't match his mouth, though. "What kind of trouble are you in this time?"
    He recoiled as if she'd slapped him. "I don't need this shit."
    "What exactly do you need?" Memories of Sam Sunshine prodded at her. "Where have you been this time?"
    "None of your business," he muttered, face flushing.
    "Unless you're ready for a handout or a free bed or someone to take care of you until you get the urge to skip out again, that is."
    Looking tired and worn and lost, Jimmy shifted his weight from one foot to the other.
    Jace wrestled her temper under control. Concentrated on putting away the groceries. "When's the last time you had a decent meal?"
    "What do you care?" Then his long, angular body settled into resignation. "It's been awhile."
    "Come on." She squeezed his arm. "Put your pack in the spare room and wash up. I'll fix you something to eat. Just let me change first."
    "No, Jace. I'm not staying here."
    Her head shot up. "Where else would you stay?" Jimmy had never remained in Santa Fe long enough to make friends.
    An odd glow lit his gaze. "I've found a place to belong, people who understand. It's what I've been searching for." His voice was uncharacteristically determined. "For so long I've searched for answers—why Dad died, why Mom's a drunk and doesn't give a shit about us."
    Jace was astonished; he'd never given a sign that he cared about more than the next party or drug, the next easy money.
    "I want to make my life mean something, and I've found others on the same path."
    She blinked. What was he saying? "You mean, like a church?"
    "Better than that. A new way of being, a different universe