Stepping in, he took Nia’s hands back and proclaimed, “Nope, done dusted off my tux. We’ll be here.”
“Fabulous.” Nodding at Garrett, he then turned to Nia again. “I trust you’ll save a dance for me then?”
Batting her eyelashes and kicking her pride square in the gut while it was down, she tossed her hand to her chest in feigned flattery. “I’d be honored.”
“Well, I’ll bid you good day then. Most of the castle is at your disposal. The buffet will be restocked until early afternoon, so eat whenever you’d like. Dinner will be served at seven sharp.” Turning, he disappeared back into the courtyard.
After double-checking the room for any other visitors, Nia whispered, “Well, if we go by what Gentry just said, we know who had the machine built and why. All we have to figure out is where the damn thing is.”
Garrett pressed a finger to his lips and led her to the other end of the room. “Sugar lips, I can’t wait to spin you around this dance floor.” He swept her into his arms, two stepping her toward a recessed doorway where two armed guards stood. When they came upon them, Garrett leaned in and nibbled Nia’s neck whispering, “Take a picture and send it to the guys.”
Giggling, Nia fell back into character, making eye contact with them as she wound her arms around Garrett’s neck and snapped off a couple of pictures with her watch. “Oh dear, I apologize for my husband’s indiscretion. We thought we was alone.”
Spinning her into a waltz, he nodded toward the men in acknowledgement. “Gentlemen.” He then danced her into the next room. Nuzzling her neck again, Garrett whispered, “Ask and ye shall receive.”
Lost in the feeling of his warm breath and moist lips on her neck, she allowed herself to wallow in the seductive, velvety texture while her pride was still busy pouting. Obviously she’d allowed herself too long of a stay in her own little world as Garrett nipped at her ear, dragging her brain back to real life.
“Ouch!” Nia rubbed her ear, glaring at him.
“Well, I was talking to you.”
“And I was ignoring you,” she said, hoping to cover for her actions. Pressing the earwig in her ear, she muttered, “Did you guys get the pictures of the guarded door?”
“Affirmative, we’re sending them on to headquarters. We’ll let you know when they want you to act.”
Looking anywhere but at him in an attempt to keep her lying eyes hidden, Nia soaked in the surroundings of the den-like room they’d danced into. Dark leather furniture and accent tables filled the room. All things manly crowded the walls, including various animal heads that peered down from their heavy wooden mounts, adding to the guy ambiance.
Spying a pair of crossed fencing swords displayed over a desk, Nia’s eyes widened. She couldn’t help pulling them off the wall, holding one out toward him. “Ready to get your ass kicked again?”
Garrett raised a brow. “No one’s ass got kicked that day.”
“Oh, I get it. The last thing I’d want to do is embarrass you.” She tried to keep a straight face. A renegade, cynical smile crept across her lips.
“Hey, I was only trying to save you from the embarrassment. If you don’t care, I don’t care.” He held out his hand, and she tossed the light sword to him handle first. Plucking at the guarded tip, he added, “Since there will likely be no blood shed as a prize, I say we duel for something.”
“And what would you have in mind?” This time her brow rose.
“Perhaps a friendly wager?”
“Perhaps.” Scanning him from head to toe, she tried to size up his motives. “Winner gets to make the loser do something, like, I don’t know, stop smacking my ass and calling me sugar lips?” Nia placed her free hand on her hip and aimed her sword at him.
“You’ll have to pick one or the other, my dear, because those are two separate things. All this time I thought you liked that, too. Huh?” His face scrunched in sullen disappointment for a brief moment before his smile returned. “And if I win, you have to do something I ask,” Garrett answered, his head bobbing in agreement.
“Hmm, what might that be?”
“I’ll decide that after I win.” Lunging toward her, sword at the ready, he announced, “En garde!”
Their blades clashed over and again, each fighting to best the other. Nia was very impressed with his prowess behind a sword, though she’d be hard pressed to admit it to him. Finding herself backed into a corner, she squatted and jumped backward to the desktop, praying it was as sturdy as it looked.
