So here he sat, in his Mustang, on an unauthorized stakeout, watching for anyone suspicious. Hell, in Washington DC everyone was a little shady, especially the politicians.
A tap at his window jarred him from his seat. He turned to find a woman making a roll-down-your-window gesture.
He hesitated a second, then cranked it down.
“What?” He eyed her from head to toe. She wore a blond, straight-haired wig––and not much more.
“You want a date, cutie?” Her voice was a high-pitched whine that instantly grated on his nerves.
“Sorry, I’m working.” He could flash his badge and get rid of her that way, but he didn’t want to do that.
She leaned onto his car, her wares practically falling out of her black tube top. “I could give you a fast hand job for twenty bucks.”
Nick rolled his eyes.
Thoughts of Shiloh’s magic hands came rushing back and stirred his cock to life.
Shit. Now he was horny. But he’d never pay for sex. It was immoral and illegal. Besides, the girl wasn’t at all his type. And though he hated to turn the poor working girl down, the only hand action he wanted was from an auburn-haired Ice Princess who was probably sleeping right now—as he should be.
He leaned forward, pulled out his wallet and handed her a twenty. "Not interested, but go get yourself a coffee on me."
“You’re a gem. Thanks, sweetie.”
She turned and walked away, leaving Nick with a hard on that only Shiloh could fix.
If he had a cold drink handy, he’d dump it in his lap.
A glint off the glass entry of the apartment building caught his attention, and the object of his desire emerged and started off down the street on foot.
Why the hell was she going out at this time of night? And where?
Nick watched her get into her car. He started his Mustang, intending to follow. It wasn’t safe for her to be out this late––even if she didn’t have someone trying to kill her. She was a woman, for heaven sake, and vulnerable. She could be carjacked or attacked at knifepoint as she exited her car. Didn’t she know the crime rate in DC? He couldn’t let anything happen to her, not when he could prevent it.
Who was he kidding? He wanted to spend time with her—time on their backs—making moans and groans of pleasure. They’d gotten so close before, but had been shut down. Damn it.
She pulled into a twenty-four hour ice cream parlor. Ice cream? At this time of night? Nick couldn’t believe it, but then again, she was from another planet. Aliens and their cravings. Go figure.
Nick parked across the street and watched her enter the parlor, contemplating if he should just happen along. Ice cream sounded pretty good actually—ice cream dripping onto Shiloh’s naked body and him slowly licking it off.
He smiled and opened his car door, thinking that sharing a little Rocky-Road with her wouldn’t be a bad thing after all.
Shiloh studied her flavor choices, hoping to find one that would be as good as sex. Double chocolate with chocolate chunks. That one might just do the trick.
She picked up her sundae and went to sit in a back booth next to the restroom, where it was nice and secluded.
After she’d seated herself and tucked her purse next to her, she picked up the spoon and took a bite, closing her eyes to savor the flavor.
“Taste good?” a familiar voice asked.
Her eyes flew open to see Nicholas leaning against the booth, wearing a heart-stopping grin. When her heart restarted, she could feel heat seep into her face, quickly spreading like syrup, throughout her body.
She scolded herself for having such a reaction to his mere presence, and swallowed the mouthful of chocolate chunk before asking, "What are you doing here?"
“I came in to get some ice cream. I had a hankering for a little Cherry Garcia.”
“At this time of night? Do you live around here?”
“Sure, around the corner.” His hands fidgeted with his response, which made Shiloh assume he was lying. She’d taken behavioral science in college and was very good at reading people. She decided to play along with him just until she found out the real reason he was following her.
“Do you always come in for ice cream after midnight?” she asked.
“What are you doing here?” He sat across from her, stole her spoon and dipped to get a large spoonful of ice cream.
Shiloh watched his tongue swirl around the spoon, remembering that magic tongue whirling over her breast. Her nipples reacted immediately. Oh, God. Go away, Trent.
“Mmm, that’s good. I heard something about chocolate and women the other day. What was it?” He tapped his teeth with the plastic spoon. “Oh, yeah, it’s a substitute for sex or something, right?”
Flames crept up Shiloh’s neck. Why did he have to be so darn informed?
