Masquerade Part 5 by Valerie Francis

Author:Valerie Francis [Francis, Valerie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780994014191
Publisher: Fifth Hammer Books, Inc.

Chapter 6

It was well into the evening by the time Colin left Miguel. Slightly drunk and light-headed from cigar smoke, he'd called a cab to take him home and was now sitting in the back seat, basking in the knowledge that his financial woes would soon come to an end. Celebrations were in order, but rather than call Maureen, he found himself dialling Grace's number. She was the one he wanted and at the first thought of her his body responded, and he began to fantasize about making love to her.

This, he understood, was exactly why they weren't to reveal their identities. If he'd known Grace's address, he'd be on his way to see her now. No hesitation. No thought. He'd simply show up at her door and expect a warm reception. That could completely ruin her life. Logically the rule made complete sense, but right now he wasn't in the mood to be logical.

And besides, what he really needed to do was apologize.

"Well, hello, Marlowe." There was something about her voice that he loved — the mutability maybe. Confident and light in conversation, but smoky and alluring when aroused. He'd figured that out at the chalet. His mind played back the scene of Grace on the sofa and he could hear her words again, deepening bit by bit until that little hint of lust appeared.

"Have I caught you at a bad time?"

"Not at all. I'm just putting up some shelves."

"Shelves?" He asked, his eyebrows raised.

"Yup. Pretty mundane stuff, but if you like, you can pretend I'm doing it in lingerie."

"Mmm, black lace?" He loved the way she'd looked at their first meeting and thought that in a perfect world, every woman would own black lingerie.

"Sure. With black heels and a pink tool belt."

He smiled. If anyone could pull that look off, it would be Grace. "What kind of shelves?"

"Floating. But you didn't call me to discuss home renovations, did you?"

No, he hadn't. In fact, renovating was the very last thing he wanted to talk about. Still, there was something strangely intimate about it. She was allowing him a peek into her real world, and that was something he wanted to pursue. "I don't mind," he said. "Where are you putting them?"

"In the living room, but the anchors that came with them look pretty flimsy. I have others, but they're too short for the screws."

"Do you have access to studs?"

"Just one. But he's not here right now."

He felt the heat rise to his face. "I see."

"I mean, generally I prefer long screws, but short ones have their advantages too."

Marlowe took a deep breath and steadied himself. A gentleman should be helpful now, not horny. "They do indeed," he said. "But if it's drywall you're going into, the anchor is much more important. If you can't get a stud, then the anchor is what's holding the weight.

"So for a long screw, I need two studs. Got it."

He smiled at her wit, but the suggestion of another man in her life made him jealous.

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