Triple Diamonds (Mystic Nights #2)(27)

Jewel was completely blown away by Joseph’s little speech. He wanted to know more about her. There really wasn’t much to tell. Should she risk it? She had to admit, she’d felt something from the moment she’d met him. And she’d thought about him a lot since then. But she hadn’t thought he would want to pursue more than something casual. But here he was! He wouldn’t be saying these things unless he meant it. Taking a deep breath, she decided to throw caution to the wind. Why the hell not? She gave him a brief, quick nod, still unable to form words.

Seeing that slight insecure nod was all he needed. He took a step forward into her personal space, and she was forced to take a step back. Her body was now trapped between his car and him. He bent slightly down and inhaled her fresh natural scent, noticing she smelled like spring, daffodils, and roses.

He felt her trembling, and lifted his hands to stroke her arms. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

She glanced up at him then quickly looked towards the house. She heard the rumble deep in his chest. Then, he whispered seductively, “No, one is looking. You can kiss me if you want to, Jewels. I won’t mind in the least.” He wanted to know if the spark was still there. He knew it would be, but still he wanted her to kiss him.

God, she was tempted. He was so very attractive. She knew her brothers would bombard her with questions the moment she went back inside. She gazed at his chest. He was so tempting. Delicious. The body hidden underneath those clothes had her fantasizing about him all day, too.

When he saw her bite her bottom lip, he growled low. Her eyes widened. “You have beautiful lips, Jewels.”

She gave voice to her insecurities. Bringing a man into her life was bringing someone into her brother’s lives too. “Joseph, what are you really doing here? With me?” she inquired.

He saw the doubt in her eyes. He wanted to be honest. “Jewel, I want to be honest with you. I don’t know. I don’t date woman. But, I do want to take you out on a date very much. I don’t normally see a woman more than once, but I want to see you more than once. I don’t normally think about a woman after I have sex with her, but I can’t get you out of my head. So,” his voice trailed off, and his lips touched her forehead softly. “So, how about we take this one day at a time and just see where it goes?” Damn it all to hell, he couldn’t believe he was saying these words, but when he was with her, this stuff just came tumbling out of his mouth and he realized he meant every word of it.

She released her bottom lip and looked up into those coppery eyes. They looked sincere. “Okay,” she agreed, and moved into him. One day at a time. With Joseph Sassacus. She could do that.

Her snuggling up against him was the invitation he’d been waiting for. Removing one hand from her arms, he took her chin and tilted her head up so he could claim those lips. He’d wanted to do that since she opened the door.

Without hesitation, Jewel opened up to his tongue when it sought entrance. She tasted the man, the coffee on him, and as his tongue tangled with hers in her driveway, with her brothers probably watching from the window, she became lost in the moment. Lost to all her good sense. If he was willing to see where this was going, then so would she. Taking the biggest chance of her life, on a man like him, was a gamble, but she was going to roll the dice. She wrapped her arms around Joseph’s neck and clung to him as he took the kiss deeper. It was intoxicating. To them both.

When it ended, they were both breathless and panting.

“Dinner? Tomorrow night?” he asked knowing she worked but got off at nine.

“I get off at nine,” she answered.

“I know,” he replied before claiming her lips once more. She was too incredible to resist.





Chapter 9




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Everything was ready. Joseph had decided to cook for Jewel. He was taking a big chance cooking for a chef, but he also felt the need to open himself up more to her. His barging in on her last night had been a sudden decision, and he knew she might be feeling a little vulnerable that she had been forced to share so much of herself.

He still wasn’t sure it was a good idea letting someone into his sanctuary, but his initial concern about it had been bypassed when he saw she was related to the two boys she had meet yesterday morning. She wasn’t a thief. And her brothers seemed like normal teenagers who had recovered, were still recovering from the tragedy of their parents’ deaths. They were not involved in some grand scheme to rob the casino. His gut told him that. He’d just been caught up in the mystery of her, and with what had been happening at the casino of late, he was only being appropriately cautious he told himself.

Joseph checked the garlic bread in the oven, setting the heat on a low setting to keep everything warm, and he tried to figure out what exactly he was doing with Jewel Diamante. He still wasn’t even sure himself.

She was definitely on his mind more than he cared to admit. He’d called a half an hour ago and suggested she come to his place for dinner instead of going out. He’d heard the hesitancy in her voice, but he assured her it was just dinner, and she could set the pace. They could take things slow if that was what she wanted. Although he was hoping for more.

After a prolonged moment of silence from her end, Jewel finally consented, but told him she needed to go home and change first. He’d caught her just before her shift ended, and from a quick glance at the clock he knew she’d be there any moment.