In moments, right there in the entry, which fortunately was opaque with no glass that anyone could see through, he took her into his arms. His searing kiss left her almost breathless.
But she managed to stop and back away.
“Let’s not go there,” she said. “Things become too difficult.” She looked into his face, ignoring the heat and need in his blue eyes. “Agreed?”
“You’re right—this time,” he responded in a teasing tone.
“I’m always right.” She checked in the room where the building’s mail boxes lined the walls, unlocked hers with a key and pulled out the contents—all advertising flyers.
As it had been since her arrival. No one who might send her anything with meaning other than utility bills knew where she was.
She led Daniel upstairs and unlocked her apartment door. Her first glance inside ended at her convertible sofa. Tonight it would stay a sofa until Daniel left again.
“Come in,” she invited him. “Learn anything interesting today—like at the manufacturing building?”
“Just more suspicions.”
“You need to tell me. Okay if I order in a pizza?”
It was fine, and they negotiated what to order on it. She liked veggies and cheese; he liked pepperoni and sausage. They decided on half-and-half.
She laid her purse down on the floor near the entry to the kitchen and walked inside. “Beer, wine, soda or water?”
“Beer sounds good.”
She got two bottles out of the fridge and opened them, then walked into the main room of the small apartment and handed Daniel his beer. Placing hers on the small oblong table against the wall, she pulled out one of the two chairs and sat, waiting for him to do the same.
When she looked at him again, she blinked. He had taken off those geeky glasses and stuck them in the pocket of his shirt—a black knit one that hugged his muscles now that he wasn’t bent over in lab-tech mode again.
Sexy? Oh, yeah. No matter what she had told him downstairs, she ached to be in those muscular arms again. Maybe without that shirt. No, definitely without it, or his dark trousers. Not that she would let on what she was feeling. She took a long swig of beer.
“So tell me what you learned today,” she said, all business.
Now, if only she could stay that way.
* * *
Daniel was glad she’d asked him that. It gave him better perspective on why he was here—in case he needed the reminder. Which he didn’t.
Being in her apartment again with Beth was just another convenient way for them to coordinate what they were doing and to continue playing their new roles as coworkers who were attracted to one another.
“For one thing, I didn’t get much out of my visit to the production building—but at least I got inside. Did you see anything helpful?”
By the sad expression that passed over her face, the answer he expected was confirmed. “Not really. And I doubt that I’d be able to find anything we can use even if I get back there. Too much going on, and a cleaning-staff member not assigned to work there wouldn’t be able to snoop around much. How about you?”
“Same goes for a lab guy who’s working in the admin building—and I was advised today that there are occasional group meetings for us over there but that otherwise we’re supposed to stay away.”
“It shouldn’t matter,” Beth said. “I really think we can find what we need in the building where we spend most of our time.”
“Agreed. In fact, I had a very short talk with another lab tech as I followed you out to your car that gave me even more optimism about that.”
He started to describe what had—and hadn’t—been said as he’d spoken so briefly with Samantha, but his phone rang.
He pulled it out of his pocket and checked the caller ID.
“Got to take this,” he told Beth. “It’s Judge Treena.” He saw worry flood Beth’s face and smiled reassuringly. “Hi, Judge.”
“Hello, Daniel,” she responded. “How are things in Moravo Beach?”
“Good, but not as productive as I’d like.”
“Well, we’re going to step things up. First of all, we’ve gotten some information from those two physicians that Beth Jones heard talking. They’re not completely cooperative, but they’ve told us enough to get us started looking specifically into the diet medication they mentioned.”
“No kidding.” He put his hand over the phone and told Beth what the judge had said.
She smiled and gave a thumbs-up.
“In fact,” the judge continued, “I’ve convinced the FDA to send the additional inspectors I’d requested. They’re arriving there tomorrow to go over the official records again.”
Daniel snorted. “I’ll bet they won’t get into the unofficial records any more than they did last time.” He glanced at Beth. “You’ll be interested to know that the cavalry arrives tomorrow,” he said softly. At her questioning look he chuckled and added, “The FDA again.”
“Who are you talking to?” Judge Treena barked sharply into his ear.
“Beth Jones. She looks glad about the news about those doctors. She and I are collaborating now even more on our search for what can be used as evidence.”
“Still? It’s a good idea, but...” The judge paused and asked, “Where are you now? Are you somewhere you can talk?”
“We’re fine. We’re at Beth’s place.”
Another pause. “How closely are you working together?” She sounded suspicious.
He didn’t need to explain their new ruse to the judge. Instead, he told her what she already knew. “We’re both after the same thing and we’re collaborating on the best ways to get it, not just comparing notes.”
But he knew what the judge really wanted to learn.
Was it just a business relationship, as it should be?
“And have you made any additional progress by planning that way?”
“It’s still a work in progress.”
