by Chandra Ryan
She had to fight against the urge to push the oily man away. If he suspected anything, her cover would be blown. And he would notice if she suddenly started objecting to his nearness. “You know me so well.” She winked at him to make him more receptive to what she was about to say. “To be honest, though, I was hoping to mix pleasure with business this time. You know, do a little of the selling instead of just buying.” It was the cover story she’d been using while tracking Elliot, but suddenly she worried it wasn’t enough and that they wouldn’t believe her.
“Always said you were a smart girl,” Vincent said, pulling her tighter against him.
She relaxed a little as he accepted her lie. Time was running out though. Now that she’d found Minshouse, she’d have to signal for the raid soon. If she was going to get any information on Alex, it had to be now. “Is Alex here tonight?”
“Thinking about going into the family line, then?”
“No. I’ve no interest in selling dust.” She fidgeted with her skirt as she talked. “I was actually thinking about selling something more mundane. Starting out small. But sometimes I do have a craving for the stuff. Thought Alex would be the one to talk to about that.”
Elliot took a step toward her as if drawn to her by the thought of a sale. “Sorry, my dear. He’s at the club tonight. But I’m sure we could work something out.”
Her heart fell at the news but she carefully hid the disappointment. With Alex out of her grasp, there was nothing left for her to do but say the words the DEA agents were waiting to hear. “Minshouse.” She smiled sweetly as if considering his offer. “I don’t know. I’ve heard you’re unpatriotic these days.” And there they were. It’d be over soon.
He shrugged dismissively but his smile widened. He was all salesman. “Come now. You show me a poppy field in the US and I’ll buy from it. But there aren’t any. You have to go where the product is.”
“And do business with the locals, right?”
“We all make our deals with the devil. You of all people should know that.” His voice was quickly losing its fake sweetness.
“That is one lesson I’ve learned over the years. Still, I think I’ll shop around a bit more. Heroin isn’t really my scene.” The words sounded crazy to her ears, but she had a part to play.
“Has to be dust?” Elliot’s voice was quiet. “I think I might know someone—” The sentence was interrupted by a ripple of chaos around them.
“Federal agents. Nobody move and put your hands on your head,” cried a man holding a megaphone. She tried to figure out which agent it was, but his body armor made him hard to see against the backdrop of the night. Giving up on identifying him, Izzy scanned the agents who surrounded them as she followed the orders. She hoped to find Jacob, but luck didn’t appear to favor her.
“The bridge is surrounded. We will fire on any who flee,” the agent announced as some of the captives started edging away from the group—Elliot being one of them. Izzy watched the dealer take a step backward and then another. But before he got far enough for her to worry, she heard the gentle click of a handgun being cocked.
“I believe the man said we’d fire on any who flee.” Jacob’s voice was calm and sure as he materialized out of the crowd. “We have some nervous people over here,” he shouted to the other agents. “I could use a hand.”
His gun stayed trained on Elliot’s head until a group of agents made their way over to them. Once they’d secured Elliot, Jacob moved to her.
While she continued to hold her hands above her head, he began a leisurely pat down of her body. His hands moved firmly over the sides of her breasts and then made their way to her hips before starting down her bare legs. She closed her eyes tightly against the sensation but, as her imagination started to take over, she decided it was better to leave them open.
“Hands behind your back.” He gently grabbed her wrists and guided them to the middle of her back. She could feel his breath against her neck as he slowly slid the cuffs around her wrists.
As Jacob led her through the newly arrested, she spotted agents leading Elliot away and the knot of tension in her stomach eased slightly. It would look as if finding Elliot had been nothing more than coincidence—a lucky break for the agency. Which would leave her free to continue in her hunt for Alex.
Still, she made sure they’d cleared the organized chaos before speaking to Jacob. “Thorough search.”
The pad of his thumb caressed her wrist as he chuckled. “You looked dangerous.”
She didn’t miss the reference to their earlier conversation but chose not to comment on it. Instead she stood patiently as he opened the back door to a squad car and then allowed him to guide her into the backseat.
“Comfy?” he asked as he took a step back.
In the back of a police car with her hands cuffed? Never. But there was nothing either of them could do about it right now so it’d be silly for her to complain. After she nodded, he shut the door and then walked around the car so he could slide into the driver’s seat.
She waited until he shut his door before she cleared her throat and said, “He wasn’t there.” There was a numb weight in her stomach as she accepted the truth of the words.
Thankfully Jacob didn’t play dumb. He knew who she meant. “No, but we’ll get him. You have to trust me.”
“But I won’t be there.” She didn’t mean to whine but she couldn’t help it. The DEA had been after Alex for a decade. She didn’t want to doubt Jacob or his abilities as a law enforcement agent, but she’d seen firsthand how easy it was for her half brother to sidestep the law.
“There has been talk of the agency keeping you on.”
They’d only brought her on for this one case. In return, her file would be sealed. It’d be a clean slate for her. But she had enjoyed working with the DEA. So much so that she found she wasn’t opposed to the idea of staying on, especially if it meant she could continue working with Jacob to get Alex.
