Wild Card Undercover

by Kari Lemor

  But it was all a game to him. A serious FBI game but still simply a part of his undercover assignment. He’d said so the first morning she’d been here and he’d begun to call her sweetie. For her it had become much more.

  She’d changed a lot since she left home almost two years ago. Naïve, never imagining people could be cruel and twisted. The fresh little comebacks had come easy, how could they not with three brothers teaching her? But since being here she’d grown up, a lot. Become more independent and proud. Independent in order to survive as no one was around to give a damn about her situation. The pride was something her parents had instilled in her, but it had grown stronger and she’d needed to keep it close to her so she didn’t succumb to the easy way out like many of Moreno’s women did.

  Memories of last night and Barone’s hands touching her, made her skin crawl. Chris’s masculine hand now moving against her chest didn’t cause any revulsion. He would never touch her with the same crude intent as Barone or Moreno. His feelings might not be the same as hers but he respected her and that meant the world to her.

  He pushed one of his legs between hers and the fingers on his other hand began to stir as well. She should pull away. His breathing told her he was still asleep, not aware of what he was doing. But it felt too good and she didn’t want him to stop. Needed his hands on her to erase the feeling of Barone’s revolting fat ones. Was it wrong to want a memory of Chris? She had their sweet and sometimes passionate kisses and innocent touches, had their brief seductive romp in the surf, but she wanted something more.

  * * * *

  Chris was having the most delicious dream. He and Meg were finally tangled in the sheets and he was caressing every inch of her delectable curves. Her skin was silky and smooth and her gorgeous ass was pressed firmly against his crotch making him hard and ready. It was so incredibly real that he didn’t want to wake up.

  His mind became more lucid. This was no dream. He was indeed exploring Meg’s curves and his leg was between her firm, lean thighs. She used them to press his leg closer to her core. Soft sounds floated from her throat and he throbbed with desire. Had she noticed the twitch near her backside? He should stop right now. She was probably half asleep and didn’t realize what was happening.

  He halted the movement of his hands and she grumbled. Her back arched and her chest pushed farther into his grasp as she whispered, “Don’t stop, please.”

  He nuzzled his nose into her neck. “We shouldn’t be doing this.” His hands didn’t listen. He moved his other leg over her hip as she ran her hand along the soft fabric covering his thigh. Her fingers dug into his muscles and moved up until she kneaded his hip and butt. Now it was his turn to groan.

  “Oh, sweetie, that feels much too good. Really, we shouldn’t.”

  Her head moved up and down again as she turned her body to face him. “Yes, we should.”

  Desire flashed from her eyes and he was lost. She needed him, wanted him. As her white knight he was required to do her bidding. A sly smile grew on his face and he lowered his head to touch his lips to hers. “Yes, M’Lady.”

  They’d kissed plenty of times but he thought this kiss was somehow more powerful than all the others put together. Maybe because this one was truly from the heart and not simply a ploy to fool others. This kiss was fooling no one. It didn’t need to, it was real.

  She tangled her arms around his neck pulling him closer. He leaned over and rested on his elbows so he didn’t crush her. Tracing his tongue along the outside of her mouth he was whisked away to a place he hadn’t been to in a long time, maybe never. When was the last time he’d been filled with this much emotion and longing? Sure, he’d had great sex with his share of women, even imagined himself falling for them at times. But what he was feeling now, it had never been this strong. This woman did something to him and he didn’t understand what. But it felt good and right. It also scared the crap out of him, because it felt permanent and forever. Would she want permanent and forever? Did he want permanent and forever?

  In the past he always thought there must be something better out there. He never wanted to make the same mistake his father had made, giving in to his desire without thinking of the consequences. But Meg wasn’t married and neither was he so they certainly weren’t cheating on anyone else. The way he was feeling about her, he didn’t think there was anything better out there. She was it.

