All He Really Needs Read Free

her words teasing, there
was something guarded in her expression. But maybe that was to be expected.
She’d made it clear when they first got involved that this was a just-sex kind
of relationship. Nothing more. Which was perfect because he was a nothing-more
kinda guy.
    Still, leaving before his girl even got out of the shower was a
little harsh, even for a nothing-more kinda guy.
    She bent over at the waist to wrap her shoulder-length auburn
hair into one of those turban things only women seemed to be able to manage,
then straightened, frowning. “What’s up?”
    He fished a house key out of his pocket and set it on the
bathroom counter beside the contact case and tiny toiletry bag she carried in
her purse. “I have to head out. Lock up when you leave?”
    Her frown deepened. “Wait. I don’t want… I mean, why…”
    He didn’t give her more time to protest but gave her a quick
peck on the lips. “Don’t worry. You can give it back to me the next time you see
me. Stay as long as you want. There are muffins or you can find something in
fridge. Marcella always leaves stuff like that.”
    “But…” she tried to protest again.
    He pretended to misunderstand. There was no point in her
getting upset before he knew what Dalton wanted. “Text me later tonight and let
me know what your plans are.”
    She caught up with him just shy of the bedroom door and stopped
him with a hand to the arm and an unwavering stare. “What’s going on?”
    Her stare did him in. Something about her warm brown eyes made
it impossible for him to lie to her. “Dalton stopped by. We’re going to
lunch.”
    “Dalton? Dalton, my boss?”
    He grinned, partly hoping to disarm her and partly because her
shock was amusing. “You know any other Daltons?”
    “Do you think he’s here because he knows about us?”
    “No,” he said, perfectly honestly. “I think he’s here because
he’s up to his neck in this crap our dad has dumped on him. He may be your boss,
but he’s also my brother.” He dropped another kiss on her mouth. “Don’t worry,
he’ll never know you were here. I’ll take care of it.”
    Then, because he just couldn’t resist, he gave her ass a
squeeze beneath the towel before leaving the room. She had a great ass. He only
hoped that Dalton showing up today hadn’t spooked her so badly he never saw it
again.
    *
    She was going to kill Griffin. What the hell did he
mean, he’d take care of it? Was he going to take
care of it like he took care of that pothos ivy that had been slowly dying in
his living room? Or like he took care of… Well, crap, she couldn’t even be
properly indignant because she couldn’t very well rant against his lax attitude
toward taking care of things because as far as she knew, he had absolutely no
responsibilities in life other than keeping that damn potted plant alive. And he
appeared to be failing at that.
    For several stunned minutes, Sydney stood there beside the
door, listening to the murmur of voices from the other side. She could
distinguish none of the words and barely registered the tone. But she tried
because somehow it seemed deathly important that she hear every nuance of their
conversation.
    Which was ridiculous because this probably had nothing to do
with her. Dalton had a lot on his plate right now. She knew that better than
anyone. She was one of the few people with whom Dalton could even discuss the
missing heiress. For the previous week, he’d asked her to hand her normal
workload off to someone else on the support staff so that she could devote her
time to doing legwork in the search.
    She and Griffin had never discussed the missing heiress, but it
made perfect sense he’d be worried about it. His livelihood was also at stake.
The entire company was at risk. Her job, too, now that she thought about it.
    So of course Dalton would need to talk to Griffin. That made
perfect sense. Totally, completely logical.
    Still, she kept her ear pressed to the door until she