Fool Me Once

by Mona Ingram

  “Here you are, guv.”

  Josh looked up, surprised to find himself at the distinctive entrance to the hotel. He paid the driver, and was heading for the lobby when he stopped abruptly. Across the street, Hyde Park beckoned, and he walked swiftly to the underpass, almost holding his breath until he burst back out into the sunshine.

  His steps slowed and he inhaled deeply, marveling at the normal activities going on around him. He removed his jacket, loosened his tie and sat down under a tree, draping his arms over bent knees.

  He missed his ranch. This patch of green was no substitute, but it would have to do for now. The meeting at IATO headquarters had been difficult for him. Everyone in the room knew why he’d come out of retirement for this mission, and yet no one had brought up the painful subject. He’d appreciated that, but now he needed to let his thoughts roam freely…to grab hold of his simmering anger and use it to his advantage. A band of sorrow tightened around his heart as he recalled the day two and a half years ago that was to change his life. He still blamed himself for not being more forceful. His thoughts drifted back in time and he could smell the sweet, clean air of Montana and feel the warmth of the sun on his face.

  * * *

  The cattle kicked up a cloud of dust, softening the brassy sun of the late September afternoon. Bunched together at the entrance to the corral, they were the result of a hard day’s work. Tired but satisfied, Josh watched them stream by, and then closed the gate. This was his favorite season, and he gave silent thanks for another successful year. He turned to see Zach striding across the yard, a broad smile on his face.

  “What’s up, little brother?” he’d said, removing his gloves and slapping them against his legs. “Did you get your results?” The final year of medical school had been tough, but Josh had no doubt that Zach would be near the top of his class as usual.

  “Not for another week.” Zach’s steps slowed and his confidence seemed to waver for a moment but then the smile returned. He waved an envelope in the air. “I’ve decided to do some volunteer work for a couple of years. I’m joining Doctors Without Borders.”

  Josh’s world seemed to tilt. “No,” he said quietly. “You can’t do that.”

  “Sure I can.” Zach brimmed with self-assurance. “They need medics right now. It will be great experience.”

  “But Zach.” His thoughts whirled, tumbling over each other like water in a mountain stream. “Doctors Without Borders operates overseas. You could be sent into some dangerous territory.”

  “Yeah. Isn’t that great? The letter says that after indoctrination, there’s a good chance I’ll get sent to Afghanistan.”

  * * *

  Back in the present, Josh closed his eyes, much as he had done that day. He’d known firsthand the constant danger facing any foreigner who entered Afghanistan. Whether peacekeeper or combatant, they were all potential targets and Josh repeatedly pointed this out to his brother, pleading with him to reconsider. But his words had fallen on deaf ears. Like so many young men, Zach had believed himself to be immortal. “I’ll be fine,” he’d said repeatedly. “You’re worrying about nothing.” And then Josh’s worst fears had been realized.

  Zach’s convoy of three vehicles had been attacked with RPGs northeast of Bagram, en route to aid civilians caught in a fierce battle between opposing factions. Armed men executed the seven foreigners in the group before looting the medical supplies and stripping the vehicle of every conceivable useful part. The shaken Afghans who were spared reported later that their attackers were Taliban.

  In his grief, Josh had done an interview with a network reporter. He’d spoken passionately and openly, pointing to the sale of illegal arms to terrorist organizations as being largely responsible for the death of his brother.

  In London, Colin Chisholm, head of IATO’s British operation, watched the interview with growing interest, knowing instinctively that he had found his man. Ever patient, he had been looking for someone like Josh for several months. One glance at the American’s record convinced him that he was perfect for the job. Serving with the elite American Special Forces, Josh Morgan’s background revealed a wide range of qualifications, not the least of which was a ruthlessness that would be needed for the current mission. The operation, while outwardly nebulous, had an excellent chance of succeeding. The perfect counterpart, Olivia MacMillan had proven herself to be intelligent and spirited. As he put the plan in motion, he found himself envying Josh Morgan.

