“Mmm,” she murmured, closing her eyes and putting a bracing hand on his shoulder. “I didn’t know it until now, but I’ve been wanting you to do this, too.”
His close-lipped laugh sent puffs of air across her ear, and she shivered with awareness. “Tell me more about yourself,” he said, settling her onto his lap. He took her earlobe between his teeth and flicked the edge with his tongue.
“I can’t think,” she confessed.
“Then don’t. Just talk.” Teague ran the tip of his tongue along the outer edge of her ear then pressed his lips to her temple near her hairline.
A fog of sensuality surrounded her, filling her mind and preventing clear thought. Jaeda had a fleeting idea that this could become an excellent interrogation method. As soon as the thought occurred, it fled.
“Talk about myself,” she mumbled lazily, more mindful of his hand stroking her back than the words coming from her lips. “I’m a simple girl. Woman. I mean, life isn’t simple, and neither is my work, but deep down inside, I’m not complicated.” Did she say that aloud?
He trailed soft pecks along the hairline at her forehead. “Go on,” he said against her skin.
“It’s not easy to talk about myself. I’ve been so driven in my work that I haven’t really given much thought to myself.” He moved to her other ear and she turned to give him better access. “I didn’t start out wanting to work for the government. I entered the police academy after college. I wanted to be a cyber-detective. I enjoy puzzles. I guess I made an impression. I was too good at it. Really liked what I was doing.”
“You were recruited?”
She stiffened. She’d said too much.
He whispered, “Into what? The IRS? The Pentagon’s Department of Defense?”
She relaxed and fought relieved laughter. “Yeah. Something like that.”
Cupping the back of her head, he nuzzled her cheek. “So what do you want, Jaeda Bennett?”
She frowned. I want the information you hide. I want to walk away from this assignment with the satisfaction of a job well done. And I want you to kiss me like you did in the car. “What do you mean?”
“From this, Jaeda. From me. Do you want one night, or do you want more?” Teague ceased his kisses and caresses. He simply held her close and waited.
Her ears throbbed as a loud ringing echoed in her head. For a moment, her heart skipped a beat and sent a sharp pain knifing through her chest.
More?
Since becoming a secret agent, she hadn’t thought past the next week. Sometimes not past the next day.
More?
She had dreamt of forever as a little girl…imagined her wedding day and pretended to walk down the aisle toward the man she loved. Back then, the man had been her dad. At what point had she given up on that dream?
Capture his heart.
Tilting her face to meet his gaze, she realized only one answer would see her to a successful conclusion of this assignment. Yet that answer hit much too close to the truth. It threatened to drown her.
With tears in her eyes and her heart ripping from her chest, she whispered, “More.”
Oh, God. What have I done?
Teague captured her lips in a sweet kiss that moved her heart three inches closer to her throat. The director had ordered her to win his love, but what would she do if he won hers?
Frightened and confused, she pushed at his shoulders and backed out of the kiss. “I should go.” She scrambled off his lap and made to stand, but he grasped her wrist.
“I won’t hurt you, Jaeda.”
Yes, you will. Even if he didn’t intend to, his involvement in whatever had instigated the need for a secret agent would prove his corruptness and break her heart. She needed to go to her dingy little hotel room and get a reality check. Then she could start again the next day with a renewed perspective. A clear head.
Glancing at her watch, she discovered nearly an hour had passed. Her mind spun. How had that happened? It had only seemed like minutes.
She eyed her glass of brandy. She could have a clear head tomorrow. Tonight, she wanted more of that liquid warmth. She offered him an apologetic smile then retrieved the tumbler from the table and downed the liquor on a single breath.
“Whoa,” Teague said, standing and reaching for the glass.
Too late, she thought, suddenly giddy. Heat raced through her veins as though she had taken the brandy intravenously instead. “Wow. That’s some good stuff.”
“Right.” Cautiously, he took the crystal from her. “Good thing you’re not driving tonight.”
