Abstract Aliases (A Bodies of Art Mystery Book 3)
Page 26
I laughed. “I’d say not. There is one more thing I do want to know.”
“Just one?”
I grinned. “When we went to Le Puy and you left me in the hotel. You said you were going to Geneva, but there’s no way you made the trip and back before I saw you again. Why did you lie? Or why not tell a better one?”
“My god, you’re still thinking about that?” He laughed.
“It bugged me.” I slapped his shoulder.
He winced, but it was only for show. I knew how to bring pain if I really wanted.
“Well?”
“I did go to see Geneva. An operative who goes by the name Geneva.”
“You lied to bug me.”
“I obfuscated.”
“You lied.” I waited a beat then said, “What does she look like?”
He grinned. “You know I got to the church in Le Puy ahead of you. What do you think?”
“Okay. Good answer.”
The wind rose, and a thick dark lock flipped onto his forehead. I used fingers to comb it back. He smiled.
“So,” he continued, “I’m relatively trustworthy, as long as you remind me—which I am positive you’ll do. My life is basically jumping from one mess to another, all in the service of my country. As I mentioned yesterday on the plane. It was yesterday, right?”
I nodded. “And you jump into messes in the service of a certain impulsive blonde when she does things you tell her not to do.”
“I wasn’t going to say it, but now you have—”
I cut him off. “You think I’m a mess, huh?”
“You misunderstood—”
“No, I didn’t. You said you jump from one mess to another. Since you’ve told me this when I said it was the only way I would consider—”
“Does that mean you’re considering?”
I stopped dancing and wrapped my arms around his neck, locking my gaze with his. I saw how much darker his teal eyes were than normal. “Quite frankly, I can’t imagine two people less suited for each other than we are. We get into absolutely fatal predicaments together, and—”
His eyes widened. “The only reason we’re both standing here is because the other was there as backup.”
“You didn’t let me finish.” I ran my fingers up the back of his head, and he pulled me closer. My words had a shaky quality, and I knew I’d better get what I wanted to say out quickly. “We may get into messes together, but we can get out of them better than anyone too. The reason we are least suited also makes us best suited.”
“I agree.”
I had to look away for a moment. Stare at the lights on the Eye before I continued. My eyes met his again when I could speak. “We’ve solved the forger murders, found out we don’t have to worry about Simon anymore, figured a way to tap into law enforcement help without showing our hand, and we have a new hypothesis to try to prove or disprove in regard to the full reach of the forgery operation and its leadership. But our to-do list isn’t done yet.”
He lowered his dark brows. “What are you driving at?”
“What I’m saying…is…” I took a deep breath. “I’m considering more of us, with this new segue into trustworthiness on your part. However…we both know I have an impulsive nature. You’ve pointed it out more often than most. Until we at least get this case solved, we need to ask ourselves if even considering this is too impulsive on both of our parts.”
“How would you feel if I said yes?”
Pressure built in my eyes at the thought. “I’m pretty sure I’d be unhappy.”
“What if I said this instead?”
Our lips met and he gave me the kiss we’d both missed on the stroke of midnight at New Year’s. Fireworks exploded the entire time, but we were the only ones who saw the show.
About the Author
Ritter Ames lives atop a high green hill in the country with her husband and Labrador retriever, and spends each day globe-trotting the art world from her laptop with Pandora blasting into her earbuds. Often with the dog snoring at her feet. Much like her Bodies of Art Mysteries, Ritter’s favorite vacations start in London, then spiral out in every direction. She’s been known to plan trips after researching new books, and keeps a list of “can’t miss” foods to taste along the way. Visit her at www.ritterames.com where she blogs about all the crazy things that interest her.
The Bodies of Art Mystery Series
by Ritter Ames
COUNTERFEIT CONSPIRACIES (#1)
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MARKED MASTERS (#2)
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ABSTRACT ALIASES (#3)
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