Undercover Wife

by Debra Webb

  She moaned louder. Her hands went to his shoulders, pushing him away, but he would not relent. He took one pebbled peak into his mouth and suckled it. She cried out, her fingers clutching now rather than repelling.

  He teased her firm nipples, tugged and suckled each until she writhed beneath him, then he moved lower. He kissed his way down her rib cage, dipped his tongue into her belly button.

  “Oh, Logan!” Her hips undulated, reaching for him, for the relief she sought. Her eyes were clenched tightly shut. Her face a study in fierce concentration.

  He lifted her hips and nuzzled her mound. She screamed, arching against him. He thrust his tongue inside, tasted her, withdrew, then suckled until she screamed again. He plunged with his tongue, with his fingers, tasted, teased, sucked until her feminine muscles clenched and the spasms of release began. Her body stiffened, then went limp as one final cry of ecstasy trembled past her lips.

  His heart thundered in his chest, his body was taut, on the edge. He wanted to thrust into her so badly he groaned savagely with restraint. His closest encounter with death had not caused him more pain than this! He panted with the effort of calming his body. Every muscle throbbed, wanting, needing. His fingers fisted in the covers as he pushed himself fully away from her sweet body.

  Cool fingers suddenly encircled him…he gasped, his eyes closing with the unbearable pleasure of it. She moved, tugged at the flesh of his painfully erect sex. Another savage roar tore from his throat. He wanted to resist her ministrations, but he couldn’t. He needed this too much. His entire body tautened to the point of snapping.

  Her movements, at first gentle, then growing desperate, she quickly brought him to release. His body arched upward, he uttered a sound that was more growl than groan as she pumped the last remnants of completion from him.

  The unexpected satiation only made him feel more desperate, but he forced himself to relax fully into the thick covers. Their ragged breathing was the only sound in the room. The scent of sex cloaked them, held them in a fragile spell. He wanted to say something—to somehow make it…less crude than it had been. But there was nothing to say. It had all been an act of desperation…for Esteban’s ears. They were only helpless players, trying to stay alive.

  She rolled away from him, shattering the moment, and rushed to the bathroom, closing the door behind her. Logan closed his eyes and for the first time in his career hated himself…hated what he did.

  But he had no choice.

  She had no choice.

  Chapter Nine

  Saturday morning brought a whole new onslaught of concerns and worries for Erin. She supposed that she should be thankful that she had survived five days and nights as Esteban’s guest. Somehow, she wasn’t.

  Erin dropped onto the foot of the bed, drew up one leg and tied her sneaker. Let’s see, she’d been physically assaulted by an overenthusiastic guard, she’d survived two up-close encounters with Sheila, who seemed to have it in for her for no real reason, Esteban made her increasingly nervous for more reasons than one…

  And she’d had almost-sex with Logan.

  She rested her head on her knee and sighed.

  What a fool she was.

  She blew out another breath as she dropped her foot to the floor, lifted the other and tied the remaining sneaker. It wouldn’t have been nearly so bad if she hadn’t acted like a sex-starved nympho at his first touch. God, she’d survived a crash course in Spy 101 and Remedial Weaponry, but she was pretty sure her heart would never survive Advanced John Logan.

  When she’d awakened this morning she’d been immensely grateful that Logan was gone already. She wasn’t sure she could face him anytime soon. Maybe not even in this lifetime.

  They didn’t have another job until Monday. Maybe she could find a way to avoid him the entire weekend. Maria might be interested in giving her another tour of the garden. Or maybe she and Sheila could exchange recipes.

  Yeah, right.

  The only thing Sheila wanted from Erin was possibly a couple of vital organs, starting with her heart or maybe a lung.

  She supposed she could always join the guards in one of their card games. They were all afraid of her now that she was Esteban’s newest pet. She stood and combed her fingers through her hair. At least all that ogling she endured from him paid off.

