“I’m gonna have him kick your ass for that.”
“If he can get off the couch.”
Sasha sat back and watched the show and the more she looked into Wes’ eyes the more familiar they came. She silently cursed as she realized she knew him from high school. Candice was new to the area but he certainly wasn’t. His full name was Carter Wesley and she used to have the biggest crush on him. It felt like such an odd thing to remember now ten years later in the middle of working the biggest case of her career but as he sat next to her the memories flooded back. Unlike the other popular kids at MP High he hadn’t been mean to her because of what she wore or her past. Four years of high school and they spoke maybe twice in the halls in passing. He’d say hi and she’d turn into a nervous mess. It didn’t help the butterflies in her stomach that he looked better since high school, it seemed he worked outside judging by his tan skin and rippling muscles barely concealed by his t-shirt. Construction work if she had to guess.
“Mrs. Walker? Damn it Wes you’ve scared her into a coma.”
Sasha blinked and tried to conceal her embarrassment. “I’m sorry. I was thinking about what to order seeing as everything smells so good.”
“We have a six egg omelet that will make you weep with your choice of sausage or bacon. I recommend it.”
“That sounds perfect and I’ll go with the bacon.”
“Coming right up.” Candice scribbled the order down and turned to hand it off to the cook.
“Most women that look like you stay away from greasy bacon.” Wes commented.
“And what do I look like?”
“Gorgeous with legs for days.” He had never been shy and that hadn’t changed, he held no qualms about looking down at her exposed legs and dragging his eyes back up to her face.
“You’re impossible. I’m married and you should respect that.” That was the best she could think of so he’d stop his bold flirting that made her stomach tighten with desire that was unrealistic. He was flirting with a person she painted across her face and shoved into these clothes that really didn’t exist.
“Where is said husband?”
Before she could tell him the same thing she told Candice she was interrupted by the man himself. “Right here. Sorry I’m late.” Nick cupped his hand around her cheek and kissed her hello. The butterflies in her stomach turned into vicious hawks flapping about until she was dizzy. “Hi, I’m Connor.” He shook the other man’s hand.
“Wes. I should get going before my boss notices I’m late. Pleasure meeting you Maggie.” He grabbed his to go cup of coffee Candice had prepared him and left with a wink.
With wide eyes as she watched his retreating form, Sasha thought it was a good thing she wasn’t really married to Nick because she knew he’d kick Wes’ ass for that little wink if they were. “What are you doing here?” she asked her pretend husband as they sat alone.
He sat in the now empty seat next to her. “It’s the closest place to the house so I checked here first and just in time to stop that jerk from hitting on you.”
“He’s not a jerk.”
Nick’s dark eyes narrowed as he read something off her face. “Oh. Is that what it takes you get your attention? Cheesy flirting?” he appeared jealous but she couldn’t be sure.
“What does that mean? Are you trying to get my attention?” this felt dangerous and yet she still asked the question and couldn’t turn away from his eyes. Wes had pretty clear sky eyes but the dark navy blue shade of Nick’s grabbed her every time with their intoxicating intensity she wanted to ignore and never found a way to during the last year.
“Last night yeah but I’m no so sure anymore.” He grabbed the leg of her stool and pulled her closer between his legs. “Why’d you leave without a word?”
“You were sleeping.”
“We’re partners on this, how am I supposed to back you up if I don’t know where the hell you are? You can’t leave me out of the loop because I kissed you and made you feel something you weren’t ready for.”
Her heart rate speed up loud enough she was sure he might hear it. “What the hell does that mean?” she was getting sick and tired of him reading her like a how-to manual and yet again she had no idea what to do about it. Just when she thought she had her relationship with Nick all figured out he was throwing her way off course. Last week he never would’ve been so bold with his touches or words and she never would’ve felt a reaction for them. The biggest case of her career was steadily becoming her biggest mistake.
He glanced down from her eyes to her mouth and slowly back up again before turning away and grabbing her forgotten menu. “What’d you order?”
Chapter 12
He thought she was beautiful as he watched her from across the diner. Sure enough Maggie Walker returned home to play. He itched to step closer and inhale her perfume and drag her home with him now but it was too soon. Her husband fit in with his plans nicely as well, he needed a couple for the last part of his routine and they were too perfect to pass up. If this wasn’t a sign from the universe he didn’t know what was.
With a sigh of regret he paid for his breakfast and left Maggie in the diner out of his reach. He had to stay on track and find number three. Six and seven’s turn would come all in due time.
He checked his watch as he walked down to his car. It was still pretty early into the morning and with no other engagements it was perfect to get a little hunting done.
Nicholas woke with a strange epiphany staring him in the face. He liked kissing Sasha and when he really thought about it there was a lot about Sasha he liked. Now came the part where he was supposed to figure out what the hell to do with that realization. It took her breaking down and crying to reveal true parts about her self and he liked those parts just as much as the exterior beauty she carried and swore wasn’t there. After spending an afternoon with Stacy and her group of friends it was no big surprise Sasha had no self esteem outside of the job. “I called and checked in with Pete.” He said to break the silence as he drove them back to the house. Breakfast had been tense because of all the silent second guessing she was doing on her part.