“I wouldn’t know,” she lied, extracting her spoon from his hand.
Her appetite for ice cream disappeared. She shifted in her seat; her mind drifted back to the night in her apartment. His hands. His mouth. His body pressed against hers. The feel of his cock in her hand.
Their eyes locked. Raw desire was clear in his eyes.
He licked his lips and his gaze left her eyes… traveled to her chest.
Her nipples tightened again, yearning to be touched. Call her crazy, but she wanted him.
The heat of his regard would have melted an ice cap on a below zero day.
She didn’t know what to say or do. Through the awkward silence, the only sound she heard was a coffeemaker brewing on the other side of the room. Should she get up and leave? She was about to go with that decision, when he ran his shoeless foot up the inside of her leg.
The contact sent shockwaves through her. His foot continued up to her thigh, and she could no longer think of anything but the incredible sensation.
She imagined him leaning forward, his hand continuing where his foot left off. His warm fingers finding their way between her legs and stroking her intimately.
She strangled a moan. What was she doing? Even thinking about this kind of thing should be illegal in a public place.
“Let’s go into one of the restrooms,” he mouthed, tipping his head toward the back of the shop.
Shiloh shook her head. “We can’t do that.”
Nicholas grinned and arched an eyebrow. “Sure we can. There’s no one in here but the guy behind the counter, and he can’t see us from where he’s standing. He won’t know.”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “It’s illegal, Nicholas.”
“Haven’t you ever done anything just for fun, no matter if it’s right or wrong?” His foot started to stroke her again––not fair.
She closed her eyes and heat radiated from her core. She wanted to, but could they do it without getting caught? Without her name being tarnished and her job at DNS being ripped away?
Sex with Nicholas.
Losing her job.
Shiloh weighed her options. Then she made her decision—one she hoped she wouldn’t regret.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Nick raced around the track, taking out his sexual frustration on the field. He still couldn’t believe Shiloh had gotten up and left him in the ice cream parlor with the biggest hard-on in history. He’d had to wait ten minutes before he could leave without calling attention to his condition.
He thought he’d had her in the palm of his hand. Actually he almost had. But she’d slipped away, leaving his pants in a bind. The Ice Princess… colder than ever.
“Hey, Trent,” Hank hollered from across the field.
Nick waved and sprinted around the track to meet his partner. He wiped his face with the towel tucked around the neck of his T-shirt. “What’s up?”
“We’ve been reassigned.”
“Great. What’s the job?”
“To protect the director until further notice.”
Nick inwardly cringed. “You’re kidding, right? Who assigned us and why? We’re the new kids on the block?”
“I
was told it came from upstairs. Apparently she hadn’t wanted protection at all, but Danfield himself insisted.”
“Wow, it came from that high up? Why all the special treatment?”
Hank shook his head. “No idea. I guess they don’t want another scandal. You know, like another dead director. Wouldn’t look too good for DNS not to be able to protect their own.”
Nick didn’t know if he should laugh or cry. “Exactly what do we have to do?”
“Stick to her like Velcro. One of us has to be with her at all times until we catch this guy.”
Nick wiped his hands on the towel. “When do we start?”
“Already have. Go shower, then I’ll meet you up in her office.”
Hank took off and Nick cursed under his breath. This was great. Why him, especially after the ice cream debacle?
He wasn’t sure if he could even stand to be in the same room with her again, much less stay by her side 24/7.
He couldn’t help that he felt angry. He’d never been turned down by a woman and that had done nothing for his ego.
To hell with Shiloh Templar and her icy demeanor.
A half hour later, Nick headed down the hall to the director’s office, intent on doing his best to keep her alive, but anything beyond that would be out of the question. She’d had her chance with him. She would have to beg him now if she wanted sex––and then he’d still refuse. Everything would be strictly professional from now on. He’d see to that.
He walked inside the office and found Hank leaning on Sandra’s desk, whispering in her ear. Nick would know something was going on between the two even if he hadn’t been told. Their eyes and body language said it all.
He cleared his throat. “The director catches you two mooning over each other, there could be trouble.”
Hank jumped up. “She’s waiting for us. Remember she’s no happier about this than we are.” That was an understatement. He was sure she hated the idea, especially with Nick, one of the two chosen to protect her.