  Her mouth opened as a moan escaped and he swooped in, allowing his tongue to meet and dance with hers. He’d felt the wit and sting of that tongue but now felt the sensuality of it as well. Such versatility.

  He let his hands travel over her curves while she moved her hands to stroke along his back. When she pushed his shirt up to reach more of him, he pulled it over his head, tossing it aside. Her eyes showed unabashed appreciation and he swelled like a peacock, knowing she’d shown this admiration during their pretend liaisons but she had no reason to pretend right now. No one was watching.

  He nipped at her lips then slid his down her cheek to the hollow of her throat. That sensitive spot called to him. The one he’d hit several times while they’d been making out by the pool so Moreno didn’t know they were listening to every word. She shuddered so he sucked on the tender skin, her tremors growing.

  She threw her head back, tiny whimpers erupting from her throat. The sound sent spikes of desire straight to his shaft. He drifted lower with his mouth while he crept his hands under her top to finish what he’d been doing when he woke up. Her hands caressed his shoulders and back. Her touch set him on fire and he wasn’t sure there was anything cool enough to douse the flames.

  Her little cries incited him further and he tugged on the hem of her top. She lifted enough for him to rid her of it, tossing it next to his on the floor. The sight of her left him speechless and stunned. Her generous breasts were firm with dusky nipples nearly begging for his mouth. He honestly never expected to get the privilege of viewing this perfection.

  He didn’t want to think about who else had seen her and was sure Meg wanted to forget as well. He lowered his head pressing gentle kisses to the top of her swollen breasts. He traced the outside of the curve with his fingers and took her tight pink bud into his mouth.

  “Oh, God,” she cried out, her breathing heavier than it had been. Clenching her hands in his hair she held him tightly to her chest and raised her legs on either side of him. His arousal settled into the apex of her thighs. The thought of how close they were was almost painful.

  He lavished her perfect breasts then trekked south to her taut abdomen, ducking his tongue inside her navel. She slid her legs around him and clenched her hands in his hair.

  He tugged at the waistband of her sleep shorts. The tone of his phone rang across the room stilling him. Now? No, why would someone be calling him now?

  Meg stiffened, a small gasp of despair escaping from her lips. Ignore it. Just ignore it. When the ringing stopped he breathed a sigh of relief, returning his lips to Meg’s silky skin. The tone sounded again. Whoever was calling was anxious to get a hold of him.

  “Damn,” he muttered, pulling himself reluctantly away from Meg and off the bed. He grabbed the device from his pants pocket and growled, “Hello?”

  His boss’s voice came through the line and he stared at Meg in the mirror as she covered herself with the sheets looking around frantically for her top. She found it then scooted off the bed to run into the bathroom. He looked at the closed door and frowned wondering what she was thinking about now. Doolittle gave him a few details so he moved into the living area to grab a pen to jot them down. By the time he was done, Meg had come out of the bathroom fully dressed wearing her long sweater. Protection mode.

  He hung up the phone looking at her with regret. Not because he hadn’t wanted to make love to her, but because it wasn’t the right time. How did he tell her this without making her feel worse?

  “You hungry?” he started casually. She was always hungry when she woke up.

  S
he rolled her eyes answering, “What do you think?”

  Back to the wise remarks. Some day he wished she didn’t feel like she had to hide behind them as much. The smartass comments were her protection and had been since she’d been down here. Smiling, he opened the fridge.

  Within ten minutes he had some eggs and ham cooked up and served on plates, but he noticed this time she only picked at the contents. He wasn’t all that hungry himself; not for food anyway.

  “Meg,” he began softly, awkward and unsure. “About what happened … it might not have been the best timing.”

  She glared at him, “You think?”

  He closed his eyes taking a deep breath. “No, I mean it’s not the right time for us to be doing that sort of thing. Not for real anyway. The kissing and touching in public is one thing but that….”

  “Wasn’t the right time,” she ground out, polishing off her glass of juice. “Yeah, I get it.”

