Page 5 of Loving a Billionaire

“I don’t know,” he mumbled, sleepily.

“Did you like her?” she probed.

“Oh, she was nice enough, I guess. But more often than not, she nagged me. I just don’t have tolerance for women like that,” he said in softer tones.

Talia gritted her teeth. That wasn’t telling her anything. Not really. She really wanted to know if he was involved with Kalama right before she died. In Kalama’s small bungalow where she’d called home near the beach, Talia had noticed the woman owned several pieces of expensive jewelry, and she owned three closets full of fancy clothes. Yet, the girl had only worked part-time as a secretary at one of the resorts. Talia and Kurt suspected Kalama was some rich man’s mistress.

Talia blinked with wide eyes as the puzzle pieces began fitting together. What were the odds she’d found Kalama’s killer already? After all, Mr. Reeder was a rich man. He’d dated Kalama before she died. Talia wondered if this Ariki guy had something to do with the murder, too. Was it some kind of love-triangle?

She dared not ask, but it was her duty as a detective to find out the truth. Part of her didn’t want to think a handsome, sweet-talking man like Mr. Reeder could be a cold-blooded killer. There was only one way to find out, and she must be blunt about it.

“Austin? Were... um, were you and Kalama involved with each other?”

THREE

Austin Reeder was thoroughlyexhausted since he hadn’t rested for forty-eight hours, and he should have told Talia to come back another day. But after feeling her healing fingers massaging his neck, he realized he’d made the right decision to keep her here. Her touch awakened more than just the stiff muscles of his neck. Now, he couldn’t wait to get to know her a little better. His friend had done well in finding this woman for Austin.

Her question, however, made him chuckle. He took hold of Talia’s soft hand and pulled it around his neck and to his mouth. He pressed a kiss on her wrist. She was confusing him, which wasn’t too hard to do because he was extremely tired today. But what was her game? Why had she acted so innocent? And especially, why was she asking such personal questions? Most of the girls that Ariki had set up with Austin knew not to ask about his life. There were just some things that people didn’t need to know, especially women who were just one-night-stands, or possiblytwo-nights.

Maybe he should send Talia home after all. Ariki’s so-called birthday surprise wasn’t appreciated right now. Not when Austin couldn’t make this meeting useful because he was a walking zombie. He’d told Ariki not to send him anyone for his birthday, but his friend had never listened before, so why should he start now? Ariki also enjoyed clowning around. Was this one of his friend’s jokes?

“You have such wonderful hands, Talia.”

“Mahalo,” she thanked him in a tight voice, using her homeland’s language, as she pulled her hand away.

Right now in his exhausted state, he wanted her hands back on his neck so he could feel the warmth flowing through his body from her tender touch. But apparently, she wanted to talk. Strange, since most of the girls Ariki found for him rarely wanted to talk.

Sighing, he relaxed back in the chair. Thankfully, she returned to massaging his neck. “You think Kalama and I were involved with each other? Do you mean like lovers?” He laughed weakly. “How could we be lovers if there was no love between us?”

“Really? Did you have any feelings for her?”

“Nothing more than just friends.” He paused as his mind clouded with doubts. “Talia, why are you asking these questions? What does it have to do with your time with me?”

Her fingers froze, as did the hot breath blowing against his neck. Suddenly, she stepped back.

“I guess it’s time for me to go,” she whispered.