Garrett, his eyes wide, stepped back with a hand out in front of him. “Someone’s done this before.”
Narrowing her gaze, she pointed her sword at him and uttered in her worst Spanish accent, “My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father, prepare to die.”
Laughter filled the room.
“So, you know the film?” Nia placed her free hand on her hip.
“None other than the Princess Bride.”
As she hopped from the desk, to the sofa then to the floor, she looked down her sword at Garrett. “I’m impressed.”
“With my fencing skills?”
Thrusting at him, she was immediately blocked. “With your knowledge of chick flicks.”
Waggling his brow, he chided as he fought, “I’m familiar with many things chick related.”
Nia held a hand up, stopping the swordplay, and rolled her eyes. “You know what I mean.”
“Fine,” he conceded, arms splayed wide, “I’ve sat through that particular movie on more than one occasion. In my own defense, it was with a different woman each time.”
Nodding, Nia added, “Of course. You wouldn’t want one of them thinking you actually liked the movie or anything, would you?”
An impish grin graced his face. “Something like that.”
She shoved her blade forth. “So, you’re a lover, not a fighter then?”
Matching her strokes, he shrugged his shoulders. “Can’t I be both?” Winking, he blew her a kiss. Catching her off guard, he landed the tip of his blade on her chest.
Nia looked down at the gold, rounded nub pressed directly between her breasts. “Cheater.”
“I believe that diversions are acceptable in any kind of fight. Sort of the nature of the beast there, sugar lips.” Snapping his sword vertically in front of him, he then sliced it through the air at his side to end the battle.
“Okay, I guess I can’t call you puddin’ anymore then, huh?” Meeting him at the wall, she reached up and replaced her blade over his. She turned to find him standing right behind her, pinning her firmly against the stone surface.
“I had considered having you call me stud-muffin or something manlier. Suddenly I have other ideas.” His chin dropped and he winked at her.
Her breath caught in her chest as he lowered his face toward hers. She swallowed hard, her brain fighting for control, screaming at her about how big of a mistake this could be. Other parts of her anatomy were now vying for power, gaining critical ground. Heat flushed her face and pulsed through her body.
The mint of his breath wafted with his words, “Just one kiss.” His head tilted; she could feel the warmth of his lips on hers.
“Pardon the intrusion.” Mr. Gentry’s voice cut through the moment like fingernails down a chalkboard, affording Nia the opportunity to save her from herself.
Garrett stood tall, turning toward the man, scooping an arm around Nia’s waist. “Not at all, sir. We were…”
Mr. Gentry cleared his throat. “No need to explain. I wanted to invite you on a shopping trip in London with some of the others.”
Nia looked heavenward and smiled before she met Mr. Gentry’s gaze again. “We’d love to go.”
An escape from one of the biggest career mistakes she could make and an opportunity to buy some decent clothing with someone else’s money. Could the day get any better?
Chapter Nine
The six-hour time difference caught up with Garrett. He took a deep breath, stifling a yawn. Shopping for five solid hours, playin
g the doting husband role, might’ve also contributed to his lethargy. He smiled at the older couple sitting across from them in the limo then looked down onto the angelic face of Nia. She was sound asleep in the crook of his arm; little purring noises escaped her parted, perfectly shaped lips. An odd sense of calm surrounded him as he brushed her fake bangs from her eyes. He fought back a basic instinct to kiss her forehead. Looking back at the people across from him, decided it would play into character. His lips pressed against her satiny skin, the simple act waking another of his basic instincts. He felt a swelling in his pants and started quoting algebraic equations, but once the memories of his old partner flooded his mind, he had no need for mathematics.
