Read Wicked Beginning: An Ivy Morgan Mystery Books 1-3 for Free Online

that.”
    “He’s a handsome man,” Ivy said, giving in marginally. “There’s something appealing about his face.”
    “You can admit you think he’s hot,” Max said. “You don’t always have to be so prim and proper.”
    “Fine,” Ivy said, rolling her eyes. “He’s hot. He’s got this strong, square jaw. His hair is a little long and it’s dark. His eyes are really expressive. Oh, and his body looks like he works out even more than you do.”
    Max scowled. “That’s great.”
    Ivy giggled. “He also seems a little … closed off,” she said. “I don’t think he’s looking for anyone. I think you’re going to be able to keep your harem all to yourself this summer.”
    “Are you disappointed he’s not looking for someone?”
    “Of course not,” Ivy scoffed. “I’m not looking for someone. I don’t care if he is hot. I’m not really in the mood to … date.”
    “I think you’re making that up,” Max said. “I think you do want to date someone, but you’re so used to people treating you … differently … that you’ve trained yourself to expect the worst when it comes to men. You don’t know this guy is going to be like the other losers you’ve dated. It might not hurt to give him a chance.”
    “I don’t want to give him a chance, Max,” Ivy said. “I don’t need a man to complete me. I’m happy with who I am.”
    “Fine,” Max said, rolling his eyes. “I totally believe you. You’re not attracted to the new cop. You don’t need a man. You’re perfectly happy with who you are.”
    “Thank you,” Ivy said, jumping from the stump and hitting the ground solidly. “It’s about time you actually listened to the words coming out of my mouth instead of the ones you think you hear.”
    “I’m ashamed of my actions,” Max said.
    “Let’s go for our walk.”
    Max followed her silently. Once he was sure she was lost in her own head he grabbed her around the waist and lifted her up, twirling her around so she had no way to fight against his impressive muscle mass. “Now tell me how you really feel,” he said. “Tell me how hot you think he is.”
    “I’m going to kill you,” Ivy shrieked, but she couldn’t stop herself from laughing. Max was like a dog with a bone sometimes, and this was one bone he had no intention of relinquishing – at least not any time soon.
     
    JACK’S heart rolled painfully as he watched Ivy and her boyfriend cavort. While she’d graced him with a few soft smiles earlier in the day, she’d never let her face brighten that way when he was around. Of course, since they were talking about a dead body at the time, that wasn’t particularly surprising.
    Still … seeing her with another man was enough to quell the irrational thoughts he’d been harboring for hours. She was involved. She was clearly happy. That made things so much easier in his mind.
    The small voice in the back of Jack’s head wouldn’t stop knocking on the mental door he didn’t want to open. If things were easier because she was involved, why did he feel so disappointed?

Five
    “What are you doing?” Brian asked the next morning, surprised to find Jack already at his desk before he even got himself a mug of coffee.
    “It’s called work,” Jack said, not glancing up from his computer screen. “You should try it some time.”
    Brian rolled his eyes. “I’m guessing you’re not much of a morning person,” he said. “That has to be the reason you’re taking your grumpy mood out on me. That’s it, right?”
    Jack sucked in a breath, steadying himself. “I’m sorry. You’re right. That was uncalled for. I’m just … concentrating.”
    “I can see that,” Brian said, shuffling behind Jack’s desk. “What are you concentrating on?”
    “I’m trying to find a match for these symbols.” Jack gestured at the photographs of the dead girl. “I’m not having a lot of luck. Have we been able to identify her yet?”
    Brian shook his head. “She’s not a local