  * * *

  Josh massaged the back of his neck, trying to relieve the tension. Today’s meeting had awakened the agony he’d felt at the death of his brother. For many long painful months he’d blamed himself for Zach’s death. He looked out over the sparkling water of the Serpentine, and his throat closed up as memories of his brother floated tantalizingly in his mind’s eye. Zach at eleven, riding beside him during the fall round-up. Zach at fourteen, his face blotched with tears at the funeral of their parents. Zach at eighteen, fidgeting uncomfortably in the new suit for his graduation dance. But the image that caused the most pain was the photograph that remained tucked away in a drawer of his desk back in Montana. Zach, arms draped around his fellow medics, smiling into the camera with the mountains of northern Afghanistan rising in the distance. Arriving in Zach’s last letter, two weeks after his death, Josh hadn’t been able to look at it for months. The moments of despair were coming less frequently now, but he still blamed himself for his brother’s death. The sorrow would never completely go away. He knew that, and dealt with it in the best way he knew how…alone.

  The letters of condolence that eventually made their way to him in Montana were largely responsible for easing his feelings of guilt. Zach’s co-workers spoke of his passion for what he was doing; his belief that he was making a difference. Now when the pain of his loss threatened to overwhelm him once more he would re-read the letters, finding peace in the kind words.

  Josh harbored no illusions about the current mission. Destroying one arms dealer would not stop the flood of illegal arms, but it was a start. People would live because of what he was about to do. That in itself was a victory. He picked up his jacket and headed back toward the hotel.

  He needed a drink. He sauntered into the bar, attracting admiring glances from several female patrons.

  Seated comfortably with his back against the banquette he gazed around the room. Two tables away a woman seated alone crossed her legs, an alluring smile on her lips. The invitation was clear and he studied her appraisingly. She was lovely. He wavered, knowing that her skin would be smooth and pliant under his hands. For a few moments, the pleasure of a woman’s body would drive away the memories that had been stirred up by this afternoon’s meeting. She smiled as though reading his thoughts, but he didn’t respond.

  He looked away and suppressed a smile. It was all Olivia’s fault. He’d only spent two, maybe three hours in her presence, but for the past several days, in those quiet moments when he was by himself, she filled his thoughts. The texture of her hair, her incredibly long legs, the way she sat a horse. But most of all he remembered her eyes. Green, the color of a deep mountain lake, they were flecked with shards of rich, golden brown. Flashing with indignation or gazing at him with cool disdain, he looked forward to seeing them again.

  Of course that meant he’d have to resume his ‘bad boy’ role. He sipped his drink, lost in thought. When he’d confidently informed Colin that he could convince Olivia to accompany him, he hadn’t had the foggiest idea how he’d accomplish that. But once he’d gone to visit Alex, everything fell neatly into place. He knew from his research that Olivia MacMillan was a gifted writer and he’d studied the photo that accompanied her articles. What he’d seen was a woman who looked boldly into the lens of the camera, her expression coolly confident. But when he met her in person, he’d been unprepared for the instant attraction that crackled between them. WorldView’s decision to give Olivia a much-needed vacation was perfectly timed. That fact, coupled with the knowledge that her friend
Justine had recently decided to marry had determined his approach. Olivia was ‘due’ for some excitement of her own, and he unwillingly slipped into his bad boy persona, confident that she would be intrigued.

  He’d almost blown it, but it had worked. He didn’t like deceiving her, but for the sake of the mission it was necessary. He finished his drink and left the bar.

  * * *

  “Message for you, sir.” The desk clerk handed him a discreetly folded slip of paper. ‘Arriving tomorrow around six. Can’t wait. Olivia.’ His step was light as he headed toward the elevator. It must be because he was looking forward to some payback. It couldn’t be because he’d be seeing her tomorrow. No, of course not.