“I’ll bet.”
His discussion with the judge continued for another few minutes, and then she asked to speak with Beth, whom she said she had intended to call later.
Taking the phone, Beth listened for a moment, then said, “No, I don’t think I’ve been followed again. And Daniel has been really great in keeping watch on my behalf. Any word yet on who stole that SUV?” Beth listened for a moment and her eyes grew wide. “You’re kidding. No, I know you’re not. That street is only a few blocks from my parents’ house. Did he say—?”
As Daniel watched, he grew angrier, although he wouldn’t let it show. What was going on? And why hadn’t the judge told him?
Beth listened some more, then handed the phone back to him.
“What—?” he began, but Judge Treena interrupted.
“That was next on my list to tell you. The SUV’s been found and impounded. The thief happened to be in it, too, a guy with a lot of car thefts on his record. Name of Billings. He’s not talking, but his happening to have followed Beth in the stolen vehicle, then getting caught in the neighborhood she used to live in... Well, the local cops are still working on it and so are we. Plus, we’ve gotten them to step up their patrols in the neighborhood where the car was found. We’ll let you know if we find anything else.”
“Please do that.” His tone was more irritable than he’d intended, but the judge’s response was in her normal brisk tone.
“Stay in touch, Daniel. I will, with anything I learn, but I especially want to know how things work out with the FDA. And also...”
“Also what, Judge?”
“Be careful about your...collaboration. Got it?”
He did.
“No problem,” he responded. And just in case she needed more, he added, “All is cool.”
* * *
Be
th was even more frightened now for her parents.
At least the thief had been caught, but where he’d been found had surely been no coincidence. She was glad to hear that there was added security in the neighborhood, but was that enough?
This wasn’t a good time, but she would call home soon—and urge her family even more to get out of town.
Beth was also concerned about Judge Treena and what she must be thinking now. At least so far she hadn’t threatened Beth with any repercussions for her disobeying what Her Honor and her crew had ordered her to do for her own safety—stay away from Moravo Beach and particularly Corcoris Pharmaceuticals—and was even going beyond what she had promised to do to help Beth’s family.
But she’d known for a while that Beth was also working with one of the judge’s undercover agents. The CIU had wanted results. When they’d sent Daniel to achieve them, they hadn’t known that anyone else—Beth—was working on them, too.
The judge had undoubtedly believed, at least at first, that Beth could mess things up. Or at least slow things down.
Well, she hadn’t yet and never would. In fact, she needed to make sure progress occurred even faster now. For her family’s sake.
Yet now, as she sat with Daniel at her tiny table eating pizza and trying not to meet his eyes, she couldn’t help worrying about what would come next.
The FDA was sending inspectors again? That could be a good thing. But they all knew well that Corcoris had plans in place to deal with a visit from the regulatory agency.
Even if the examiners got into the reports once more regarding the weight-loss medication that the doctors had criticized when Beth was eavesdropping, what was undoubtedly maintained for federal scrutiny would show that the tests had all gone well and that nothing was wrong. Sure, the FDA’s Office of Testing and Research could conduct its limited inquiry into safety and quality, but would they? Even if they did, what they were given to check could be modified.
And if Corcoris ever learned the reason for the feds’ new visit... Beth shuddered inside. So far, even with the incident with the SUV, her family had only been threatened.
After the FDA conducted its next unscheduled inspection, might her family actually be harmed?
“What are you thinking?”
Beth jumped, startled by Daniel’s voice. “I’m just worrying about my family. I know they’re okay for now, but— Do you think this second visit by the FDA will finally resolve everything?”
“Count on it.” He smiled at her over a half-eaten slice of pizza.
He looked so certain—and so cute as he boyishly dug into his meal again—that she couldn’t help smiling back.
Which might not have been the best idea. Not when, notwithstanding the impression they might give to the world, they had vowed to keep their hands off one another tonight and forever.
Yet what if Daniel was right? What if this time, after what they had learned during their last visit, the FDA inspectors were wise enough to uncover whatever hidden information existed...especially with a little help?
From the man who had discovered some of the records that might not have been available before but were this time, thanks to the “borrowed” password.
Daniel.
And if he was right, and everything was finally resolved starting tomorrow by actual evidence uncovered by the FDA that could even—she hoped—result in arrests, then tonight might be one of the last times Daniel and she would see each other alone for a coordination meeting or anything else.
Would this be the last opportunity she might have to engage in unforgettable sex with Daniel? Could be, for there was no doubt that he would exit her life immediately when his undercover services here were no longer necessary.
She looked away and took another bite of pizza. Those thoughts needed to be squelched. Especially since she realized they could just be an excuse to herself in case she tried to seduce him this night.
And yet when she did move her gaze back to Daniel, she found him regarding her with a heated stare that suggested his mind was heading in the same direction.