“No more news on the killer?” As always work was where she shined and felt comfortable.
“None. The local department is doing their best to keep the details of the murders under wraps before the public catches on this guy is in their backyard again.” Nick turned down their street and noticed a car in the driveway. As he drove closer he saw a woman on the porch waiting. “Looks like we have company.”
Sasha leaned in closer to the windshield. “Oh shit.”
“What?” she didn’t bother answering and instead rushed out the car to approach the woman. “Ok, then.” Nick shrugged and followed at a slower pace.
“…don’t say anything until we’re inside.” Sasha quietly advised their guest and took the keys from Nick’s hand. Inside the house she locked the door and asked. “What are you doing here?”
“Jim got a job offer and we moved back last month. I picked up today’s paper and there’s a picture of my baby sister.” Nick’s eyes widened as this started to make some sense. Sasha’s older sister could ruin their whole trap if they weren’t careful.
“How’d you know it was me?”
“Yeah, you were wearing a dress and there was the wrong name in the caption but I know you better than anyone else. I figured it had something to do with work but I also hoped that wasn’t the case. What dangerous mess are you involved in?” The woman had the same shade of green eyes as her sister minus the flicks of yellow and those green eyes were hard with fear and demands. Her emotions were an oxymoron yet she pulled it off well enough that there was no mistaking her feelings.
Sasha sighed and while trying to come up with an answer she noticed Nick watching them. “This is my sister Carolyn.” she explained. “Caro, this is my partner Nicholas but no one can know that. We’re undercover and have to stay Maggie and Connor.”
“I read the article and I remember those m
urders when it happened. If you’re here does that mean the killer is too?” Carolyn looked distressed now at all the information she was being forced to absorb.
“We hope so.” Sasha wasn’t hesitating to admit the truth to her big sister, which could prove to be another problem. “I don’t like that you didn’t tell me about the move and I like even less that you’re here in the middle of this.”
“I didn’t tell you because I know how much you hated growing up here and how much you love to argue.”
Nick chimed in, “I told you it wasn’t just me who thought so.”
Carolyn turned and really looked at him since they all entered a room together. “Is this the same Nick you work with in Washington?”
“You talk about me?” he had no idea until last night she had a sister but apparently said sister knew all about him.
With a sigh Sasha moved to the couch and sat. “Don’t feed into his already huge ego. What are we going to do about this? You have to leave town.”
“No, I can’t. Jim is the new guy at the office and he can’t take any time off yet.”
Sasha made a face that only Nick picked up on and if he had to guess he’d say Sasha wasn’t a fan of her brother in law. “We can’t force you to leave,” he began. “but everything you know you can’t tell a soul not even your husband. This might be our only chance to catch this guy and we can’t take any risks he finds out this is all a trap.”
Carolyn bit down on her lower lip. “I don’t like any of this. Why couldn’t you find a nice safe job where you don’t have to lie about your name?”
“Because that’s not what I wanted.” Sasha said it in a way that suggested it wasn’t the first or even the tenth time the Madden sister’s had this conversation. “I need you to promise you’re not going to tell Jim. I know you take the honesty vow very serious but I need you to back me on this.”
With a sigh the older sister agreed. “I won’t say anything but I have some questions you can help me with. I’m working at the police station assisting the sheriff.”
Sasha and Nick shared a look that echoed the same distain. “Crap. I thought you hated everything to do with law enforcement?”
“Daddy didn’t just pass down the inquisitive gene to you. They had an opening and I took it, simple as that. I know there have been two bodies found and there’s FBI agents in town overseeing the investigations. Does it connect to you being here?”
Nick reached out and gripped Sasha’s arm before she answered her sister’s question with no hesitance again. “Right now it’s all speculation. We have no contact with the other agents in town and know nothing of their mission.” That wasn’t true but he would fill Sasha in when they were alone.
Carolyn wasn’t the headstrong argumentative sister, she nodded and accepted his answer with no fuss. “I have to get back home to prepare lunch. I guess seeing as you’re here under a different name we shouldn’t hang out too much.”
Sasha stood to walk her sister out. “Right, but that doesn’t mean we won’t see each other. Maggie’s a nice person always looking for friends.”
“You must really be whipping out those acting chops.”
“I’m trying. I’ll see you around and when this is over we can catch up better.” Both sisters hugged each other goodbye. Sasha shut the door and leaned back against it until she heard the car door shut and her sister drive away. “Spill McBain, who else is in town?”
He smiled, it impressed him every time she was one step ahead figuring out the puzzle before someone else could explain it to her. “Whatever do you mean?”
“Pete’s running the show wherever the FBI is concerned and he would’ve sent his own team to the local PD. I know I’m right.” Forgetting momentarily they weren’t back at the office and she wasn’t in her usual attire, summer dress and all she put her hands on her hips and stared him down.