  She carefully placed her glass in the sink, her shoulders lifting up and down. He moved up behind her, leaning down to see her face. Her eyes were filled with moisture. His heart ached to think he’d caused the reaction.

  He lifted his hands to her shoulders sighing. “It’s not that I wasn’t enjoying myself, it’s just we got a little carried away. You’re still technically under my supervision as my informant. It would be highly unethical of me to sleep with you now. And I respect you too much to put you in that position.”

  She sniffed then straightened her shoulders before she turned around. Her face was completely under control, her stiff smile firmly in place.

  “Well, don’t worry about it too much, muffin,” she emphasized the name but the playful tone was missing. “I was trying to get the memory of dough boy’s hands on me out of my mind. I think we managed that.”

  His eyes narrowed and the pain in his gut was like a sucker punch. He didn’t know if he believed her; didn’t want to think she would use him that way. She wasn’t the type to use someone for her own sexual needs, was she? Trying to save face more likely. He’d remain professional and wouldn’t call her out on it now. They hadn’t wrapped up this case yet. If they’d finished what had started, he wouldn’t be able to think of anything else. His dick was still aching.

  “That was Doolittle,” he changed the subject as she walked over to the balcony staring out at the pool area. “He wants to meet with us today and see if you can fill in any of the blanks. We should probably head out soon if we want to get back in time for you to work tonight. It’s almost eleven.”

  She nodded her head and replied, “Okay, I’m ready whenever you want to go.”

  “I’ll just take a quick shower then we can leave.” Standing in the doorway for a second, he watched her, but she never turned around. He sincerely hoped they could put Moreno behind bars soon because then she wouldn’t be working with him, and having a relationship with her wouldn’t be taboo.

  * * * *

  Meg opened her locker and sighed. She hoped tonight would be the last time she’d have to do this. The Feds and local cops had picked up a few of Moreno’s accomplices last night while they were transporting some of the stolen goods he’d spoken of two nights ago. Even with those arrests, they still needed the big bust tonight, the weapons shipment that was due in soon. She and Chris had met with Doolittle and some of the other agents who were working the shadier end of things and managed to get all the little details ironed out as to exactly what was coming in, where, and when. If she was lucky she might not even have to finish her shift tonight.

  Then she and Chris would say goodbye. She sighed again. It didn’t matter. Their time together had all been pretend anyway. She’d enjoyed herself and suspected he had too, but still, it was only an assignment to him, nothing more. To her it was the beginning of a broken heart. She’d vowed she wouldn’t fall for him and had failed miserably. She couldn’t deny how she felt about him, but she wouldn’t make it hard on him when the time came to say goodbye. Her grin would be huge when she said, “So long sucker, thanks for the good time.” Then she would call him muffin one last time.

  Would the memory of the nickname have him remember her and smile? She’d be smiling soon when she finally got back home, though nerves jangled in her stomach at what her family would say when she showed up on their doorstep. She wanted their forgiveness and a second chance to show them how much she loved them and missed them.

  Reaching inside her locker, she picked up the dreaded sandals and dropped them on the floor before she lifted her blouse from its hook. As she grasped the hem of her shirt the door opened and Sonny stuck his head in. Her mouth opened to yell at him when he smirked and said, “Boss is looking for you. Wants to see you in the back room. Now.”

  Her heart raced as she adjusted the fancy metal hairclip on her ponytail. Doolittle had given it to her yesterday and it held a tiny electronic listening device inside. They had wanted to make sure they could hear anything he said tonight in case he decided to call off the big deals. She was hoping to drop it in the back room to record everything they said regardless of whether she was in there or not.

  “I’m not in my uniform yet,” she pointed out as she looked down at her ripped jeans and faded shirt. Sonny frowned pointing in the direction of the back room.

  “He said now.”

  She followed him, surprised to find Barone there, too. Sonny closed the door behind him and a sudden chill crawled up her spine. This couldn’t be good.

