The Sex On Beach Book Club by Jennifer Apodaca

in, like, twenty minutes. But I’m not dressed up for a job interview or anything.”
    She folded herself into the passenger seat and pulled the door closed. “It’s not a job interview. I thought we could talk about your qualifications and what kind of job you’re looking for. I’ll see if I can help you find a job. But I need a favor, too.”
    There was a few seconds of silence. “What?”
    â€œWe’ll talk about that at the office. See you then.” She hung up, stuck her cell back in her purse, and finally realized where she was—in the passenger seat of her own car. Turning to Wes, she said, “Switch places with me, I’m driving.”
    He flashed a grin at her and started the car. “Too late, you gave me the keys. What did Helene say?”
    She debated kicking his butt right out of her car, but decided it wasn’t worth the effort at the moment. She yanked the seat belt over her chest and said, “Helene refuses to get involved in the investigation into Cullen’s murder, and she’s dropping her membership in your fan club. Drive back to my place so you can pick up your car and be on your way.”
    Wes put the car into drive and pulled away from the curb. “You’re slick, Hill baby . Luring Tanya with a job to cross-examine her.”
    Clenching her jaw, she took a breath. “Do. Not. Call. Me. That.”
    He looked over at her. And smiled. Big, huge, bare-assed grin.
    â€œStop that.” He was worse than her brothers. “And get off your moral high horse, Brockman. I do what it takes to get the job done.”
    â€œWhich is why I hired you,” he said mildly.
    She studied his profile. Who was he? Where did his money come from? A bookstore did not usually generate the kind of income that allowed for a nice beach house, and the ability to double a private investigator’s salary at will. What did he really think about her, and her methods?
    And why did she care what he thought? Annoyed at herself, she said, “I want you to call me the second you hear from your two clerks. We need to find out if one of them gave Cullen, or maybe even the killer, the key to your bookstore.” Turning to watch the road, she realized where they were. “You’re almost to my office. I told you to go back to my house.”
    Wes did that wide grin again. “I know you’re after my body, but we have to work first.” He turned onto Hollister. “What did you think of Helene?”
    He was an amusing guy with a very hot body. She had no problem admitting she wanted to get naked with him, to herself anyway. Turning her mind to business, she answered, “She seems strong-willed, determined, and focused as a business-woman. She didn’t let me intimidate her. And she amuses herself with her wit. She did tell me she was with friends and had an alibi for Cullen’s murder.” She knew Wes would enjoy the next part more than she had. “But she told me I could use my investigative skills to find out the details.”
    â€œDid she slam the door?” He glanced over at her with a half grin, then turned into the parking lot. He found a space close to her office.
    â€œNo. Which is a good thing since I was standing in the doorway. But she did start shutting it to force me to move.” Holly got out of the car, took the keys from Wes after he locked her car, then strode up to her office door.
    â€œSo I guess she didn’t confess to murder, huh?”
    Unlocking the door, she went in and held the door for Wes. Recognizing frustrated sarcasm for what it was, she touched his arm. “We’re just getting started, Wes. It takes time to develop and follow the clues.”
    He nodded.
    She dropped her hand from his arm and flipped on the lights. Then she went into the small kitchen and started making coffee.
    Wes followed her. “What does AP stand for? Your brothers kept calling you that last