Ensenada Escapade: Destination: Desire, Book 6 by Crystal Jordan Page B

Chemistry, yes, but also the potential for so much more. Relationship more. No woman had ever gotten under his skin the way she had, and he’d tried damn hard to find one who did.
    And, if he couldn’t have more, maybe he’d finally be able to put this jones he had for her behind him. Unlikely, considering last night had only increased his craving for her. There was fantasy and then there was knowing that reality was even better.
    “What do you think, Ben?” Hazel asked before she shoved a huge bite of huevos rancheros into her mouth.
    He smiled. “Sorry, I wasn’t paying attention.”
    Jeremy crowed with delight. “See, it’s not just me who spaces out from time to time!”
    Great. Now he was in Tweedle Dumber’s category. The morning was off to a thrilling start.
    Thankfully, Nora didn’t take the golden opportunity to mock him. “Little sis was asking what you thought about the Mexican legal system. How is grand theft auto dealt with here?”
    “I’m afraid I’m not sure. The law can be different from state to state, let alone from country to country. I passed the California bar exam.”
    Priya leaned forward. “No international law classes, then?”
    “It wasn’t where I specialized.” He shook his head. “I took a course on politics and law in the European Union when I studied abroad as an undergrad, but nothing about Mexico, I’m afraid.”
    “It doesn’t matter how they deal with auto theft here,” Chuck stated. “They’re never going to find out who stole the car in order to prosecute. Kiss your ride goodbye forever, Jerry-boy.”
    Privately, Ben agreed with him, but he kept his thoughts to himself because Jeremy immediately launched into an argument about how his very distinct purple Jetta could definitely be recovered. And he wanted the perpetrator thrown in jail.
    After a few minutes of listening to the tantrum, Ben decided he’d had enough and broke in, “What did the police say?”
    Jeremy went silent. Priya finally replied, “They said to come back today and they’d have someone who could translate. At least, I think that’s what they wanted. I don’t really speak the language.”
    “My Spanish education ended in high school.” Hazel shrugged helplessly.
    “Okay, let’s go.” Ben signaled the waiter to bring the tab.
    “I can cover you. I have pesos,” Hazel said. “I’m guessing you guys didn’t have time to exchange currency.”
    He raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure? My credit card has no international transaction fees.”
    “Breakfast is the least I can do,” she insisted.
    He lifted his hands in surrender. “Far be it for me to argue with a Kirby.”
    Nora huffed out a small laugh and elbowed him in the ribs. He reached over and tugged on a lock of her hair. It took every ounce of willpower he had not to brush a kiss over her lips. He was pretty sure she wouldn’t be interested in public displays of affection, especially not in front of her sister. As far as he knew, she didn’t even want another private display of affection.
    And wasn’t that a crying shame?
    Instead, he smiled at her. “Hey, I can turn over a new leaf.”
    Some emotion flashed across her face, too fast for him to discern what it was. Then she set her napkin on the table and reached for her purse. “Okay, we should figure out our game plan and get going.”
    Well, there was a dismissal if he’d ever received one. He sighed. It was going to be a long trip home. His phone vibrated in his pocket and he fished it out to see who was calling. His mother. Damn—he hadn’t even gotten a full twenty-four hour reprieve.
    Rising, he moved toward a quiet corner. “I need to get this. Don’t hurry finishing your meal. After my call, we’ll do the police station, then hit the road.” He tapped the button to answer. “Hi, Mom. Yeah, I’m good. We made it just fine.”
    He’d update her, but he’d have to edit out the X-rated content of their adventures. For both their sakes.
    Then he got to deal