Her entire body relaxed and she sagged. “I’m sooo sleepy.”
“It’s the brandy.” He set the glass on the table and handed her a bite-sized square of white cheese. “Here, eat something. It’ll help.”
She hiccoughed on a sob. “I don’t want help. I like this feeling. I’m always in control, you know. Every second of every day. I’m one of the most disciplined people I know. It’s disgusting, actually. No, I kind of like this loopy feeling.” She looked at the ceiling and it tipped. It made her think of her childhood days when she would spin until the world went sideways. Spreading her arms, she turned and stumbled. “And I never wear shoes like this. I could break my neck.”
He chuckled. The wonderful sound fascinated her, and she stared at his mouth, wishing he’d make that sound again.
“I’ll call the driver around,” he said. Moving slowly, he went to the desk and touched a single button on the telephone. “Caster, I’m sorry to disturb you. Ms. Bennett is ready to go. Would you please bring the car to the front?” He paused as the driver responded, then said, “Very good. We’ll meet you in the drive.” Touching the button again, he gave Jaeda a serious look. “Caster left the car in the drive, knowing he’d likely be driving you home.”
“Very thoughtful,” she said with a heavy nod that cracked her neck and made the floor appear to come racing toward her. Staggering to avoid a collision with the approaching carpet, she flailed her arms and regained her balance. Amazing how one glass of brandy and one very handsome man had erased her years of experience and reduced her to a rank amateur. Agents who lost their control like this on an op also tended to lose their lives. “Okay, then,” she said with a sigh. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
An amused smirk turned up one corner of his mouth. “Will you, now?”
With a flourish, she sent her coat over her shoulders and freed the ends of her hair that caught under the collar. “Yeah. You know, the whole more thing.”
“Right. Brilliant. I’d hoped you hadn’t forgotten that.” Teague took her hand and walked her from the room.
“I think there was something in that brandy,” she said in an accusing tone. “Did you drug me? Are you a womanizer?”
“A what?” he asked on a laugh, his eyes bright and dancing.
“You’re an awfully good kisser.” Did she say kisher? Nah. She shook her head to rid it of the silly notion. “Where was I? Oh, yeah. You kiss really well. It makes me feel like I’m floating. So you practice, right? Lots of women, lots of practice?”
“Are you accusing me of being a philanderer?”
Did he have to smile so big? The man was too handsome for his own good. And who started this conversation, anyway? “Where are we going?”
“You’re going home. Although, if you want to change your mind, I would fancy it if you stayed a bit longer.”
“Going home. That’s a really good idea. I need to go and think, but that brandy did something to my brain. Honestly, Teague, did you put something in it?” She narrowed her eyes at him, hoping she could intimidate him into telling the truth.
“Honestly,” he said with a grin. “I didn’t.”
She believed him instantly. “Okay. Don’t let me drink it anymore. Promise.”
“I’ll do no such thing. This is the most fun I’ve had in ages.”
She poked him in the chest. “Behave.”
“Go home.” He pulled open the front door. The driver
waited at the top of the snow-covered stairs. “And yes, I’ll see you tomorrow. I’ve got a few calls to make in the morning, but give me your number and I’ll ring you when I’m done.”
She waved a hand in airy dismissal. She couldn’t think straight, and there was no telling what number she’d give him. “I’ll call you.” She stepped across the threshold and slid an inch in the snow.
“Watch your step,” warned the driver, thrusting out a protective arm. “It’s icy.”
She grasped his leather-encased hand and ventured the rest of the way out. Around her, snow swirled in thick clouds, obstructing the view to nearly everything. She could barely make out the silver car not twenty feet away.
“You don’t have my number,” said Teague from the doorway.
“Trust me,” she said, finding it inordinately difficult to descend the wide stairs, even with the driver’s help. “I can find anything. I’m a computer whiz, remember?”
