“Yeah, I do, and you two could be twins. Except I’ve never seen him without a hat and sunglasses on,” she admitted.
The waiter brought their drinks. Joshua tipped him and she hated feeling indebted to her ex-boss any more than she was for being on this paid vacation yet not being his employee any longer. No, that was all on whoever stole the money, and she wasn’t going to feel guilty about it.
She drank some of the water and then sipped on the perfect combo of mango, strawberry, and pineapple. It was delicious and replaced the taste of salt water from their snuba. She noticed the newlywed couple sitting farther down the beach. Each on their own chair this time, eyes closed, not talking. She hoped they could get over such a silly fight as him not being able to breathe on a snuba excursion.
“Jade.” Joshua’s soft, husky voice brought her head around. “I know there’s some uncomfortable … junk between us.”
She let herself focus on those blue eyes and felt herself being tugged in as surely as a fish on a hook. “Yeah,” she agreed.
“And I understand you’re ‘sort of dating’ this Jesse guy.”
“Yeah, I am.” She sucked down more of her drink.
“But I have to admit that I’m drawn to you, I feel a connection to you. I haven’t felt something like this in a very, very long time. At the risk of being too persistent, will you please spend some time with me, as friends?” he included quickly.
Jade’s face was flushed, and she needed more water. She drained another quarter of the bottle before dropping it on the table. He was drawn to her, felt a connection? She couldn’t lie and say she didn’t feel the same. “So we just ignore all the crap between us and hang out? What about Curtis and crew? Don’t you need to spend time with them?”
“They’re having a great trip. They’re fine.” He looked her over. “Please, Jade. Please give me a chance.”
Jade didn’t know how to resist him. “Here’s the deal, Buster Brown.”
He smiled. “Okay.”
“You understand that Jesse is the guy I want, and you and I are only hanging out as friends.”
His jaw tightened, but he didn’t say anything.
“And you promise to keep investigating, and when you find out the truth about the real thief, you beg for my forgiveness?”
He nodded seriously.
“And you don’t get all Touchy Ted on me.” She lifted an imperious eyebrow and folded her arms across her chest.
“That one’s going to be extremely difficult.” His blue eyes deepened to a navy and the smoldering look in them robbed her of oxygen.
Jade put a hand to her throat and reminded herself to breathe. “Why?” she squeaked out.
“I think I’ve made it more than obvious how appealing you are to me. Not touching you goes against every instinct I have.”
Jade wanted to melt in a puddle right there.Jesse. Joshua thinks I’m a thief. No trust. None of her reminders were helping. “Sorry. Deal or no deal?” She raised one eyebrow.
“Can I hold your hand in instances like snuba?”
She pursed her lips and finally nodded.
“Can I put my hand on your lower back when we’re walking into dinner. You know, simply being a gentleman like my mother taught me?”
Jade imagined them walking into dinner: him in that button-down shirt that brought out the blue in his eyes, her in a fitted dress that made it impossible for him to keep his eyes off of her. He would look at her as if she was his world, like he was right now. Heat filled her, but she focused on friendship. Finally, she wouldn’t be alone.
“As a gentleman,” she finally admitted. “I can make those allowances.”
“What if you trip and I have to catch you in my arms?” He leaned closer, and her pulse raced. “And I have to pull you against my chest and hold you close, just to make certain you’re all right.” The look in his eyes said he knew exactly what he was doing to her.
Jade clutched her throat and gasped out, “Can’t … breathe.”
He grinned and leaned even closer. “I’m well-trained in mouth to mouth.”
She panted for air and tried to pretend he was teasing, “I’ll bet you are,” she flung at him.