He put the car into gear and started to drive as he spoke. “Though the powers that be have been leaning more toward a consultant type of position.”
So much for that idea. “Which means I’d be stuck behind a desk looking through files all day.” The numbness that’d started in her stomach was quickly sweeping through her. It gave the conversation a weird, hazy edge.
“Is that such a horrible fate?” His steel-gray eyes found hers in the rearview mirror. “You’ll be helping us put some very bad people behind bars. Isn’t that enough?”
It should be enough but it wasn’t. If she were going to do this, she wanted to be on the front lines. Yes, they were a team and each member of the team was important. But surfing through endless piles of paperwork to build a case and then not being able to go on the bust? It sounded like indulging in foreplay without ever getting to enjoy the sex. The only other option, though, was to walk away from the DEA completely. Which meant walking away from Jacob. Neither choice sounded particularly fun right now.
Apparently unaware of her distress, Jacob turned on the car’s lights and sirens as he pulled out of the park. They were following at least six other squad cars from the bust so his attention was focused on driving. And that was okay with her. With everything going through her mind, she didn’t particularly feel like chatting anyway. She actually rather enjoyed the silence. But it couldn’t last forever. After they’d discreetly lost the other squad cars, he shut off the lights and sirens and asked, “Would you like to go home?”
“Yes.” The word was sharp enough to bring his gaze back to the rearview mirror.
She thought about the last six months as he maneuvered the car smoothly through the streets and felt bad about leaving it this way. He’d been nothing but nice to her since he’d been assigned to the case. Just because she was upset about tonight’s outcome didn’t give her the right to be rude to him. She couldn’t hold him responsible for the DEA’s decisions or Alex’s whereabouts. “Jacob…”
“Yes?”
“Thank you. For everyth
ing.”
He’d gone out of his way to make her feel like more than an asset. He’d included her in every team meeting and had shared intelligence with her on more than a need-to-know basis. He’d even asked for her opinions and advice on several occasions. In short, he’d done everything possible to make it easier for her to work with the DEA.
He smiled softly as he made the last turn into the parking lot of her apartment building. “We should be thanking you, Izzy. We never would have gotten Minshouse without you.”
“I’m sure you would’ve gotten him sooner or later. I am glad I could help though.”
After he’d parked the car, he got out and then opened her door for her. “Give me your hands. I’ll take the cuffs off.”
Turning her back to him, she waited for him to free her hands and then turned back toward the door. With one last deep breath, she stepped out of the car and then shut the door firmly behind her. She could feel the finality of the moment hanging in the night air around them. Even if the agency offered her the consultant job, she’d probably never work with Jacob again.
She’d spent most of her life wishing to be human, but never as fervently as she did at that moment. If she were a human, she wouldn’t have megalomaniacal family members screwing up her life. She wouldn’t be forced to pretend to be something she wasn’t. But, most importantly, she could fall into Jacob’s arms and have one of those epic kisses they always have at the end of movies. It was stupid. It was childish and immature. It was what she wanted more than anything.
“I guess this is it then?” She looked up into his eyes as she asked the question. She hoped he’d make a move even though she knew she couldn’t take anything he offered.
“Good night, Izzy.” His fingertips gently traced the side of her face but he didn’t move to close the space between them.
Emptiness filled her as she thought of her life returning to normal, whatever normal was. “Goodbye, Agent.” She rose up to her tiptoes and kissed him softly on the cheek. “Take care of yourself.” But before she could turn away, his arms wrapped around her waist and pulled her tightly against him.
His warmth chased away the emptiness and made her forget what he was—what she was—for a moment. “Was there something else, Agent?” She draped her arms across his shoulders as she asked the question. Staring into his eyes, she saw the raw need housed there, but it was tempered with control.
“Izzy…”
The muscles in his jaw clenched as he looked over her shoulder into the dark night. After a moment, his eyes found hers again but something in his gaze had changed. The flecks of silver among the gray had cooled and become subdued.
“It’s been a pleasure working with you.” His arms loosened their hold on her waist as if he was preparing to walk away.
But she didn’t move. The thought of leaving his warmth was unbearable. Her fingers played with the short hairs at the nape of his neck as she breathed in his spicy scent. “Jacob?”
“Yes?”
She knew she shouldn’t say the words but she couldn’t resist. “Kiss me.”
He smiled softly before complying. The kiss started out gentle, but months of frustration brought about by teasing innuendo and proximity proved too much for her patience. Resting against the cold metal of the car, she ran her fingers through his hair as he deepened the kiss.
She felt one hand slide under her skirt and up her thigh as the other held her tightly against him. Lost in the sensation of his body on hers, she forgot everything else. Until, suddenly, he pulled away from her, making her acutely aware of her wobbly knees and erratic breathing.
“Would you like to come up?” Her voice was slightly husky.
“I’d love to.” He ran his fingers through his hair, visibly trying to regain his control. “Oh you have no idea how much. But I’ve got to check in on another case before I call it a day.”
“I see.” It was physically painful to move away from him.