  Maria sounded like the best bet for a few hours of distraction. Erin headed for the door. Maybe she’d take up gardening herself if she ever got back home.

  Home. Atlanta felt a million miles away right now. Too far away to even think about.

  The door opened just as she reached it.

  Logan.

  She clamped down on her lower lip to hold back the curse that rushed to the tip of her tongue. Dammit, why hadn’t she moved a little faster? Then she could have avoided this seriously awkward confrontation.

  And why did he have to look so damned good? Her greedy gaze perused his body in one continuous sweep. Snug jeans…body-molding, worn-thin cotton shirt with the top two buttons opened. She swallowed hard. As if the masculine frame wasn’t enough to completely disarm a woman, there was that gorgeous face. She wasn’t even going into the eyes, the hair or the perfect cut of his nose and that marvelously chiseled jaw.

  “Grab your purse,” he said nonchalantly, as if she hadn’t just sized him up like the best cut of beef in the market. “We’re taking a little trip into town.”

  She shrugged her shoulders and displayed her palms in the universal gesture of confusion.

  He touched one finger to his lips, then said, “I thought it was time I took my Baby shopping for a new dress. Especially since there’s going to be a party tomorrow evening.”

  She looked surprised. “A party? That’s…great!” She backed toward the table where her purse lay. “Wow! What a treat.” She slung her purse over her shoulder. “It’s been weeks since you took me shopping. I can’t wait. And a party!”

  Glowering, he sliced a hand through the air letting her know that was enough.

  She glared right back. How did she know when enough was enough? All this cloak-and-dagger crap was new to her.

  Wow…she slowed as she started back toward the door. A revelation struck her like a bolt of unexpected summer lightning. She was a true-to-life spy.

  Wasn’t that something?

  She frowned at her spy partner as she sidled past him and out the door. Wasn’t this fun? Just like a Mission Impossible flick.

  SHE WAS STILL ANGRY with him about yesterday.

  Logan blew out a disgusted breath and trailed after Erin.

  He swore. When the hell had he started thinking of her as Erin? Right before he’d made her come for the first time, he admitted ruefully.

  Medellín was a busy place on Saturday, he noted, trying his level best to keep his attention off the swaying derriere in front of him. He was glad for the reprieve. The tension was getting to both of them. A little time away from work would do them good. Besides, they needed to talk and doing it in the shower wasn’t going to work anymore. When he stood beneath that hot spray now all he could think about was how it felt to touch Erin…to taste her.

  “Logan.”

  He stopped just short of running right into her. “What?” he demanded, dragging his attention back to the present.

  “How much money did you say you had?”

  He rolled his eyes, not that she could see since he was wearing dark glasses. “Enough.”

  She smiled and shoved the two bags she carried already at him. “Good. I’m sure I’ll find a few more things I need.”

  Now how the hell was he supposed to be ready to protect her life if his hands were full of frigging shopping bags?

  A long, slow whistle jerked his attention forward. A guy leaning against the wall up ahead was eyeing Erin—Bailey, dammit.

  Despite the dark glasses and the baseball cap with its concealing brim pulled down low over his face, Logan recognized him.

  Ferrelli. His guardian angel.

  Bailey turned and gifted
Ferrelli with a wide, flirty smile.

  “Oh, honey, make my day,” Ferrelli offered in that exaggerated Italian accent he only used when he really needed it or wanted to impress the ladies.

  “Sorry, buddy,” Bailey said as she kept right on walking. She hitched a thumb over her shoulder. “I already have a sugar daddy.”

  Logan steamed when he noted the extra inspiration in her walk. For Ferrelli’s benefit no doubt. He wondered what she’d think when she found out she’d just flirted with their only contact between here and a safe zone.

  Catching up to her, Logan passed the shopping bag in his right hand to his left and slung his arm around her shoulders. “How about some lunch, Baby?”

  She lifted a finely arched eyebrow above her own designer shades. “Only if you promise to take me to that clothing boutique over there before we leave town.”