Two years ago he’d let his feelings for his partner get in his way; it cost her life. It was a rookie mistake to end all mistakes. Wanting to take care of her had made him think like a boyfriend, not an agency partner. Someone in the CIA fed him bad information that led him on a wild goose chase to separate him from Tara, to find someone he thought was hunting for her. When he returned, she was lying in a pool of her own crimson blood, a single gunshot wound to the chest, along with two gashes on her neck: puncture wounds, bite marks. The sight of her beautiful blonde hair stained red, her gaping mouth and blank, hazy stare still haunted his dreams. If he had stuck to protocol, stayed with her, she might still be alive. The part of the incident that led him to Levinson, and his current position, was what happened afterward. When he sent the agency back in for her body, no one could find any sign that she had ever been there. Even forensics couldn’t find blood evidence. Something told him she’d been taken into the vampire clan underground. If they had wanted her dead, they would have left her with a gaping hole in her gut without a heart. Instead, she’d simply disappeared. He’d momentarily considered entering the underground himself, but knew it was dangerous for anyone, even more so for him with his prior connection. The Agency was his only solution. He’d vowed to find his way into their midst with CIA protection.
With feelings of failure swimming in his brain, basic animal urges surfaced. He looked over Nia’s sleeping form again, this time thinking solely with the head that knew nothing about mathematics. He watched her beautifully shaped breasts rise and fall as she slept. He positioned his jacket to conceal his swelling interest. She was a beautiful woman. Perhaps he only needed to screw the hell out of her to purge her from his system then he could concentrate on the job at hand. Maybe that was the issue with his last partner. He’d just given his mind free reign when an agent’s voice came over their earwigs. Nia popped to a sitting position and stretched.
The agent muttered, “Can you talk? If not, clear your throat.”
Nia’s hand went to her ear while she continued stretching. She coughed, capturing Garrett’s gaze with hers.
“Okay,” the nameless voice continued, “Just listen then. I have word from Levinson that Agent Brooks is to disarm the locks and cause a diversion with the guards at the party tomorrow night while Agent Van Deren gets through the door. If you have questions or need further details, contact us later.” A slight beep ended the conversation. Nia crossed her eyes, staring at Garrett. Undoubtedly tired of being the diversion, she’d let him know her true feelings the first possible moment.
The other couple laughed. Garrett turned his attention toward them. They were shaking their heads.
The impeccably dressed, gray haired gentleman finally spoke. “We’ve been trying to get your attention for the past few moments. You two were so wrapped up in each other’s eyes we couldn’t tear you away. Are you sure you aren’t newlyweds?”
Garrett reached over and pinched Nia’s cheek entirely too hard, taking out some of his bottled up sexual aggression. He wiggled her head back and forth just because he could. “My little sugar lips keeps everything brand new.”
Nia gritted out a smile, but her eyes shot flames of anger at him. “My puddin’ is too modest.” The fingernails of her hand behind his back dug into his flesh, causing him to wince. He was able to turn it into a wink. “He’s the one who keeps throwin’ the spark back into things.”
The woman across from them slid her furred coat sleeve back to glance at her gaudy watch. “Oh, good, we’re back in time to clean up and dress for dinner.”
Garrett looked out the window as they entered the courtyard. Their limo was bringing up the rear. Servants were already buzzing about, unloading bags when they pulled to a stop. He waved them away when they opened the car door and grabbed their bags, helping Nia out of the vehicle, too.
Whispering in his ear, Nia said, “Someday we are bound to infiltrate an organization with a lecherous gay man at the helm. Your promiscuous day is coming, my man.”
Garrett helped the older woman from the car and watched them enter the castle. He turned back to Nia, confusion knitting his brow. “So it can’t be a beautiful woman? Or even a nasty woman? It has to be a gay man?”
“Admit it. As long as she has boobs, you’d be all about it.”
Garrett paused a moment to ponder her words. “You may have a valid point.”
He pulled her to his side, weighing his options from earlier. Of course, his nether regions were on board for sexing her legs off. He still had that nagging voice in the dark recesses of his mind reminding him he’d have to work with her the next day. There was always the chance that she’d be up for a sex-buddies type of relationship, though. The same nagging voice of reason broke into a fit of laughter, pissing him off.
Unlocking the door, he shoved it open, slammed it into the wall then carried the bags to their bed.
Nia walked on tip toes through the doorway. “What’s up your ass?”