  * * *

  Once on the train, Olivia settled into a seat by the window, grateful that the coach wasn’t crowded. The businessman across from her snapped his newspaper importantly, and she was relieved when he buried his face behind it. As the train gained momentum, her heart began pounding faster. The trip into London wouldn’t take long, and she needed every minute to prepare herself to meet Josh again.

  The past two days had been agony. Oh, she’d enjoyed Justine’s company…she always did, but it had been difficult keeping her mind on the conversation. It was a good thing her friend wasn’t a mind reader. Olivia stared out the window without seeing the scenery. For the past two days, her thoughts had never been far from Josh. Had he thought of her? Even a little? She forced herself to focus on the gently rolling hills in the distance. She had to stop thinking like this and start regarding him as potential subject matter. After all, he was everything she didn’t want in a man. Cocky, self-confident, and decidedly dangerous. A shiver of anticipation rippled over her skin and she sat up straight, startled at the direction of her thoughts. If simply thinking about him brought this kind of response, how would she react when she was with him constantly? She’d find out soon enough.

  * * *

  Josh studied the indicator board as passengers swirled around him, heading for the trains. He wandered toward the gate as the train came to a stop and the doors opened, spilling passengers onto the platform.

  Olivia was one of the last passengers to exit, her self-assured walk making her stand out from the rest of the crowd. He raised a hand and then lowered it, taking a moment to appreciate her inimitable style. Walking through a shaft of sunlight, her short coppery hair gleamed like a beacon and his fingers tensed. A snug black velvet jacket ended at her waist, and her legs seemed to go on forever in supple black leather trousers and black boots. In striking contrast to the rest of her outfit, a softly ruffled white blouse peeked out of the neck of the jacket. She strode toward the exit, black leather bag containing her laptop over her shoulder.

  * * *

  Olivia made her way through the swirling crowds, then suddenly stilled. There was Josh, leaning casually against the corner of the W.H. Smith kiosk. Their eyes locked, and the other travelers ceased to exist. What was he doing here? She wasn’t ready for him yet.

  “Hello Darlin’.” He slipped an arm around her waist, catching her off balance. His eyes sparkled, and she sensed desire in their depths, mingled with amusement. Lowering his lips, he kissed her with an ardor that caused several people to stop and stare. Pressing her palms against his chest, she started to push him away, then remembering that this was for show, she relaxed against him, molding her body to his. His kiss was fierce, hot, and she wanted more. She opened her eyes to see him studying her through dark lashes.

  She pulled back and slipped her arm possessively through his. “It was sweet of you to meet me,” she said, as they made their way toward the exit. “I’ve missed you.” That much was true.

  A limousine with tinted windows awaited them at the curb. “Good evening, Miss MacMillan.” The driver nodded as he reached for the door handle.

  Olivia sank back in the soft leather seat. Josh filled the space beside her, his broad shoulders impossible to disguise, even under the beautifully tailored jacket. He turned to her, a roguish smile playing across his lips and lighting his eyes. “I could make a career out of meeting you in train stations. Especially if you promise to kiss me like that every time.”

  “Don’t count on it.” A small smile contradicted her tart response.

  He placed his hand over his heart. “I’m crushed. And here I thought you’d been lusting after my body.”

  Olivia wondered how her knees could feel weak when she was sitting down. But they did. Even in the depths of the limousine, his eyes were mesmerizing.

  She tore her gaze away and looked out the window, searching for some familiar object as they sped through the streets. Something to bring her back to reality.

  “Oh look,” she murmured. “There’s Marble Arch.”

  “Good Lord, what have I been thinking!” Josh slipped his hand into his jacket pocket, extracting a tiny velvet bag. “See what you do to me?” he said good-naturedly. “A few moments with you and I forget all about business.”

  He untied the gold cord and tipped an exquisite ring into the palm of his hand. “I hope you like it,” he said, eyes sparkling. “It’s platinum.”

  IATO’s budget had been woefully inadequate for the style of ring he needed. Colin had looked at him oddly when he’d stated that he intended to pay for the ring himself. He wouldn’t consider asking Olivia to wear anything less.