Chapter Seven
Jaeda sat in the back seat of the Rolls Royce, slipping in and out of consciousness. During more lucid moments, she experienced intense panic. For the life of her, she couldn’t remember what she’d said to Teague. Did she tell him she was a secret agent? No. He’d guessed IRS. She giggled.
Caster glanced at her in the rearview mirror. “Are you okay back there?”
“Fine…I think. Brandy doesn’t agree with me.”
“So it would seem.”
He didn’t have to be so smug. And at the speed he drove, it would take an hour to get to the hotel. She stared out the window at the blizzard that hid the world.
The next moment, she woke in a groggy stupor. How long had she slept? They still crept along in the storm as if nothing had changed, but her neck had grown stiff. Rubbing the protesting muscles, she twisted her head from side to side. When she peered out what limited view the iced windshield offered, the driver pulled between the stone pillars of Teague’s drive.
“Wait a minute. What’s going on?” She squinted to read a blue digital clock in the dash. “Ten o’clock? You let me sleep for an hour?”
“I’m sorry, Miss,” Caster said, sounding stressed. “I’ll explain in a moment. Let me get you safely to the house.”
She folded her arms across her chest. At least she had slept off the effects of the brandy and could think clearly.
The driver assisted her up the stairs, now thick with about five inches of snow. Wind gusted and sucked any warmth she had gained while sleeping in the car. By the time the butler opened the front door, her eyes watered from pain caused by the stinging cold.
Inside, she fisted her hands and tried not to appear foolish as she shivered. Teague stalked out of the study and made his way to the foyer with a frown. “What happened?”
“That’s what I’d like to know,” Jaeda said, clenching her teeth to reduce their chatter.
“Good heavens, you’re frozen.” He took her hands and rubbed them between his.
“I’m sorry, sir,” said the driver. “The temperature has plummeted. Apparently the earlier rain in town has now frozen on the roads. I didn’t dare chance a trip on the expressway after seeing a number of cars sliding into one another on the ramp. Not with my precious cargo, anyway.” He glanced sheepishly toward her.
“I fell asleep and missed it all,” she explained, her anger quickly subsiding with the driver’s explanation.
Caster continued. “It had taken us more than half an hour to make it to the transfer, sir. Without taking the expressway, it would take all night in these conditions to get her home. The wind has brought the temperature below zero, and the heater couldn’t manage. The windscreen was freezing quickly, and the ice made if difficult to see. I thought it best to bring her back here.” He gave her a polite nod. “I’m sorry, Miss.”
“You did your best,” she said, guilty for giving him a hard time.
“Yes,” agreed Teague. “You did the right thing. It doesn’t look like any of us are going anywhere tomorrow. Why don’t you put the car away and turn in?”
“Thank you, sir.”
When the driver had gone outside and closed the door, Teague turned to the butler. “Sutton, have Mrs. Wilson prepare the lavender room for Ms. Bennett. Then retire the household for the night. I don’t believe we’ll be needing anything else.”
Sutton gestured for her to pass him her coat, but she clutched it at her throat and shook her head. He bowed and disappeared through a door where the foyer transitioned into the hallway.
“You look ready to turn into an ice statue,” said Teague.
“I had hoped to go to the hotel.” She had to stay at the manor? The director would be thrilled. She, on the other hand, didn’t know if she’d make it through the night intact.
“That’s not going to happen.” He walked her to the study. “I recommend you make yourself at home.”
She strolled into the familiar, welcoming room. When he didn’t follow, she asked, “Aren’t you going to join me?”
“In a moment. I’ll fetch you something hot to drink from the kitchen first. Something tells me you’re not up for any more brandy.”
She grimaced at the thought. She waited for the sound of his footsteps to fade before moving to his desk. If she had to stay, she may as well use her time to best advantage.
The computer enticed, but she resisted. She had mere minutes. Trying the drawers, she silently opened each and discovered nothing but pencils, stationery, and sundry forms and statements…until she came to the last one. The deep file drawer to the right of the chair refused her entry.