  He glanced in the direction she indicated and groaned. Only the ritziest place in the whole city. He bared his teeth in a feral smile. “Sure, Baby, anything you want.”

  To her obvious consternation, he picked the restaurant and ordered for both of them. They ate slowly, relishing the cuisine, speaking only occasionally.

  He’d watched her all morning. She’d been so animated. He’d never seen her like that. She loved the colors, the textures of the fabrics, everything. Her Spanish was pretty good. The way she moved was—he caught himself before he sighed—amazing. She’d proven to be a pretty amazing woman all the way around. He wondered if she realized just how amazing she really was.

  “You’re not eating,” she noted, wading into his reverie.

  “I’m thinking,” he said honestly. About you, he didn’t add.

  “Ooow, that’s scary,” she teased before taking a long drink of her white wine.

  Yeah, he agreed silently, it is. This woman was so far under his skin that it was definitely scary.

  It was crazy, that’s what it was. They had nothing in common. As soon as this mission was over, assuming they survived it, she’d be out of his life. And even if by some strange stroke of fate they made a mutual decision to see where this thing between them went, well that would be over just as soon as she realized the truth.

  Lucas or Casey, or maybe both, had set her up. They’d set things in motion, the prison guard, the inmate, to make her more receptive to their offer if they ever needed her particular skills. And they had the evidence to clear her.

  She would hold that against Logan if she learned the truth. And this thing between them couldn’t go any further without complete honesty. He wouldn’t allow it.

  She would have to know and that would be the end of it.

  He looked away from her. Why did that idea suddenly seem like the worst thing that could happen in his life? He’d been in dozens of relationships in the past, always intense, but brief. But there was something different this time. Something he couldn’t put his finger on. Maybe her vulnerability made him more protective of her. Whatever it was, it was powerful. He’d have to watch his step here or he’d be in over his head.

  Noting that Erin was about to devour the last bite of her dessert, Logan took the napkin from beneath his drink and scribbled the list of names on it. This might be the only opportunity he’d have to get the intelligence to Lucas. Mission Recovery needed to know where the stolen weapons were going. Logan wadded the napkin and placed it next to his glass.

  “Finished?” he asked Erin.

  She nodded. “Stuffed.” She closed her eyes and moaned with satisfaction as she swallowed the last sip of the expensive wine. “Thank you,” she purred.

  Logan’s mouth went instantly dry when she licked her lips slowly, seductively. Other parts of him reacted as well.

  He dropped some cash onto the table, pushed to his feet, then stepped around to pull out her chair. “I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

  “If I’m going to need a dress, does that mean you’ll need a suit?”

  He ignored her question even though she was right. Esteban wanted all his people looking good tomorrow night for his impromptu shindig.

  Near the double entry doors, Logan paused as if searching for something in his pockets. He watched as the waitress cleared their table. As she passed Ferrelli, sitting two tables over, he snagged her wrist and spoke to her. When she leaned closer to answer him, he retrieved the wadded napkin from the tray she carried without missing a beat.

  Satisfied, Logan opened the door for Erin and ushered her out onto the crowded street. The list would be in Lucas’s possession within the hour. Now if Erin could just get into Esteban’s private office and shake down his personal computer. It was the only hope for nailing the bastard since Esteban never personally conducted any of the business transactions himself. And no one they’d caught dared to rat on him. Not even one telephone call or electronic transmission had ever connected Esteban to his illegal trade. Erin was their only hope of nailing him and his contact.

  Logan had a bad feeling that accomplishing that feat was going to carry a higher price tag than Erin would want to pay…than he would want her to pay.

  Just another warning that this thing between them had gotten out of hand.

  Time to take a step back.

  NO SOONER had they returned to the estate, than Logan was whisked away by Watters and the still depressed Caldarone brothers. Both looked as if they’d been on a three-day drinking binge. Erin decided to pay that visit to Maria now. Sitting around their quarters or lounging on the terrace with Sheila held no appeal whatsoever.

