Double Cross. Terri Reed

shoulders. Her very personal and nonbusiness invitation to church gave him an idea. Taking a chance that she’d not rebuff him for invading her bubble, he slipped his arm around her waist, drawing her close, liking how perfectly they fit together. “Would you like to pray?”

      “Oh, yes,” she replied, her expression grateful and heart-wrenching. She bowed her head slightly and closed her eyes.

      Writing off this very intimate action on his part as only human decency, Ryan bowed his head but kept his gaze alert for any sudden threats.

      “Father God, we humbly ask for your protection over Tutu. Bring her home safely. I…”

      A tear fell and landed on the dirt-covered stair by her feet. Ryan couldn’t stand to see her cry and hugged her closer, aching for her and wishing he could make her fear and worry evaporate. He added his own silent prayer, Please, God, give this woman peace and comfort and don’t let anything bad happen.

      Where was Tutu?

      Kiki shook her head and wiped at her eyes as she pulled away. “Sorry.”

      “No need to be. Not with me.”

      She smiled slightly and caught his gaze. Light flicked in the depths of her gold-flecked eyes. He wanted to reach toward the glow, to rejoice within the heat of her stare. The moment stretched as some indescribable emotion welled in his chest, constricting his breathing.

      “Are you hungry?” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

      “Starved,” he replied as his gaze dropped to her lips. What would she do if he kissed her?

      She scrambled to her feet as if she’d read his thought. “Come in. I’ll fix something.”

      Ryan shook his head to clear his thoughts, glad she’d broken the moment. Kiss her? No way was he going down some romantic road just because he’d lost his mind for a few seconds.

      Pure insanity.

      He was here for a reason that had nothing to do with forming an emotional relationship with Kiki. He really had to get a grip and keep focused. To remind himself of his purpose, he looked back over his shoulder at the view.

      The land, vibrant and energizing in all its natural beauty from the densely tree-covered hillside, the acres of terrain with so much potential, all the way to the cliffs where the reverberation of the churning surf crashing on the rocks and sand below made a calming background sound.

      Definitely worth the money Horatio was offering. The money Ryan would make if the sale went through. The money that would bring him that much closer to financial success. Then he could plan his future.

      But first he had to protect his investor’s interest.