The Sapphire Affair (Jewel #1)(26)

Steph wanted to gag, or pretend to gag. Just so he could see how ridiculous he sounded. Yet, she also knew that he meant it. The man fell in love at the drop of a hat and was convinced every woman he screwed was the love of his life.

“That’s great,” she said through clenched teeth. She bit into her toast so she wouldn’t accidentally spew words of utter frustration all over the table.

“You know what’s really great? We connect on every level. It has never been better,” he said, whispering as he waggled his eyebrows at the word it. Oh Lord. Oh dear. Please stop. “At my age, too! Can you believe it?”

“It’s truly astonishing,” she said, deadpan, as he simply beamed in amazement of his own supposed prowess.

“I’m just a lucky son-of-a-bitch. To have love and passion like this. Have you ever just had that kind of instant chemistry with someone?” he asked, snapping his finger.

Her mind wandered briefly to yesterday, and the way Jake had pressed his hard body against hers by the wall. Her stomach loop-the-looped like a hang glider as sparks raced through her. Their chemistry was instantaneous. It was electric. She craved more of it and hoped he’d follow the trail of clues to find her again this afternoon. If he did, perhaps they could explore more of their chemistry.

Wait.

She shouldn’t be thinking about him while talking to her stepdad. She certainly didn’t want to be lusting after Jake in the same breath as Eli waxed on about his bedroom escapades.

Time to press the brakes.

She held up her palm. “Glad you’re happy. But I really don’t need to know the details.”

“Of course not. I’ve said too much about private affairs. But Isla is a giver. Oh, does she ever love to give,” he said, and the look in his eyes as he seemed to drift off momentarily had Steph strongly considering jet-packing her way out of here. He stopped to reach into his pocket. “Speaking of giving, Isla wanted me to give this to you. She can’t wait to meet you.”

He set a small black box on the table. The size gave it away. So did his history. He tapped his manicured finger against the jewel box, then gently nudged it across the white linen tablecloth. A soft breeze blew across the terrace, and Steph tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

“Eli,” she said softly, shaking her head, as if she could erase the prospect of a gift she really shouldn’t take. “You don’t need to do this.”

“Open it,” he commanded.

Her heart beat erratically. She couldn’t take a gift from him. Not now. Not with these questions hanging over her, weighing like a heavy anchor on her heart.

“Please open it,” he urged.

She clicked open the box and gasped. My God, it was gorgeous. She was ashamed at how she nearly salivated at the sight. Glittering on a white silk bed was a stunning diamond.

“I didn’t have it set yet or placed on a chain. I thought, if you like it, we can have it added to your treasure chest,” he said, tipping his chin to her regular necklace.

She swallowed. Her mouth was dry. Shaking her head, she clicked the box closed and pushed it back toward him. “I can’t take this.”

“Nonsense. You can, and you will. It’s a gift. Just because I’m no longer married to Shelly doesn’t mean I don’t care about you, my dear.” He pushed it back to her side. She nudged it back to him. He slid it back to her. “Plus, for every diamond that comes from this mine, money is contributed to help build schools in Africa.”

“That’s nice to hear,” she admitted.

Then, Steph’s spidey senses tingled. Eli adored jewels. Loved them for their sparkle. Loved them for their ability to charm his mistresses. Hell, he’d given the same kind of gifts to them over the years—jewels. Diamond earrings. Ruby necklace. Gold bracelet. Jewelry had been his favorite thing to buy when she was younger.

Was jewelry still his pleasure?

He’d stolen money from his firm, her mother had told her.

Now, he had jewels.

Maybe she was overreaching, but her mind leaped several steps ahead. Had he somehow funneled all that money into jewels? Ferried the money out of the country in gems, like a drug mule?

Her stomach dived. She hoped against hope that this was simply a gift, even though she’d be stupid not to consider other possibilities.

“Thank you,” she said quietly, taking the box. She wasn’t taking it for herself, though. She was taking it to study it. To learn if it was part of his pirate’s booty. “It’s quite lovely.”

“Wonderful. So you’ll come over Thursday night? For dinner?” he asked, diving back into his meal.

She started to say no when she realized dinner might be the very best thing she could do. She’d been invited, and an invitation could lead to information.

“Sure. I would love to,” she said as she reined in a grin. She fixed on a straight ruler mouth, though inside she wanted to punch the air. She was the inside woman with inside access now. This would be a slam dunk to learn the truth of the missing money.

“Fantastic. Isla is having some friends over, too,” he said as he took a drink of his mimosa.

“Oh,” she said, her ebullience fading. That didn’t sound like the ideal occasion for intel gathering. Not with a gaggle of friends.

“Come at seven. My home is gorgeous. I can’t wait for you to see it.”