  “Katie, Katie, Katie.” Moreno took a few steps closer. “What am I going to do with you?”

  Play dumb and innocent. You have no idea what crawled up his pants making him mad. Her insides were quaking. Could they all hear her heart pounding in her chest from where they stood?

  “I had a few problems with some business transactions yesterday,” Moreno explained calmly, but she could hear the anger beneath the surface. It was how he’d spoken to her right before he’d left the nasty bruises on her arms.

  “I’ve been racking my brains trying to figure out how the cops knew where and when these business transactions would take place. It seems someone must have told them and it makes me angry to think that someone would betray me in such a way. You wouldn’t have any idea who would do that to me, do you, Katie?”

  Moreno’s dark eyes narrowed showing his volatile mood. She shook her head quickly and said, “Everyone knows it would be stupid to cross you, Mr. Moreno. I don’t know who would have done this.”

  “The thing is,” Moreno continued as his hands dug into her arms where the bruises had finally healed, “that you were in here a few nights ago when many of my associates and I were discussing these very same transactions. The night you were a little more open with us. Don’t you find that a little odd, and maybe coincidental?”

  “I’ve been in here many nights for the last few years, Mr. Moreno,” she cried as his hands dug deeper into her skin. “I honestly haven’t paid any attention to what kind of business you discuss. It’s all pretty boring to me.”

  Moreno pushed her hard and she landed on the floor near the card table. She cringed as he approached but she couldn’t crawl out of the way fast enough to avoid his hand across her face. “Now why don’t I believe you? Give me the truth. Did you talk to the cops?”

  She let out a tiny cry of pain and wondered if Chris and his pals were listening in yet. Hopefully, or her career as a waitress was about to end right here. Her shoulders hunched as Moreno let his hand fly one more time.

  Another whimper escaped her mouth and she moaned, “No, Mr. Moreno, I swear, I never talked to the cops. I wouldn’t do that to you.”

  If someone didn’t hear her soon she might not make it out of this room alive. Moreno’s mood was dangerous and Barone was scowling. Crap. It was still early and the Feds weren’t expecting anything to happen yet so they probably weren’t listening.

  She’d told Chris if she was ever in real trouble she would scream her head off and run from the room. Sonny stood in fro
nt of the door making sure no one came in, or in her case, went out. She swallowed hard and hoped she’d have the chance.

  Chapter 19

  “Hey, Philip,” Chris greeted as he slid inside the paneled van parked a few streets over from Surf. “You all set with beverages and snacks for the night?”

  The balding, gray haired man moved his ample girth back a few feet in his chair and glared at him. “Go ahead, make jokes, Shaunessy. One of these days you’ll lose all that thick, blond hair, you’ll put on a few pounds, and you won’t get all the cushy assignments anymore. Then you’ll find yourself pulling surveillance like me. You need to find yourself a nice lady who can cook and she’ll fatten you up something good.”

  He laughed at his friend as he started twisting knobs and typing in codes but his mind immediately went to Meg. She wasn’t a bad little cook, and even though he liked to cook himself, he thought about how much fun they’d had making some of their dinners together. If all went as planned tonight, they wouldn’t be doing that any more. His mind should be on business for now. Thoughts of what he wanted to do with Meg could come later. Once they’d put Moreno behind bars.

  Phil was all set up to listen in on Moreno as well as follow the many operations in play. Once they’d been carried out, a small team would go in and arrest Moreno. Chris planned on being front and center when that happened. Phil would bring him his sidearm once the team was ready. He couldn’t sit around the club with it hanging out of his belt. It would take all his control not to blow Moreno’s head off with it considering all he’d done to Meg.

  Plopping on a stool, he picked up a set of headphones to listen in. Making sure the equipment was working before he went inside the club. He’d wait an hour or so. It wouldn’t do to show up earlier than usual. He couldn’t have Moreno getting suspicious. The man might be a bit twitchy with the arrests from yesterday.