“Izzy…”
“I understand, Jacob. Really, I do.”
“Can I see you again?” The question was so soft it almost sounded vulnerable.
“You’ve got my number.” With that, she turned away from him and began walking to her apartment. Every inch of her wanted to turn and watch him leave, but she refused to give in to the temptation. She’d been left enough times to know what it looked like. She didn’t need to see it one more time.
Chapter Two
It was for the best, she told herself after her apartment door closed. It would’ve made everything more complicated.
She ran her fingertips over her lips as she thought of the kiss. It’d been in that second that she’d finally seen what she’d been hiding from herself all these months. She wanted him and not in a momentary kind of way. If he were to share her bed, that’s where she’d want him to stay. But a relationship built on lies would never work and she couldn’t tell him the truth.
So it’s best for it to end like this. But the words were hollow. And even after repeating them a hundred times, they still didn’t help.
Tucked securely into her cozy apartment, she changed into her favorite black silk nightgown and started brewing a cup of tea while the melodic angst of her favorite singer filled the room. She should be in bed, but she was still too worked up from her brief exchange with Jacob to give in to her exhaustion.
She was just about to take a sip of her tea when the ringing of her cell phone stopped her. At first she was irritated by the intrusion. But when Restricted Number flashed across the screen, her stomach began to twist nervously. There was only one restricted number that ever called her. After answering the call, she brought the phone to her ear. “Agent Phinney.”
“I hope I’m not waking you.” Even over the phone, his deep voice had a rough edge to it that made her breath catch.
“No, I wasn’t in bed.”
“Good. I wanted to talk to you.”
“I don’t think—” She needed to make a clean break but her heart ached at the words she was about to say. She never got the chance to say them though.
“I’m standing in front of your door. Please, Izzy…”
She looked up at the door as the line went dead. Her heart raced at the thought of him being so close. Crossing the room, she practiced her well-rehearsed speech in her head. But her carefully memorized words disappeared as she opened the door. Her eyes swept over him hungrily, taking in everything from his tousled hair to the black t-shirt and tight jeans he’d been wearing earlier at the bust. He was easily the sexiest man she’d ever met.
His gaze slid over her before he picked her up by the waist and, kissing her passionately, then walked into the apartment. He closed the door with a quick kick once they were safely inside and then gently lowered her until she was standing on her own once more.
Needing to feel his skin, she tore his shirt out of his waistband and pulled it over his head. She only allowed herself a second to appreciate his well-defined torso before reaching out to him. Her fingers sought out and found the rapid rhythm of his heart.
“Please tell me you want this as much as I do.” His breathing was already erratic. “You have no idea how many nights I’ve dreamt of you—of this.”
She smiled softly as she slipped one arm out of her gown and then the other. She let go of the material and the silk fell into a puddle at her feet. What little control she had left evaporated as his gaze devoured her every curve. They’d waited long enough. She didn’t want to wait a minute longer. She pulled him to her until the warmth of his skin heated her. “Oh I want this,” she whispered into his ear, “now.”
His mouth silenced hers. The kiss was rough and demanding as he turned her so he could push her back against the door. She felt his hands settle around her waist as he began to leave a leisurely trail of kisses down her body. He paused when he reached her breasts so he could tease the sensitive skin with the tip of his tongue. The sensation was so intense that she squirmed under his touch.
He seemed to tak
e that as encouragement, though, because he then took her nipple into his mouth to suck gently on it. Need coursed through her until it filled her and made her impatient. Before she realized what she was doing, she scored his shoulder with her nails. She didn’t break the skin but the action was hard enough that it got his attention. He smiled against her skin as he cradled her other breast in his palm. “You have beautiful breasts.” He rolled her other nipple between his thumb and finger. “Responsive too.”
“Jacob…” The man was cruel, teasing her this way. Why was he torturing her?
“Hmm?” The gentle vibrations of the word tickled as he moved down to her rib cage.
She was frustrated with him, but the feel of his tongue exploring the sensitive skin just below her bellybutton made it hard for her to focus on why. And him sliding her silk panties over her thighs chased away any remaining thoughts she had.
Her heart racing, she ran her fingers through his hair so she had something to hold as he kissed her inner thigh. She needed him desperately but he didn’t seem to notice her impatience as he began the slow trip back up to her mouth.
She wasted no time when he finally leaned against her again. Unbuttoning his jeans, she pushed them and his boxers out of her way before returning to his embrace. She relished the feel of his skin on hers as he held her tightly against his body. But as his mouth captured hers and his fingertips explored the contours of her breasts, she needed more. It was her turn to explore.
She wrapped her hand around his erection and stroked him slowly. His cock was hard but his skin was satiny-soft against her palm. She enjoyed the contrast immensely as she caressed him. He appeared to enjoy it as well as he moaned and then he dropped his forehead to her shoulder. His breath tickled her as it flowed over her skin and made her shiver with anticipation. “And you have a wonderful cock. It’s very responsive as well,” she teased. When she ran her thumb over the head of his penis, he nipped her neck in what she could only guess was impatience.