Whipping around to face her, he wanted to scream, tell her why he wanted a man for a partner: there would be no sexual distractions, no touchy-feely, just work! Instead he uttered a single word through clenched teeth, “Nothing.”
Waving a hand around in his face, she chided, “This doesn’t look like ‘nothing’ to me. This is you being pissy about something and acting like you’re two years old. You looked like you were having fun earlier. What changed?”
Something inside him snapped. He blurted, “That was my job, Brooks. I’m on assignment, as are you. You’d best remember that.” Storming toward the bathroom, he grabbed the garment bag with his new clothes in it and slammed the door behind him. Changing into the dark blue, double-breasted suit Nia had picked out for him while shopping, his nerves calmed, his head cleared. He knotted the red paisley tie, staring at his sorry-assed face in the mirror.
He dropped his head against his reflection and muttered, “You owe her an apology, jackass.” He released a groan, fogging the glass, before returning to the bedroom.
His mouth flew open when he saw Nia standing next to the bed. She wore one of the dresses she’d just purchased: a knee length red satin number cut up the side, revealing one of her perfectly sculpted legs almost to her hip. The neckline swept to the side and hooked over one shoulder with fabric longer than the dress itself flowing down her back. The red stilettos she’d fawned all over actually looked good with the dress and brought out the tone in her legs, not that he’d ever admit he noticed.
“Close your mouth; you’re starting to resemble the Neanderthal I always thought you were.” Spinning her strawberry blonde curls into a knot, she slipped the dark wig onto her head.
“About that,” Garrett started.
“Don’t bother.” Turning away, Nia pulled a dark, fuzzy wrap from her bag and tossed it over her shoulders. “You were right. This is a job, not a vacation. I get it. I guess shopping makes me forget stuff. You’d best commit that to memory since we’ll be working together in the future. No shopping trips without a stern talking to beforehand.” She waggled a finger toward him, her face scrunched in a stern schoolteacher sort of way.
Garrett tried to slip a word in several times. She continued on her rant while they walked down to the dining hall. He had surrendered for the time being. Perhaps he’d give it a go after she�
��d calmed down, giving him time to decide exactly what to say.
I’m sorry. I was pondering what screwing you would be like and pissed myself off. Yeah, that would go over well. He caught himself rolling his eyes at the thought.
As they entered the room, Nia tucked her hand in the crook of his elbow. She snuggled against his arm, turning a sweet smile toward him. Cynicism still crinkled around her eyes. Servants seated them at one end of the long dining table next to Mr. Gentry and another of his cronies, this time a younger, nice looking man complete with blonde hair and blue eyes. Nia, still stuck with the elder of the two, turned on the charm, touching Gentry’s hand, arm, hair and anything else she could grope in a public place. All the while, the man soaked up her attention like a sponge to water, with his ego inflating in much the same manner.
After the gourmet, four-course meal, people wandered into the study for drinks. Nia clung to Gentry’s arm, hanging on his every word. If Garrett hadn’t known better, he’d think she was genuinely interested in him.
The younger man came toward Garrett. “My name is Shane Crawford.”
Garrett shook his hand. “Stephen Nichols, nice to meet ya.” An odd feeling of déjà-vu skittered through his mind.
As though reading his thoughts, Shane asked, “Have we met before?”
Wiping away any inquisitiveness, he emphatically shook his head. “Nope, not unless you been in Texas. Don’t get outta there much.”
Shane’s eyes narrowed briefly. “No, I can’t say as I’ve been there.” He glanced over at Gentry and Nia on the couch. “I hope you don’t mind me saying, but your wife is a beautiful woman.”
A tinge of jealousy poked at his ego. Chauvinism quickly pushed it aside. “Don’t mind a bit. She’s one perty filly.” He found himself wishing she were standing there so he could smack her ass. It just didn’t feel right talking that way without the ability to punctuate his sentence.
Music filled the air. Gentry jumped to his feet in front of Nia, but Shane pushed his way through the people standing around, extending his hand to her first. “May I have the pleasure of this dance?”
Secrets of the Sapphires Page 6