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The subtle scent of his cologne covered the stench of alcohol. Finn smelled so good her head spun. She shivered at his nearness, enjoying the refuge of his big body hovering over hers.
When the tourists got off, the elevator doors closed with a mechanical whirr, leaving silence and a pulsing electricity between them.
Jewel curled her fingers into the wall as Finn’s deep voice rumbled. “Are you okay?”
“Yes,” she said breathlessly.
When he backed away, Jewel almost protested.
She straightened and stared at the walls, avoiding Finn’s piercing gaze.
This man was still dangerous.
Jewel just had to stay sane around him long enough to remember that.
12
Another dead end. That’s what Jewel was.
He’d been so certain that this was the one. He’d finally get his chance to end Kross and find the peace that had been eluding him since Courtney was killed.
But with a small shake of her pretty head, Jewel had upended his dreams and shattered his hopes.
Finn had no reason to stick around for this reception.
But he didn’t want to leave.
Not yet.
And he didn’t want to dig too deeply into why.
“This place is nice,” Finn murmured. His eyes scanned the walls that were draped with filmy decorations. Strings of white lights reminded him of better days. A long table filled with candy sat in a corner.
“It took us hours to drape those tables.” Jewel pointed to the long, white tablecloths. “Sky’s a perfectionist so every crease had to be ironed out.”
“You ladies worked hard.”
Jewel nodded, her eyes bright. “But it turned out great.”
“It did.” He smirked, finding her new confidence charming.
“Jewel?” Someone gasped dramatically.
Finn glanced around.
A stocky, dark-skinned man caught his eye. He wore a white shirt, a blue bowtie and black pants. His eyes tore through every inch of Jewel’s body as if he’d never seen a woman before.
Jewel shuffled back a step. “Phillip.”
“Hey.” Finn drilled the stranger with a stare to back off.
Phillip eyed it. “Who are you?”
“Jewel’s date,” Finn said, staking his claim though there really wasn’t any need.
Phillip almost choked. “What?”
Finn ignored the kid and leaned closer to Jewel. “You thirsty?”
