Hearts and Diamonds

by Nichelle Gregory

  “Next Starbucks run is on me.”

  Agent Tan snorted as he rang the bell a second time. “I can’t wait to look into Ms. Sander’s eyes and see if she plays a part in all of this.” She tucked a loose strand of auburn hair behind her ear.

  “I say, no.”

  The sound of the lock turning drew his attention away from his partner.

  “We’ll see,” Agent Tan said with a challenging smile as the door swung open. “Good morning, Ms. Sander.”

  Quin echoed the greeting, unable to keep his eyes from travelling over Nia. She was even lovelier in the soft morning light. The light pink colour of her jogging suit looked amazing against her honey brown skin, curves her work attire had hinted to were now revealed in the loving way the soft material hugged every luscious inch of her body.

  “Oh, hello.” Nia flashed them both a warm smile and stepped aside to let them in.

  “Nia, this is Agent Tan. She’s been a part of this ongoing investigation as well.” He watched her shake Stephanie’s hand and wondered if she always looked so kissable in the morning. She looked damned delicious and there was something delicious baking in the kitchen.

  Get a grip, Rios.

  “Won’t you both come into the kitchen? I have tons of coffee and blueberry muffins if you want some.”

  They followed her through the living room and Quin took in every detail. Twinkling white lights lined the arched entry; Christmas cards filled the top of the coffee table. Her home was warm and inviting with tasteful, understated furniture, a plethora of family photos hanging on the wall and green plants in every corner. He listened to his partner talk as Nia poured them both coffee while trying to ignore the delectable swell of her ass as she moved around the kitchen.

  “So, what did you remember about Tess or Scott?” Agent Tan asked as she took a sip.

  Quin took one of the blueberry muffins Nia offered as she relayed what she’d remembered from her dream. “LA and New York City are known hot spots for where these jewel thieves fence the stolen goods.” His stomach growled as he lifted the muffin to his lips.

  All night stake-outs always went smoother with snacks. His last minute decision to watch over Nia’s house hadn’t left him any time to pick up sustenance.

  “They intend to sell the stolen jewels for cold hard cash.” She popped a bite into her mouth as she stared at him.

  Damn, if she didn’t have the sexiest lips he’d ever seen.

  “That’s correct,” his partner said in his silence. “Happens here and all around the world. It’s a big bad business, usually violent. You’re lucky to have walked away from last night unscathed.”

  Quin flashed his friend a did-you-really-need-to-say-that-look. Stephanie was a helluva agent, but she didn’t always have the people skills locked down tight. “These are really good. Did you make them?” he asked as Nia grinned.

  “Will you arrest me if I tell you I did?”

  “Not this time.” He couldn’t stop the wide smile taking over his lips. Something about her made him want to hear her laugh.

  When she did, the whole room seemed brighter. Hell, he wanted to laugh with her. One glance at his partner’s raised eyebrow dissolved the ridiculous urge. He cleared his throat instead, hating to tell Nia what they had found out about her friend. “It looks like Tess is involved in this.”

  “Seriously?” The gentle smile disappeared as her eyes shifted from his to his partner’s.

  Quin nodded watching the look of hurt on her face shift to one of anger. “The police found pictures of the safe at Fletcher’s in her house and a notepad filled with numbers.”

  “You think she was trying to crack the code to steal the jewels from right under my nose?” Nia sat her muffin down with a thud.

  “Do you recall her ever hanging around while you opened the safe?”

  He found his gaze falling from her eyes to the diamond studs in her earlobes as she answered Stephanie’s question. The small stones glittered as she lifted her chin.

  “There were times when she would come into the office as I opened it.” Nia shook her head. “I can’t believe I never noticed her making an effort to see the numbers I was dialling.”

  “Don’t blame yourself, Nia. Why would you suspect someone you’ve been working with for almost a year?” Quin looked at Stephanie. He could read her expression in a heartbeat. Unless you were involved too.

