Page 11 of Brazilian Surrender
Never.He swallowed hard. “I like to focus on facts, not possibilities.” Or in this case, impossibilities.
“So, if you met me randomly at a bar or a bookstore, you wouldn’t find me attractive,” she said, her gorgeous chestnut eyes flickering with challenge.
He clicked the pen relentlessly. Where was she going with this conversation? “That’s not what I said.”
Her smile broadened with triumph and she clapped her hands. “Then it could happen.” Something about her tone hinted she teased rather than flirted.
“Not in this lifetime. I’m working for you, and I have some baggage. Besides, I would be just one more failed attempt at your search for love,” he said with a steady tone.
She lifted her chin. “How do you know love is the only thing I’m searching for? Because I’m young and optimistic, and good girls don’t deserve sweaty, dirty sex?”
Dirty sex. Good grief. His pulse skittered. “Because love and a stand-up guy is what you deserve,” he said softly.
She gave him a once-over, her eyes smiling at him. “So besides being the international man of mystery, you’re also an amateur therapist?”
He snorted. “International man of mystery?”
“Yeah. Why not? A taciturn guy like you could use a cute nickname to balance things out.”
“I hate nicknames. Always have.” That’s why he’d named his son Trevor and argued with whoever wanted to call him Trev. His parents had named him Jaeger because of his German ancestry, and every time he read his name with the right spelling he remembered where he’d come from. He’d always abhorred people calling him Jay.
“Besides, I’m no James Bond.”
“I was thinking more along the lines of Austin Powers.”
He suppressed a chuckle. “A real boost to my confidence. Thanks.”
He put his pen on the coffee table and surged to his feet, pacing around his living room. Hmm. How to bring this up? “By the way…I asked the lab to expedite Torto’s results and we should get them soon, but the vet clinic said we can bury or cremate him. I thought I’d ask your preference.”
She opened her mouth, then hesitated, and shifted in the sofa. Her expression grew serious, and the playfulness vanished from her voice. “He was such a wild dog when my brother found him. I don’t see him trapped six feet under. I’d rather cremate him.”
He nodded. “Is tomorrow okay for you?”
“Yes. I work in the afternoon, but I’m free in the morning.”
“I’ll make the necessary arrangements,” he said. He could ask Therese to set things up for him, but he wanted to be involved. “Is there anyone you want to bring with you?” he asked, wondering if she’d ask Lee or someone else to join her, since her roommate Zoe was still conveniently out of town.
She chewed on her lower lip. “Can…you come? I know I’m asking a lot from you. Not just to wait for me outside, but—”
“Yes,” he answered a little bit too quickly for his taste.
She smiled. “Thank you.”
“You don’t have to thank me.” I’m getting paid, he thought, even though he hadn’t brought himself to cash the fat check she’d handed Therese. His secretary usually took care of such things, but he’d kept the check in his top drawer at work next to his stress ball, somehow unable to bring it to the bank.
…
“You can wait here until it’s done,” said the helpful lady dressed in gray. She spoke in a soft voice and showed them into a waiting room with no windows. Several candles flickered on the coffee table, and a couple of large seats completed the somber tone of the pet funeral home in Queens. Soothing music played from the speakers. Not too loud, not too low.
Camila had used up all the tissues she’d brought already. They had taken Torto’s body and told her the process would take about an hour. She decided to stay in the waiting room while they cremated him, but the ashes wouldn’t be ready in the urn she’d chosen for a couple of days. Jaeger offered her some water.
“Thanks.” She gulped it down, the cold liquid offering temporary relief to her throbbing throat. God, she was a mess.
Her body fell into a state of super awareness, her heart drumming harder and faster each passing second. She’d been somewhat prepared when she’d lost her parents. They’d both had been sick, and despite her painful good-byes, she knew they had finally rested. Losing Torto felt different. Someone had planned to kill him. Just because. She took a long, deep breath, contracting her stomach until it hurt.
“You’re welcome. Listen, I hate to do this to you, but when you go to the hospital today I’ll go in with you,” he said, jamming his hand in his pocket.
She exhaled slowly, her shoulders sagging with relief. Every time Jaeger changed the subject and they talked about her stalker, a tiny amount of hope spread through her body. Focusing on that also helped her take her mind off Torto. “Why?”
