Don't Tempt Me Read Free Page A

every day of the week, but it beats the heck out of filling orders off a menu in someone else's kitchen." He tried another shrimp. "Mmm, better. Try it now." He dredged a shrimp through the sauce and held it to her mouth.
    She pulled back with a wary frown.
    "Come on ..." he coaxed.
    She hesitated, then opened her mouth and took the shrimp. His fingertips brushed her lips, sending a shot of tingling heat through her, followed by the spicy chill of the sauce.
    "Delicious, huh?"
    She nodded, trying to focus on food, not thoughts of what Adrian might taste like. "So, who's cooking while you're gone?"
    "My sisters, Rory and Alli. They aren't exactly slouches in the kitchen, even if they're no match for me."
    "You should get that ego checked." She waved a shrimp at him. "I think it may be growing."
    "No, it's always been this big."
    She laughed, thinking his charm would be so much easier to resist if he took himself more seriously. He clearly didn't, though, and his easy manner lulled her as effectively as the wine over the next half hour. Their conversation flowed between bites of blackened redfish and creamy pasta. By the time they'd finished dinner, other patrons were scattered about the restaurant. Candles had been lit, lending a touch of romance to the rustic decor. Outside, dark had fallen so that only the white crests of the waves shone in the lights from the pier.
    Jackie relaxed back in her chair as the server cleared away their plates and asked if they wanted dessert. When Jackie said no, Adrian ordered something for himself and two cappuccinos. Taking up his wine glass, he leaned back as well and turned slightly toward her. The move created an odd sense of intimacy, as if they were lounging side by side somewhere private, rather than sitting at a table in a semicrowded restaurant.
    He studied the wine in his glass. "How much do you actually know about the powder horn?"
    The question jolted her. During dinner, she'd almost forgotten why he'd taken her out and what he wanted from her.
    "Now, don't get all stiff on me," he said in a lazy drawl. " just want to know if you're aware of the whole story."
    She crossed her arms over her chest. "I know the powder horn once belonged to Jean Lafitte. He gave it to my ancestor, Jack Kingsley's grandfather, before sailing for South America. Several of the pirates who had followed Lafitte from New Orleans to Galveston decided to stay in Texas and start a new life. Jack's grandfather was one of them. In an impromptu ceremony, Lafitte presented the powder horn to Reginald Kingsley as a memento of their adventures together. Since Lafitte liked to refer to the horn as his 'most treasured possession,' my family called it 'Lafitte's treasure' as a joke. Unfortunately, the joke has gotten out of hand over the years."
    "Do you know why Lafitte called it that?"
    "No. I only know that every treasure hunter out there thinks there's a chest of gold somewhere, and that ---as a Kingsley descendant ---I should know where it is. Only, there is no chest of gold. It doesn't exist."
    "What if" ---Adrian looked directly into her eyes ---"I told you the powder horn was worth more than gold?"

Chapter 2
    The waitress picked that moment to arrive with the dessert and cappuccinos. Jackie waited impatiently for her to leave before turning to Adrian. "What do you mean, the powder horn is more valuable than gold?"
    Rather than answer, Adrian picked up his fork and took a bite of pie made of coffee-flavored ice cream smothered in chocolate and whipped cream. "Mmm. This is good. Here, try some."
    "I don't want dessert, I want you to answer my question."
    "Come on ..." He waved the folk, tempting her. "One bite."
    Holding back frustration, she opened her mouth, then smothered a moan of pleasure as the frozen treat melted on her tongue.
    "Let's go back to your conversation with Scott Lawrence a couple months ago," Adrian said as he swirled his fork through the whipped cream.
    Jackie recalled the day clearly. The