  “If you think of anything else, let us know. The smallest detail could be the break we need.” Stephanie lifted her mug. “Thanks for the coffee.”

  “You’re welcome. Would you like a refill?”

  “Don’t mind if I do… “ She held out her cup as she answered her cell.

  “How about you?” Nia asked as his partner walked into the living room.

  “I’m good.” He finished the last bite of his muffin as she poured more coffee into her mug.

  “Why wasn’t your partner with you the night of the robbery?” Nia asked as she leant back against the counter. The sunlight coming in from the kitchen window picked up the ginger highlights in her hair.

  “We don’t always work together. She was actually staking out another jewellery store in the area we suspected these guys would target.”

  “Are you talking about Lambert’s?”

  Quin nodded. “They’ve almost reached Fletcher’s in yearly sales.”

  “They won’t beat us.” Nia turned and placed her mug on the counter.

  “And why’s that?”

  “They don’t have me.”

  No, they sure the hell don’t.

  She winked at him and he was disgusted to feel his cock swell in response. He encountered many beautiful women with the cases he worked on, so why was he having such a hard time reining in his libido with this lady? “You obviously love your job.”

  “I do. I’ve always loved jewellery. When someone walks into the store,” she absently twisted the diamond stud in her ear, “I look forward to making their special occasion memorable¼unforgettable.”

  “To sell it, you don’t wear much of the sparkly stuff.” He watched her pick up muffin crumbs with the tip of her finger.

  “Well, a single girl’s gotta take care of needs first and although I love selling the ‘sparkly stuff’, I think too much of it on one person detracts from the beauty of one special piece.” She looked away from him as his partner stepped back into the kitchen.

  “Rios, I’ve got to take off.” She glanced at Nia, her sleek dark bob swinging as she turned. “Don’t hesitate to call either of us if you think of anything else.”

  “Of course,” Nia said moving towards her. “Let me show you out.” She went ahead of them both to open the front door.

  “I’ve got a few more questions for Nia,” Quin said before they reached the door.

  “Just a few?” Stephanie asked in a tone only he would know was sardonic. She shrugged when he didn’t take the bait. “I’ll meet you at Fletcher’s in about an hour?”

  “Yes.” He turned to Nia as she stepped outside. “I’ll be right back.”

  Nia nodded. “Good, because I could really use a lift to Fletcher’s myself.”

  “Your car,” Quin said with a grin.

  Nia pointed her finger at him. “Exactly.”

  Quin waited until she closed the door to catch up with Stephanie. They walked to her car in total silence. “So… “

  The no-nonsense agent shrugged. “So what?” She unlocked her car door.

  “Don’t give me that. Let’s have it, guilty or not guilty? What did Nia Sander’s eyes say?”

  His partner huffed, her breath a white cloud in the frosty air. “She’s not a criminal.”

  Quin smiled. “See, I told you.”

  “Yep, you did.”

  “I’m usually right.”

  “Usually.”

  “Pretty much always.”

  Stephanie rolled her eyes. “Let’s not go that far,” she said with a chuckle. “Her eyes did tell me something else though.”
/>   “Yeah, what’s that?”

  “She’s attracted to you.”

  * * * *

  Nia leaned against the door and cursed. What the hell was she doing flirting with a perfect stranger and a FBI agent no less?

  Will you arrest me if I tell you I did?

  Where had that come from?

  First, the random hug and now shameless flirtation. Something about his dark good looks and reserved manner made her want to break through the red tape around him and evoke a reaction. And she had. She smiled, remembering the sexy smile that had transformed his handsome face. There was more where that came from beneath his cool persona, she was willing to bet on it.

  A knock on the door broke her thoughts. She shivered as she let Quin in with old man winter right behind him. “How could you go out there without your coat?”

  “It’s not that cold.” Quin blew into his hands.

  “Like hell. Are you sure you don’t want more coffee?” Her eyes travelled across his broad shoulders. A navy sweater had never looked so good.

  “I think I will have another cup.”