“You are right but I didn’t want your sister knowing more than she already does. It’s not safe for her or us. Noah and Wayne were already in Texas so Pete assigned them here after the cartel bust was all taken care of. Now we have to talk about your sister. I just met her but something tells me she isn’t going to butt out when something about the case comes her way at the office.”
“She likes answers.” Sasha agreed as she went back to the couch and sat. “I can’t force her out of town because she won’t go anywhere without her husband. We can call Noah and Wayne and tell them to keep an eye out for her and make sure she doesn’t learn anything.”
“That might work. What’s the story with you and your brother and law?”
“What?”
“You made a face anytime he’s mentioned.”
“I told you to stop profiling me.”
“I wasn’t. Its simple observation and you do it all the time. So what is it? We’ve been trying to get to know each other better.”
“Yeah but I’m the only one spilling my guts.”
“Not true.” He joined her on the couch. “I don’t have anything really to tell about my family unless you want individual life stories on them but it’s nothing juicy. I have been vocally honest about what I’m feeling with you.”
Just like that the air tensed up again and she was closing herself out from his reach. “That’s not true either. You’re telling me bits and pieces of stuff that makes no sense but whatever. You want to know why I don’t like my brother in law? It’s simple, I think he’s a controlling jerk and my sister lets him get away with too much. I’m going to go before we start arguing about who gets the TV remote.”
Nicholas didn’t feel like watching anything as he sat there alone and gave her words some serious thought. She was right; he wasn’t spelling it out correctly for her. He was telling her he was interested only when she showed interest in another guy and only paying her compliments around others or just as they were rushing out the door. That was the problem; the rushing. He needed to take it slower and really get her attention where she’d have no doubt about his intentions at the end of it.
He wasn’t exactly sure where exactly all of this would end up but he was sure the attraction he felt for Sasha Madden soared past a point of being ignored ever again and he wanted to do something about it. He wanted to give her another real kiss that was between them and not some act, he wanted to take her out on a real date and continue learning about the past of a hurt girl she liked to keep hidden from the real world. He wanted her in his arms and preferably with her legs around his waist. “I’m screwed.” He chuckled as he realized yet again all this time Pete was right when he hinted months ago that Nick’s feelings for his co-worker ran much deeper than he was willing to admit even to himself.
Chapter 13
Sasha was lounging in bed reading a book she picked up during her shopping spree back home. It was a crime thriller and it made her miss being in the action of things. Playing bait wasn’t as thrilling as it sounded, it was boring with long days all made up in hopes of drawing out the bad guy. She didn’t doubt by now their unsub took notice that Maggie was back in her home town but would he really make a move? Who’s to say he hasn’t already picked out all seven of his victims and they were too late to change his mind? She prayed that wasn’t the case.
He knocked on the door before saying, “Hey.”
She shut the book and sat up from lying on her stomach. “Yeah?” Nick’s eyes were on her legs, more accurately her exposed thighs where her dress had risen up. Embarrassment burned her cheeks as she realized the way she had been laying probably gave him a bit of a show too. “Why are you bothering me?”
“Zebra print panties?”
Her eyes widened into the size of dinner plates. “You weren’t supposed to see that.” She fought not to bring her hands up and cover her mortified expression.
“I’m not cracking a joke. I’m only pointing out an observation.”
She wondered if this is what a heart attack felt like. Her palms were sweating and her heart was violent along her ribcage. “Nick…I don’t want to
talk about my underwear with you.”
“That’s fine. I came to grab you for dinner, we’re going out.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s part of our orders? I saw some stuff on the dinner menu at that diner form this morning I’m dying to try out. Change and meet me downstairs in ten minutes.”
With a groan Sasha fell back on the bed and mentally counted to ten. It was a part of her job but damn it she wished just for one night they didn’t have to go out and play the happily married couple. With the article in the paper and the appearances put in the other two days one night at home wasn’t that big of a deal. She could reason it all she wanted but facts were facts and the Marshals wanted them out there mingling with the town as much as humanely possible. With another long ugly groan she got up and dragged her feet to the closet. Opting for something different she stayed away from the dresses and instead grabbed a denim skirt and one of Nick’s dress shirts. She had to go out and put on a happy face but this time she was doing it comfortably. She tied the bottom of the shirt into a knot at the base of her hip and grabbed a pair of boots to go along with the outfit. It was very southern if she did say so herself.
It didn’t take long to join Nick downstairs. “You know,” she began. “I think you want to go out so much to secretly pig out of food you’d normally say was bad for you.” Mashed potatoes and gravy didn’t fit in with the type of food he ate around the house.
“Is that my shirt?”
“Yes, I’m borrowing it.”
“That’s fine. It looks better on you anyway.”
She was reminded of their encounter at the conference room back at the bureau before flying out to Texas as again the heat of his eyes reached down to her toes. It was an amazing feat to affect someone so intimately with just a look and she hated him for it. Before this case she had been sure she had Nick all figured out and now she knew nothing about what the hell was going on through his head. “Are you ready?” she decided whatever game he was attempting she wouldn’t be playing along.
Games We Play Page 7