Wishing he had a pair of cargo pants, Gage dragged on his suit trousers, headed into the bathroom, then wandered back down the hall to the kitchen. Searching the cupboard, he found a bag of coffee above the drip coffee maker and brewed a pot.

He almost groaned at the rich dark flavor. The first sip was always the best, clearing his head and preparing him for the day ahead.

He started back into the living room as the bedroom door swung open and Abby walked out. She was wearing a knee-length fluffy yellow robe, her glorious hair unbound, more red than gold, though when she stepped into the light, he was reminded of the ingot in the antique wooden box.

At the sight of him, Abby froze, her pretty amber eyes running over his bare chest. He couldn’t miss the interest there, and arousal slid through him, soon to become obvious. Turning, he rounded the sofa, grabbed his wrinkled white shirt off the love seat, shrugged into it, and rolled up the cuffs.

“Coffee’s on,” he said mildly, trying to bring himself under control, cursing King Farrell and the gold discovery that made it impossible to turn down Abby’s proposal.

Or her demand to accompany him. Having a woman along, no matter how competent, had a way of making things tougher. If that woman happened to be beautiful and desirable, it could be a recipe for disaster.

Gage knew that firsthand.

He managed to blot out Cassandra’s image before it surfaced, and focused on the woman in front of him. Abby lifted her copper hair over her shoulders, letting it ripple down her back, making him want to grab a fistful and drag her mouth up to his.

“You’re up early,” she said, continuing into the kitchen. “I hope you slept all right.”

“No problem.”

She glanced approvingly at the pot of freshly brewed coffee on the counter. “I just need a cup. Then I’ll shower and get dressed, and you can take me to get my car.”

He just nodded, trying not to imagine Abby naked beneath a spray of warm water. He had rarely felt such a strong attraction to a woman he barely knew, but aside from her intelligence and feminine appeal, her zest for life was contagious, stirring an excitement he hadn’t felt in years.

Gage found himself looking forward to the journey they would be taking together, even if it would be impossible for him to act on his growing desire. He was a professional, first, last, and always. Nothing was going to change that.

“Unless you have an objection, I’ll call my attorney,” he said. “Ask him to do the paperwork so we can get this project underway.”

Abby smiled so brightly, he felt a contraction in his chest.

“That would be great,” she said.

“I assume you have photos of the gold.”

She nodded. “From every angle. I have everything photographically documented.”