  “Coming up.” She went into the kitchen, poured the coffee as her heart thumped in her chest.

  He was looking at her family photos on the wall when she returned. “Here you go.” She handed him the mug, her gaze falling to his mouth as he took a sip. “So, you can give me a ride to Fletcher’s? If not, I’ll call a cab.”

  “No need. I’d be happy to take you.”

  His innocent, kind words warmed every part of her. “Thanks.” She averted her eyes from his intense gaze to look at the clock on her bookshelf. “Give me about twenty minutes and I’ll be ready to go. I’m sorry to inconvenience you like this.”

  Quin waved his hand. “No problem. I have to go there anyway and I’m the reason you don’t have your own car. It’s only fair I take you to get it.”

  “Fair enough.” She handed him the remote. “Make yourself comfortable, I won’t be long.”

  It was hard enough to pick out something to wear every single day, let alone with a hot federal agent only a few feet away. In the end she decided on a black skirt with matching tights, high-heeled boots and an emerald green sweater. She pulled her thick hair back into a ponytail pouf, applied a little more eyeliner and lip gloss before dabbing on her fave jasmine vanilla-toned oil to all pulse points.

  “Not bad,” she whispered to her reflection in the full-length mirror on the back of her bedroom door. A quick glance at the clock told her she had taken twenty-five minutes to get ready. That wasn’t so bad.

  “Quin, I’m sorry it too—” She halted mid-sentence upon seeing him asleep on her couch. His large body didn’t look comfortable in the seated position with his head leaning backwards at an odd angle. Nia’s gaze ran over the length of his long frame and a pang of empathy raced through her. He was obviously exhausted and she hated to disturb him.

  She tiptoed closer on the balls of her feet to avoid her heels hitting the wood floor until she was inches away from him. Her eyes fell to the dark shadow of stubble along his jaw line and up to his lips. Full, sexy lips, especially when he smiled. He was so kissable. She wondered if he was a good kisser.

  “Quin?” she whispered as she reached out to touch his shoulder. She screamed when his hand snaked up to grab hers in a vice-like grip lightening fast.

  “Oh, sorry,” he said, releasing her as he stood.

  Nia stared at him as she rubbed her wrist. The man had the reflexes of a panther. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”

  “Looks like I startled you.” Quin ran a hand through his hair. “Ready?”

  She nodded. “Didn’t get much sleep last night?” She reached for her coat and walked to the front door as she put it on.

  “Something like that.” He opened the door and waited for her to lock up.

  The sun shone brightly but offered little warmth as they walked to his car.

  “This baby will be warm in a few minutes,” he said, flipping on the heat before manoeuvring the car out of the tight parking space.

  Nia stole a glance at him as he entered into highway traffic. “How long have you been on this case?”

  “Almost a year. We’ve taken out some minor players, but this kind of criminal operation takes months, sometimes years to shut down.” He flicked her a sidelong glance. “How long have you been in the jewellery business?”

  “For about seven years.” She gestured towards the radio. “Do you mind?”

  “Not all.”

  She turned the stereo on and smiled as the rhythmic sounds of Latin Jazz filled the car. “Gotta love Tito Puente.”

  “I’d have to put you out of the car if you didn’t.”

  Nia laughed. “Well, it’s a damn good thing I’m a fan.” She tapped her hand against her knee as he navigated through multiple lanes of traffic. “I love how music can take my mind off of everything else.”

  “Everything else like what?”

  Nia stopped tapping to the beat of the song. “Oh, let’s see, finding out a close friend is actually involved in fencing jewellery.” She tugged on her seatbelt. “Knowing all of the work waiting for me at Fletcher’s, almost being shot at yesterday evening…”

  And discovering I’m seriously attracted to you.

  “I get it.” Quin turned the music down. “The best advice I can give you is to take all of those things you mentioned at face value and figure out the best way to handle them.”

  “Sage advice, Agent Rios.” Nia stared out the window. If only it were that easy. She would handle her job responsibilities. It was the other stuff that would take some time to work through in her head.

