“Money to burn,” I reiterate. “And there was no definitive proof or guarantee it was there. Even with all their money and influence, they couldn’t convince the authorities to let them reopen it. The locals believed the mine was cursed and no one wanted anything to do with it.”
“And why is this good?”
“Let me give you some backstory on my parents. They’ve always ignored me. Poor little rich boy, right?”
“I didn’t say that.”
I cock my head, pretty sure she was thinking it. “Yeah, well, after the divorce, they fought over how to split everything. The one thing they were in agreement on? Gift me with a collapsed, useless diamond mine on my twelfth birthday. It got it off their hands and seemed like a grand gesture.” I roll my eyes.
“So, you’re saying we won’t have to steal it.”
“Nope. Whatever we find in that mine belongs to me. Gotta love karma. And if you help me, I’ll split it with you.”
Her eyes narrow as she considers my proposition. “Why? If it truly belongs to you, why give me any of it?”
“Because I think you’d be the perfect partner. We made a pretty good team in Austria.” I send her a crooked smile. “So, what do you say, my little English crumpet? Wanna go on another wild adventure with me?”
“Please, stop calling me that.”
“Then tell me your full name. Delaney…” My voice trails off expectantly.
“Why?”
“Because instead of crumpet, I’ll call you Miss whatever-your-last-name-is.”
“I like when you call me Delaney,” she reveals, voice soft. For a moment, she seems to be debating in her head. I’m pretty sure she’s going to brush me off when she finally says, “Delaney Marquette.”
“French?” Surprise laces my voice.
“On my dad’s side, but I was born and raised in England.”
“Alright then, Miss Marquette, what do you say? Are you going to run away and disappear forever, very likely breaking my heart in the process? Or would you like to accompany me to Africa? And before you answer, know that I have full access to handcuffs and a stun gun, too.”
Her lips twitch. “Are you threatening to kidnap me?”
“If that’s what it takes.”
“And if I disappear instead?” she murmurs carefully. “Why would that break your heart?”
I reach for her hand, lift it and brush my lips against her knuckles. “Because you, Delaney Marquette, have captured my attention in every way possible.”
“Oh, really?” she asks on a husky breath.
“Really. And I’m not above stunning your gorgeous ass if it means keeping you around longer.” I release her hand and gently cup her face, hoping what I’m about to saydoesn’t send her skittering off like a wild rabbit. “When I kiss you… touch you… something electric happens. Something I’ve never experienced before. I think that’s worth exploring. Don’t you?”
Instead of answering with words, she presses her lips to mine. I don’t push or try to take control. Just savor her mouth moving against mine, a little tentative and so very sweet. Her tongue traces my lower lip and then she pulls back.
“I’ll go to Africa with you,” she whispers. “You don’t have to stun me.”
I smirk. “Would you have really stunned me if I’d given you trouble at the gym?”
She gives me an angelic smile. “Yes.”
I huff out a laugh at her brutal honesty. Because, yeah, I believe her.
Dipping her head to mostly hide her smile, she looks up at me through her lashes. “We make quite a fucked-up duo, huh?”
The air between us is heating up fast. Wrapping my hand around the back of her neck, I whisper, “In the best possible way,” before I capture her lips in another kiss.