  And she had to do something to keep her mind off Logan.

  Maybe she’d get lucky and the men folk would disappear for a few hours and then she could have the run of the house.

  Yeah, right, like that was going to happen.

  Erin waltzed into the big old hacienda as if she owned the place. And why not? She knew her way around the parlor and dining room. Had even been to the briefing room just down the hall. All she had to do was ask one of the guards hanging around inside where she might find Maria.

  Well, what do you know? The guy, Manuel, who owed her a favor was stationed right where the long entry hall forked into the east and west wings of the downstairs portion of the massive house.

  “Hola,” she ventured.

  Manuel studied her for a moment, then muttered, “Hola.”

  “I’m looking for, Maria.” She tucked her fingers into the back pockets of her jeans. “I wanted to talk to her about her flowers.”

  “She is not here.”

  A frown tugged at Erin’s forehead. “Oh.” That was odd. Maria talked as if she rarely left the place. “Gracias.”

  Manuel grunted something inaudible.

  Erin wheeled around and trudged away. Now what did she do? Why didn’t Maria tell her this morning that she was going somewhere? Erin shook off the weird feeling she had about the whole Maria thing. The woman may have simply gone into town. It wasn’t like he’d said she was out of the country.

  Maybe she’d track down Logan and the others. They had to be around here somewhere.

  “And to what do I owe the pleasure of your lovely company?”

  Esteban.

  A shiver raced up Erin’s spine.

  Reluctance slowing her, she turned to face him. “I was looking for Maria.” She essayed a wide smile.

  Esteban closed the distance between them. “Maria is away for the weekend.” He set his tumbler of liquor aside on a nearby table. “But I am here. What can I do for you?” He moved in so close that Erin battled the urge to run. “I am quite certain you will approve of my readiness to please.”

  Commanding herself not to tremble, she moistened her lips. “No doubt. But I’m sure Logan will be looking for me by now.” Why was she coming up with excuses? This was her chance.

  But she wasn’t ready for that chance. She knew it the moment she stared into those black eyes. There was a good possibility that she would never be ready to be in a room alone with Pablo Esteban.

  “Have a drink with me, my dear,” h
e urged. “Logan and the others are away on a very important errand.”

  She drummed up a disappointed frown. “Without me? Why wasn’t I told?”

  Esteban smiled suggestively. “There was no need and someone had to stay behind to entertain me.” He took her arm and folded it over his own. “Come. Amuse me.”

  Erin didn’t miss the wary look on Manuel’s face as Esteban escorted her up the grand staircase into forbidden territory…his private quarters. And there was no one nearby to come to her rescue.

  She was on her own.

  The hope of getting the information they needed warred with the concern for her own safety. She had to try. Her freedom depended upon it. And Logan had said that the longer they stayed here the greater the likelihood of a breach in their cover.

  Cortez waited outside Esteban’s private suite. Esteban gave him an order that Erin didn’t quite understand. Something about surveying something or other. Whatever it was, the man who usually shadowed Esteban’s every move disappeared, sending a fresh wave of anxiety through her.

  Erin postponed the arrival at Esteban’s intended destination by insisting on admiring his Monet once more. He rushed through the answers to her questions. Her heart thumped harder with each passing moment. She’d had six days of training. She was undercover. A spy. She had to do this.

  Stay calm, she ordered.

  Pay attention to the details.

  In Esteban’s private parlor, he poured her a finger of brandy. Not much of a drinker, but needing the courage, she downed it in one swallow.

  “Another?” He gestured to the decanter.

  She nodded, unable to speak as the liquor burned its way down her throat. She’d sip this one, she promised herself.

  Details, she reminded herself. Bookcases, books, more artwork, a picturesque view and fine furnishings. No computer. Not even a desk. Like the rest of the house, the room was a pleasure to the eyes, but, she hoped this would not all be for nothing.