  “Nia, I don’t mean to sound insensitive. I just find stressing over stuff very unproductive.”

  “So you’re never stressed?”

  “I didn’t say that. I said it’s unproductive.” He cursed as the driver in front of him suddenly pumped the brakes. Seconds later he pushed past the clueless driver in another lane. “There’s always a solution.”

  “Like changing lanes,” Nia said with a chuckle.

  “Exactly.”

  “Do you like your job?”

  Quin shrugged. “I can’t see myself doing anything else.”

  She studied him, trying to imagine him in the corporate world. Nope, definitely didn’t fit. “You’re an only child?”

  “I am. Where the hell did that question come from?” he asked, turning his head to look at her as they waited for another green light.

  “You just seem like a loner. Someone used to being alone, maybe more comfortable that way.” She looked away from his intense stare. “Green light.”

  “Red light with the twenty questions,” Quin said as he drove on.

  Nia remained silent, happy to see the store come into view as he pulled into the parking lot. Why had she asked him those personal questions? She’d tried to practically psychoanalyse him on the way into work.

  Because you want to know everything about him.

  She shifted uneasily in her seat and cast a sidelong glance at Quin’s profile when the more disturbing need to feel his arms around her again shocked her. “Ridiculous,” she whispered.

  “Excuse me?” Quin asked as he parked the car.

  His eyes were hard again like when he had warned her not to go over and talk to the jewellery thieves last night.

  “No, I was talking to myself, about myself.” Heat filled her cheeks as he stared at her. “Thanks for the lift.” Her heart fluttered under his intense scrutiny. Hardened criminals surely cracked under the laser sharp gaze she was being subjected to.

  “No need to thank me, Nia.” He turned off the car just as his cell rang.

  Nia used the interruption to escape. She opened the car door, stepped out as fast as she could in her heeled black boots and hurried into the store.

  The store was abuzz with activity and she pushed Quin out of her mind, wishing she were unaware of him entering the store, as her boss greeted her. She forced herself
to focus as she discussed the ongoing investigation with Donovan and a plan of action for cleaning up the store. Donovan was talking about possible new security firms when her gaze locked with Quin’s for a moment across the showroom floor. Her heart raced as she sucked in a breath and turned away.

  What was it about him that made her weak in the knees?

  “Nia…are you all right?”

  “Of course, I’m sorry.”

  “It’s quite all right. I think we’re all a little shaken up after last night.”

  Nia nodded, grateful to see a few other employees coming in. She delegated tasks before beginning inspection on the remaining diamond pieces in the store which was the only way to be sure Tess hadn’t stolen or swapped other jewellery for fakes.

  If…she was indeed involved, she reminded herself.

  She was three quarters of the way through the diamond bracelets when her stomach started to growl.

  “I may have been a little abrupt with you in the car.”

  Nia lifted her head from the tray of jewellery to meet Quin’s eyes. “No problem. I’m sorry too.”

  Quin lifted one eyebrow. “Sorry?”

  “I offended you with what I said and my questions.” Her gaze fell to his large hands on top of the glass. He had long fingers, neatly trimmed nails…she always appreciated a man who took care of his hands.

  “I wasn’t offended.”

  “Really?” She squeezed the peridot and diamond bracelet in her hand as his eyes dipped to her green sweater.

  “Really. I’m about to leave now, but I just wanted to make sure you didn’t think I was¼“

  “Offended,” Nia finished with a smile.

  “Exactly.”

  The corners of his mouth almost gave up the fight and returned her grin. Nia was disappointed to see the moment pass. She loved his smile. “Would you like to have dinner with me?” Had she really just uttered those words? The hard edges of the bracelet cut into the palm of her hand as Quin stared at her. “You know…a thank-you-for-saving-my-life dinner.”

  This time he did smile. “There’s really no need—”

  “Oh, okay, right.” She stood up and wished she hadn’t as the sinking feeling in her stomach tripled. He had to see her blushing.