Read Between Darkness and Daylight for Free Online Page B

just smiled.
    "So, we need to talk about reimbursement," he opened.
    "I'm easy, and I want to handle this in the most equitable way possible."
    "I'm curious…"
    She arched an eyebrow and Zane paused, drawn in by the hypnotic beauty of her fudge-brown eyes. He almost had to shake himself physically back on track.
    "Why aren't you pressing charges? Not that I'm not glad."
    "And I'm sure Pretty Boy Dillinger here is, too."
    "Depends on what you have in mind," Ransom grumbled.
    "Why, you ungrateful little…” Zane started to rise from his seat and Nova put a hand on his arm to stop him. She seemed to like touching, especially when she talked—a firm handshake here, a hand on his shoulder there—just maintaining some sort of physical contact.

    Between Darkness and Daylight
    35
    Rather than calming him down, her touch did the opposite, had his dick rock-hard in his pants, painfully pressing against the zipper and wanting out. Maybe getting up to pulverize his nephew wasn't such a good idea just now. Not that he would ever hurt the kid.
    He unconsciously pulled away, sliding his arm from her grip as he reached for his ever-present pack of gum. He popped a fresh stick in his mouth and offered the pack to Nova and Ran, who both refused.
    "You used to smoke."
    Zane scowled. "Is it that obvious?"
    She seemed taken aback by his question, had to think for a minute.
    "Um, no, you just…it's the gum. You chew it with a purpose."
    "First time I've heard it put quite that way." Zane chuckled, relaxed some. For a minute there, he could have sworn she’d been crawling around in his gray matter.
    "So gentleman, let's get down to brass tacks."
    "You want me to apologize. Well, I'm sorry." Ransom didn't raise his eyes.
    Zane noticed the kid didn’t raise his eyes once during his little attitude-ridden response.
    Nova handled this a thousand times better and more calmly than he ever could have, simply reached across the table and put a finger under the boy’s chin, urging up his head before Zane could step in and reprimand him. Ransom glared at her and she smiled back.
    Zane gasped as if gut-punched. God, she had the most amazing dimples!
    "How about this time with a little more feeling, like you mean it."
    "I…" Ransom tried to avert his gaze again, but Nova cupped his chin firmly, so that he couldn't lower his face. "I really didn't mean to hurt you.
    I just…it was a stupid initiation stunt. I'm sorry you got caught in the middle of it."
    Zane saw the boy wince at the tiny bruise under Nova's left eye.
    "Does it hurt?" Ran asked.
    "I'll survive."
    Of this Zane had no doubt. But would he? "So, uh…"
    "The cellular, accessories, and the Palm run around eight-hundred bucks."

    36
    Gracie C. McKeever
    Ransom gaped. "Sheesh."
    Sheesh was right, Zane thought. But what else had he expected? The woman looked like she was wearing more than a thousand dollars' worth of clothes, not to mention the tasteful and subtle gold jewelry. Nothing extravagant, but he knew it all cost a pretty penny. He remembered the expensive designer-label fashion from the high-class society matrons who patronized White Columns and other art galleries around New York, where Sinny had had several exhibits during their marriage.
    Obviously, Ms. Foxx liked the best and wasn't shy about spending for it.
    Why was he being such an elitist snob, so preoccupied with her money, or his lack thereof? Why did he care?
    "Ran, you realize you're going to pay this off—either out of your allowance, or through labor." Zane glanced at Nova, prompting.
    "Whatever you have in mind, he's at your disposal."
    "Actually, I just moved into a new house. I've got a couple of rooms that could use a nice paint job and I'm sure I can find something else on the property for him to do."
    Ransom pouted, slouched in his seat, and folded his arms over his chest. "Talk about me like I'm not even here, why don't you."
    "I know by now you're wishing you weren't." Nova chuckled.
    "Just let me know when