Hide & Seek Read Free Page B

on the beach had required extreme distraction.
    “Every day this week I’ve done some form of work. So, tonight, I’m going to enjoy the ocean, the breeze and the solitude all by myself.” She gave an emphatic nod of her head.
    Emma’s goal for their time away included as many single-night escapades as possible.
    She smiled as she applied a layer of blush. “Whatever you say. I’d think dinner at a four-star restaurant with a ripped man would be enjoyable, too.” She raised an eyebrow as if to imply there might be more than a meal—which for Emma would be the truth.
    Lexi’s laugh reflected her happiness for her sister. “I’ll leave the flirtation to you given you’re so much better at it than me.” She headed toward her room. “It’s a whole lot easier to just stay away from men.” And very necessary when the one torturing your mind is engaged.
    “But a lot less fun.”
    Yeah . Lexi said nothing. Emma didn’t need to know she agreed. Time to find that jewel. Where most people would stop their search for a missing item and it would eventually turn up, Lexi would set her mind to the task and could follow a path right to it. She flopped on the bed and imagined the pendant as she’d seen it before she’d tucked it beneath her dress.
    Her mind drifted, following a circuitous road of images that would lead her to its location. Pictures jumped from one to another until Tripp’s profile appeared instead of the blue sapphire-looking gem.
    She blinked open her eyes to find the ceiling staring back at her. Maybe I’ll meet Mr. Fine-and-dandy again someday … without the fiancée.
    “Lex.”
    Lexi sighed as she imagined his tug on her hair and his smell, the dark profile and strength in his face.
    “Lexi!” Emma’s second abrupt call ripped Lexi from her daydream.
    “Yeah?” She rose up onto her elbows, preparing for the Emma fashion show which accompanied each night’s departure.
    She walked out in a red form fitted halter top and white tennis skirt, which she’d accented with a string of pearls and a set of Grecian sandals. “What do you think?”
    “Gorgeous, as always,” Lexi said with all sincerity. “Knock ’em dead, Em. Well, don’t kill ’em, but you know what I mean.”
    Emma laughed a sweet tinkle of a sound as she sprayed Chanel into the air and walked back and forth through the cloud. “You can still come, you know. You’re never third wheel, and I really think you need to relax.”
    “That’s what I’ll be doing … tonight.” Lexi made a circle in the air with her finger to prompt Emma to turn.
    A quick check for wrinkles and accidental pinches confirmed her readiness as the chime of the doorbell rang through the house.
    “Want me to see you down?” Lexi asked.
    “Nah. You know where we’ll be if you change your mind.”
    Lexi shook her head. “I’m going to grab a quick shower, then me, the sounds of the ocean, TV and leftovers are going to—” have a pity party .
    Emma’s frown marred her otherwise happy face before she threw air kisses to Lexi and disappeared with one last little sigh.
    In the bathroom, Lexi spun the shower handle to hot. Steam from the water added blotches of fog against the mirror. A single line of condensation created a lazy trail down the shiny silver. She thought of the man who’d appeared as if from nowhere and kindled a fire inside that rivaled the heat in the room.
    “Twenty-nine and single. Never finding the right guy sucks.” She stared at her reflection. “He’s already taken.” Emma’s suggestion that she snag him anyway had her frowning again. Lexi could do it—that, she knew. “Do not make this a game. Do not. Do not. Do not.” She shook off the thought. “Focus on the necklace. Where is the necklace?”
    The images played again, directing her to the pocket of a pair of jeans. Her gaze roamed upward to broad shoulders, a tight blue T-shirt over a muscular chest.
    Get a face first.
    She forced her path up farther, but her mind