She pushed him back and hopped off the table, shoving her skirt down.
Adult, be an adult, Haven. She made herself look at him.
God, those lips. And his scent—he always smelled like sandalwood and pine.
“That shouldn’t have happened,” she persisted.
He crossed his muscular arms over his chest. “It should. And it should happen again.”
Damn, if he touched her again, her willpower would crumble like tissue paper. She was so weak when it came to him.
“No.” She held up her hand, channeling some of Gia’s attitude.
“You’re going to have to do better with the excuses than Easton and Gia.” Rhys cocked his head, a lock of dark-brown hair flopping over his forehead.
Oh, her hand itched to brush it away, or sink her hands into it and climb him like a…
Focus, Haven. “I’ve sworn off men.”
He blinked. “What?”
“Men. I’m done.” She made a chopping motion with her hand. “From now on, I’m flying solo, and getting my life back on track. I have no room for you.”
He arched a brow. “Were you just here for that kiss?”
Haven decided it was best to stay quiet.
“You know what would’ve happened if we’d kept going?” His voice lowered to a deep, sexy murmur.
Haven fought back a shiver. “Don’t—”
“I would have finally gotten my hands under that tight skirt that hugs your ass and makes my mouth go dry.”
She sucked in a breath.
“I would have pushed you onto your back, splayed you on my table, and torn whatever scrap of silk or lace you’re wearing as panties.”
Her body was alive, heat washing through her. She closed her eyes.
“I would’ve touched your sweet pussy, then gotten my mouth on you. Had you writhing until you came on my tongue, screaming my name.”
Oh. God. She was not strong enough to fight this. She wanted all that, and more.
She opened her eyes. “Rhys—”
His cell phone rang.
They stared at each other, then he yanked it out and answered.
“Sax, tell me you have good news.” A pause, then Rhys cursed. “He won’t talk, even with some persuasion?” A second later, Rhys grunted. “He’s scared of someone. Yeah, okay, keep me posted.” He ended the call, his gaze coming back to her.
Haven twisted her hands together. “Nothing?”
“No.”
“He probably has nothing to do with the theft of the Water Lilies,” she said.
She got a grunt in response, and Rhys took a step toward her. “We aren’t finished.”
Her pulse leaped.
Then his phone rang again. This time, he muttered a string of curses. “Norcross.” Another pause. “Yeah, talk.”
Well, it looked like the universe had thrown her a bone. She’d been saved from making a huge mistake with Rhys by the phone.
She wondered why she felt so disappointed.
“Okay, see you there,” Rhys’ face was set in serious lines.
Haven licked her lips. “What now?”
“A contact might have info on the painting.”
Her lungs locked. “That’s great. Who is he?”
“A dealer.”
“What’s his name? I might know him.”
“You don’t.”
“Rhys, the art world is my area. I know loads of people.”
“He’s a black-market dealer.”
She gasped. “A thief? You hang out with thieves?”
He snatched up his car keys. “I have a varied list of people who give me information. Now, come on, I’ll drop you home.”
“Oh no, hotshot investigator.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “I’m coming with you.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
His brows drew together. “No.”
“Yes.” She wasn’t going to be left behind to sit around and wring her hands. She sucked at hand wringing.
Chapter Five
As Rhys pulled up to the seedy bar in Potrero Hill, he wondered how the fuck he’d let her talk him into this.
He’d stopped by the office and swapped his Mercedes for an SUV. He parked the X6 on a side street, and glanced Haven’s way. There was a shine of excitement on her bruised face.
Shit, she was here because he couldn’t say no to her. He saw that she needed this. Needed to help in some way.
He got out and circled the car. He’d changed out of his suit into jeans, a T-shirt, and boots. This wasn’t a suit kind of place.
“No talking, stay beside me,” he warned her.
She tossed him a sloppy salute and with a shake of his head, he walked down the street and around the corner to the bar. They entered, and it took a second to adjust to the gloom. Even at this time of day, there were plenty of people sitting around, drinking.
Rhys headed for the booths at the back. Haven attracted way too much attention. She was still in her skirt, and looking gorgeous.
He grabbed her hand, and shot a few glares around.
Then he spotted his contact, Hammon, sipping what was probably watered-down bourbon.
Rhys pushed Haven into the booth, then followed her in.
Hammon was in his late fifties, grizzled, with short, gray hair. He’d spent way too long in the sun in his life, and it showed in his leathery face.
The man eyed Haven. “See you upgraded your sidekick, Norcross. She’s prettier than that hardass Buchanan.”
“Don’t look at her. What have you got for me?”
Hammon shifted. “Heard murmurs of a big sale.”
“Those murmurs say what was for sale?”
The older man leaned his elbows on the table. “Nope. Just that it was worth a lot of money.”
Rhys drummed his fingers on the table. “Names.”
“No, don’t have names.”
Rhys growled. “Why the fuck call me down here to this shithole to tell me nothing, Hammon?”
“Because I got a possible location where they’re storing it.”
Haven gasped and Hammon glanced at her, or rather, at her chest.
Rhys snapped his fingers to regain the man’s attention. “Where?”
“Just down the street. Warehouse that used to be an old factory.” He rattled off an address and sipped his drink. “No one there right now. I was waiting around and saw a bunch of guys leave.”
“I’ll check it out.”
Hammon sniffed. “I don’t want payment, just help when I need it.”
“If this pans out, I’ll owe you.” Rhys rose. He was used to doing unsavory deals with unsavory people, but often it got him the information he needed.
“So, who’s your girl, Norcross?”
Rhys ignored the man and kept walking, towing Haven behind him. He wanted her out of there. And he wanted to punch every scumbag in the face who was looking at her.
This possessive need was new to him. He rarely got possessive over a woman.
Outside, Haven glanced down the street. “So, are we going to check that warehouse out now?”
“No, I’ll check it out. I need to drop you at the Norcross office first.”
“Rhys, no.” She grabbed his hand. “It’s right there. Your—” she hesitated for a second “—friend said the place is empty.”