Interesting that their thoughts—and bodies—seemed to be in sync. Or was she just hoping...?
“Beth,” Daniel said softly, placing his slice of pizza back on the paper plate on the table in front of him. He stood and held out his arms.
Almost as if mesmerized, Beth did the same thing: food down, body standing, and suddenly she pressed herself tightly against him.
She inhaled slowly at the incredible feel of his hard body, its angles fitting so enticingly against her curves. She tried once more to remember what a bad idea this was. And failed as his head bent toward hers, causing her to raise her lips for the searching and stimulating kiss she anticipated.
She wasn’t disappointed. Nor did she passively accept his embrace. She tried to let her mouth outtease, outsearch his. Her tongue kicked off a game with a rhythm that mimicked what their lower bodies could do.
Would do. Had to. She felt Daniel’s arousal pressed tightly against her center, and her body responded with growing desire.
Her knees weakened, or was that just an instinctive reaction? She yearned to slide to the floor with him while pulling off their clothes.
Daniel put one of his hands between them, caressed her aching breasts. Instead of lowering them where they stood, he began undressing her even as he moved them in a dance of passion toward her small and narrow couch.
Would he convert it? Should she?
He let go of her. Oh, yes, she felt bereft, but she determined the time wouldn’t go to waste. She stripped off the rest of her clothes.
The bed immediately emerged from the sofa under Daniel’s strong and relentless tug. Beth smiled as he turned back and saw that she was naked.
“Beautiful,” he breathed and stepped toward her.
“You need to share the view,” she said softly, and also drew closer, unbuttoning his shirt as he bent and slid off his pants.
Oh, yes. He did share the view. His toned, muscular body was every bit as gorgeous as she recalled. And the way his shaft stretched toward her...
She couldn’t help it. She knelt and took him into her mouth, sucking gently, then releasing his erection just enough to lick its length before he bent and pulled her toward the bed.
It was his turn to touch, then taste her. She moaned as his lips reached her breasts and almost cried out when he licked first one hard nipple, then the other, even as his clever hands played with the lower part of her body, teasing her, then gently pushing one, then two fingers inside in the way she wanted not his hand but his hardness to go.
Instead, he moved off the bed again. She almost cried out until she realized where he was headed: toward the pile of his clothes on the floor.
He had come prepared, and when he tore open the condom and returned to her, she held out her hand.
“Let me,” she whispered.
He did. Moments after he was sheathed, he was inside her, loving her, bringing her to the highest crescendo of need.
When she bucked and cried out in her raging orgasm, he, too, moaned and stilled.
His body soon straightened on top of her. He was heavy, but the weight remained fraught with passion and suggestion.
Which meant that after a short time to rest, they began their lovemaking all over again.
Chapter 16
Daniel stayed the night. Good idea? Maybe not. But it felt so good to wake up now and then and draw Beth’s nude form close to him again.
It led to more lovemaking. And more.
He woke up before her and hit the shower. He’d need to go to his place to change clothes before heading to work. He didn’t want to have to explain wearing the same outfit twice, even though his geek personality there could suggest that he simply forgot what he’d had on yesterday.
&n
bsp; Although if someone really was making assumptions about Beth and him...maybe to maintain their cover, wearing yesterday’s clothes again might be a good thing.
In fact, when a grinning Beth joined him in the shower and their subsequent activities took up a lot of the time he’d have needed to go home, he decided that a change of clothes was unnecessary after all.
* * *
Beth drove separately to work when her bed was once more a sofa and they’d left her apartment.
She refused to let her mind dwell on the reasons that what they had done all night had been a series of mistakes.
Instead, she convinced herself—maybe—that it had been a good diversion, an enjoyable interlude that would be the last time they’d have the opportunity to engage in sex.
They both had to return to reality.
That was exactly what she did after Daniel and she assumed their chosen roles at Corcoris once more in the parking lot and wished each other a good day.
She would wait until later to call her parents, when it wouldn’t be so awkward to do so. Not that she’d have hesitated even in the middle of the night if she’d felt she had to warn them...again.
But even if the danger to them had been increased by the man who’d stolen the SUV and followed her, her family should be okay now—especially since not only had he been caught, but the security patrols in their neighborhood had also been stepped up.
Beth walked into the building, used her ID card at the entry and was met immediately by Mary Cantrera, who was giving assignments for the day to the entire group.
“Glad you’re on time today,” the older woman stated. “Busy day. Word is out there’ll be some unscheduled government inspections conducted this afternoon, so we need to make sure all the lab areas where tests are conducted are spotless.”
Not that Beth had doubted Judge Treena’s warning, but now it appeared that the whole company was aware of the impending FDA visit.
How had that happened? And was it a good thing?
Usually, the feds were concerned with records and reports. This could be overkill to help make the best possible impression.
Covert Attraction Page 17