From the long center drawer, she collected two large paperclips and uncurled them. With practiced ease, she worked them into the top and bottom of the lock, bending and crimping as needed until they wiggled into place.
Footsteps slapped on the marble of the hallway floor. She went still.
Leaping upright, Jaeda turned to stare out the window directly behind the desk. Damn it! She’d have to get the paperclips out of the lock later. With hardly a movement, she slid her palm-sized flip-phone from her coat's hidden pocket.
“Here we are,” said Teague. “How does it look out there?”
Removing her trench coat, she faced him and slung it over the desk chair. She offered him a bright smile and joined him before the fire. “Worse, as if that was possible. If it doesn’t let up soon, we could be snowed in for the weekend.”
He extended his hand toward the couch, indicating he wanted her to sit. “Would that be a bad thing?”
Yes. “No. I suppose not.”
“What with the more thing and all.” He handed her a steaming mug.
Grateful for the heat of the cup and the fire in the fireplace, she eased onto the sofa and settled. “Exactly. The more thing.” The aroma of sweet chocolate and cream filled her nostrils, and she took a sip. “Delicious.”
“The hot cocoa or me?”
“Both,” she said with a smirk.
“I’m actually glad you’re back. I didn’t like the way you left – feeling as you did. Had I known you’d react so badly to the brandy, I’d have never given it to you.”
“Don’t worry about it. I didn’t know, either. I’m not really a drinker to begin with, and I’ve never had more than a sip of brandy. So you see? Even I didn’t know I’d get so tipsy.” With the storm raging outside and the house quiet, the only threat remaining now sat at her side. Teague hardly gave her cause to wear stabbing gear on her feet. Slipping off her shoes, she sighed and wiggled her toes at the flames.
“I’ll be sure to remember it. I rather liked you slightly intoxicated, if you want to hear the truth. You’re really quite funny. And extremely earnest. It was the most you’d talked of yourself all night.”
“I hardly remember what I said.”
“Nothing of great import, really. But I enjoyed it, nonetheless. I think you hide your true personality under this calm exterior, but I got a glimpse of it and I like it very much.” He moved curls from her cheek and tucked them behind her
ear while a tender smile played about his lips.
His expression created a miniscule tingling under her bellybutton. “Tell me more,” she said
He chuckled. “You were extremely gracious to Caster after he explained. I could tell by the look on your face that you weren’t thrilled to be back.”
Jaeda shrugged. “He didn’t do anything wrong. What kind of person would I be if I faulted him for thinking of my safety?”
“You’d be surprised. I’m sad to say I associate with people who would do just that. They don’t like it when they can’t have their way.”
“Hmm. Shows a lack of character, don’t you think?” She took a large swallow of the cooling cocoa and set it on the table nearest her end of the couch.
“I do. And I also believe you’ve shown a strength of character tonight. It makes me want all the more to know you better.” He slid off the sofa to the oriental rug. “Come down here where we can be closer to the fire.” He chose a large log from a stack on the hearth and squatted while adding it to the flames.
Taking advantage of his turned back, she slipped her phone under the rubber grip of one of her thigh-highs. Holding the hem of her skirt to her knees, she scooted to the edge of the leather cushion then lowered to the floor. The rug’s fibers felt softer than she expected. Skimming a palm across the pile, she let the fire’s warmth wash over her.
“Feel better?” he asked.
“Mm-hmm.” She had to contact the agency to let them know her location and situation. “Is there a bathroom I could use?”
“Across the hall,” he said, resting his head against the sofa’s seat cushion.
Leaving her shoes in the study, she padded to the hall and closed the door behind her. In the bathroom, she opened her phone. No bars. In case of a chance, she auto-dialed the hotline anyway, but the call didn't complete. Damn.
She checked her face in the mirror and groaned. Black smudged under her eyes, and a clump of hair bunched on the side of her head. She must have slept harder in the car than she realized. And Teague hadn’t said anything or indicated in any way that she looked less than presentable.
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