Hot Rocks

handcuffs.
    “Why, Alex, if there’s going to be bondage fun, I’d really appreciate that wine first.”
    “You think I’m buying this?”
    “I’m not selling anything.” And maybe he wasn’t buying, but he was listening to the pitch. She sighed as the cuffs landed in her lap. “All right, your way. Where do you want them?”
    “Arm of the couch, to your right hand.”
    Though the idea of locking herself up had her throat going dry, she did what he said, then sent him a sultry look. “How about that drink?”
    With a nod, he walked over to the kitchen, took a bottle out of a cupboard. “Cabernet?”
    “Perfect. Do you mind if I ask why a man with your skills and tastes hooked up with Jack?”
    “He was useful. And why are you trying to play the hard-edged opportunist?”
    She pretended to pout. “I don’t like to think I’m hard, just realistic.”
    “What you are is a small-town shopkeeper who has the bad luck to have my property.”
    “I think it’s remarkably good luck.” She took the wine he offered, sipped. “The shop’s a nice, steady game. Selling old, often useless items at a nice profit. Also gives me entry into a lot of places that have more old, often useless and very valuable items. I keep my hand in.”
    “Well.” And she could see that while he hadn’t considered that angle before, he was now.
    “Look, you’ve got a beef with the old man, fine. He’s nothing to me but an albatross. And if he ever taught me anything, it was to look out for number one.”
    Crew shook his head slowly. “You walked out of that shop with me without a sound, primarily to protect the clerk.”
    “I wasn’t going to argue with the gun you were shoving into my side. And you’re right, I didn’t want you to hurt her. She’s a friend, and for God’s sake, she’s nearly seven months pregnant. I’ve got some lines, Alex. I steer clear of violence.”
    “This is entertaining.” He sat, gestured. “How do you explain the fact you’re having an affair with Gannon, the insurance investigator?”
    “He’s terrific in bed, but even if he was a wash in that area, I’d have gotten him there. Keep your friends close, Alex, and your enemies closer. I know every move he makes before he makes it. And here’s one for free, show of good faith: he’s in New York today.” She leaned forward. “They’re cooking up a scam to smoke you out. There should be a press release by tomorrow, claiming Max recovered a portion of the diamonds. Max’s bright idea is that will set you off, push you into doing something rash. He’s smart, I’ll give him that, but so far, he can’t get a handle on you.”
    “I guess that makes me smarter.”
    “I guess it does,” she agreed. “He’s closing in on Jack, and God knows dear old Dad won’t shake him for long. But he hasn’t got a clue how to run you down.” Ego, ego, ego. Pump his ego. “He’s trying this Hail Mary pass.”
    “Interesting, but an insurance investigator hardly concerns me.”
    “Why should he? You took him out once already. I had to kiss his hurts.” She chuckled. “And doing that, I’ve kept him busy enough to give you room.”
    “You want me to thank you. Consider the fact you’re not currently in any pain my thanks. Where are the diamonds, Ms. Tavish?”
    “Let’s make it Laine. I think we’re beyond formalities. I’ve got them. Jack’s and Willy’s.” She shifted on the seat, put a purr in her voice. “What are you going to do with all that money, Alex? Travel? Buy a small country? Sip mimosas on a beach somewhere? Don’t you think all of those things, all of the lovely, lovely things people can do with big, fat piles of money is more fun with a like-thinking companion?”
    His gaze drifted to her mouth, back up to her eyes. “Is this how you seduced Gannon?”
    “No, actually, in that case, I pretended to let him seduce me. He’s the type that needs to chase and conquer. I bring a lot to the table. You can have the diamonds, and you can have me.”
    “I could have them both anyway.”
    She sat back, sipped. “You could. I find men who enjoy rape the lowest form. If you’re one of them, I’ve misjudged you. You could rape me, beat me, shoot me. I’d certainly tell you where the diamonds are. But then . . .” She sipped again, and put a wicked gleam in her eye. “You wouldn’t know if I was telling the truth. You could waste a great deal of time, and I could suffer considerable discomfort. Not very practical