  “Here, let’s see if it fits.” He bowed his head over her hand, slipping the ring onto her finger.

  A sudden pang of longing caught Olivia by surprise. Josh Morgan was an entirely new breed of animal. He was different from any man she had ever been involved with. What would life be like with him? In her fantasies, there would be exotic holidays on a secluded Caribbean island. There would be lazy mornings spent in bed, exploring each other’s bodies. There would be long rides on his ranch, checking on cattle and drinking in the beauty of rugged mountains against the clear blue Montana sky. There would be quiet evenings before a massive stone fireplace, anticipation building deliciously, knowing that they would open the curtains in their bedroom and make love below the dazzling stars. But that was fantasy. This was reality. And with reality came ‘The Rules’.

  She glanced down at the ring. “My goodness, it’s beautiful,” she said, holding up her hand to catch the light. “Is it real?”

  Josh bristled. “Of course it’s real. I can’t take you to Monte Carlo with a fake diamond.”

  The square-cut white diamond was breathtaking in its simplicity.

  “I’m sorry,” she said quickly. “But you surprised me. It’s exactly what I would have chosen myself.” She glanced at him from under lowered lashes. “You really are an interesting man,” she said slowly. “Over-confident, infuriating, and far too cheeky for your own good. But also interesting.”

  “Why, thank you ma’am.” The limousine pulled into the porte cochere of the Dorchester and he picked up her hand, bringing it to his mouth for a fleeting kiss. The doorman approached, and Josh shot her a saucy smile. “I have a feeling we’re going to have fun” he whispered. “Are you ready?”

  Olivia was aware of a change in Josh’s body language the moment they stepped from the limousine. The loose-jointed, slick-talking man disappeared. She doubted that anyone else would have noticed the difference, but she’d relived every moment of their time together, replayed every movement, analyzed every word of their conversations. She may not know what was in his heart, but her interview skills made her a keen observer when it came to gestures, mannerisms, and facial expressions.

  The heart-stopping smile was still in place, and he greeted the staff by name with that typical American familiarity that was somewhat unsettling to the British. But there was something else. The set of his shoulders was marginally tighter. His eyes missed nothing. He escorted her into the lobby, one hand resting lightly on the small of her back. He was definitely a man in charge, and she liked it. As she noted the subtle changes she reminded herself that she really didn’t know him at all.

  “Would you like
a drink, Darling, or would you like to head up to the suite?” His gaze moved to the lobby entrance, where a raucous group had just arrived, then returned to her face. This, she told herself, was a new Josh.

  “Let’s have a drink in the room. I think I’d be more comfortable.” She slipped her hand through his arm and gazed up at him adoringly. This part of the charade wasn’t difficult; he really was one of the most handsome men she had ever laid eyes on. Admiring glances followed them as they crossed to the elevator.

  “We’re in a two-bedroom suite,” he announced, pushing the door open ahead of her. “I’ve had your bags placed in the bedroom on the left.”

  Olivia tilted her head in acknowledgement. She wandered over to the window in the sitting room and pulled back the sheer curtain with one finger, observing the traffic as it sped along Park Lane.

  Josh appeared beside her, holding out a glass of champagne. “Here you are, Darlin’.” He’d slipped back into the more familiar persona.

  “You don’t have to call me Darling when we’re alone.” She held his eyes over the rim of the glass.

  “Just trying to stay in character.”

  There was that pang of disappointment again. She glanced back out the window. Why did he have to remind her that he was play-acting? She sipped the wine, scolding herself for such foolish thoughts. He’d made it abundantly clear that this was a job, that there was no chance he’d fall in love with her. She knew that, so why was she allowing herself to dream these foolish dreams, to look past his glib words for a deeper meaning?

  Why indeed? She studied him openly. He exuded a manly confidence that didn’t have anything to do with his size…impressive as that might be. No, it was much more than that. He moved with the lithe grace of a jungle cat. Alert and dangerous at the same time. It was a dizzying, beguiling combination.