After knocking, they entered her office. Nick hoped the week of not seeing her would help him cool his ardor. Since the ice cream episode he’d come to the conclusion, that his rampant physical desire had been due to lack of any recent action, that’s all. Months without sex. Any woman would affect him the same way. He might give Mia a call later and see if she couldn’t help him out there, though if he did, he knew she’d expect more. Something akin to a relationship if they took this to the physical level. Something he wasn’t ready for.
At least with Shiloh he knew it’d just be sex. Wild, crazy sex that he’d been willing to screw up his career for. He knew she wouldn’t allow anything else to develop.
Great. She was still in his blood. He had to fight it. But even if he could, sharing space with her––for as long as it took to find this gunmen––would he hard as hell.
Nick inhaled. He needed to keep his head, no matter how sexy or appealing Shiloh was. He had to, or he could end up with his ego in shambles and his career down the tubes––thanks to Ms. Iron Britches herself.
Shiloh knew Hank Dawson and Nicholas were the only two unassigned agents, and even though she’d been given the option of more seasoned men to guard her, she refused. She couldn’t see pulling in agents when all her other operatives were on important cases. She had to settle on Nick and Hank, although doing so turned her life into one big movie-of-the-week.
How was she going to be alone with Nicholas without wanting to attack him at every turn? The man was a walking sex machine. A sex magnet. She couldn’t believe she’d had the strength to get up and leave him at the ice cream parlor. She definitely hadn’t wanted to, but to have sex in a public place was risky and she just couldn’t do that. Though she wanted to and was sure it would have been the best sex she’d ever had in her life.
What was she going to do if they were alone in her apartment? She’d go insane knowing he was in the next room, half-naked and wanting her.
Every time she ran into him, she tried not to check out Nicholas from head to toe. But that was impossible. His hair always seemed to be wet and sticking up everywhere, and all she could think about was running her hands through those blond spikes to try and tame them.
God, she was in trouble.
"I imagine you’d like to discuss our assignment?" Hank’s words pulled her out of her fantasy. "I think Nick should take nights, and I’ll do days."
The censoring look Nicholas gave Hank was clear and she could only assume he wasn’t happy about that plan. Well, neither was she, but could she voice that without giving him a valid reason? She’d just stir his suspicions.
“All right,” she said through clenched teeth.
Nicholas narrowed his eyes at her, but said nothing. Good. Because right now, she wouldn’t know how to handle any of his wise-ass comments. She was sure he had some, and was probably running them through his head right now. Ice princess. Iron Maiden. She’d heard all of them through the grapevine and knew where they’d started. It was mean-spirited and hurtful. Nothing less than what she had come to expect from the men in her field.
“I guess I’ll go by my apartment and get a few things. I’ll meet you downstairs at five-thirty.” He glanced at Hank, scowled, and left the room.
He was pissed, and he didn’t try to hide it from her.
Shiloh smiled at Hank but felt uncomfortable. What would he think about Nicholas’ reaction?
“I’ll wait in the outer office. If you need to go anywhere just let me know.” Hank headed for the door.
Shiloh sat back and closed her eyes. She had to visit her father tonight and Nicholas would have to tag along.
She sighed. Why was this happening to her? All she wanted was to do her job to the best of her ability and take care of her father. Was that too much to ask without someone trying to take it all away? She certainly hadn’t asked for this.
Tears filled her eyes, but she quickly brushed them away.
If she gave into her fears, this person would win. And she refused to allow that. She was tough and she’d get through this… just like everything else she’d had to get through in the past.
Nick grabbed his leather satchel and stuffed socks and some sport shorts inside. He was still angry at Hank for assuming he’d want to spend the evenings with the director. He knew Hank just wanted to spend all his off-work time with Sandra.
Could Nick blame him?
His eyes zeroed in on the box of condoms tucked under a pair of socks in his dresser. Should he bring some? He had one in his wallet, his just-in-case condom that had been there far too long.
How many months had it been? Eight… nine months. Man he was slipping. He hadn’t had such a dry spell since puberty.
He threw the box into his bag. Maybe he could talk Shiloh into allowing him to have a sleepover. That thought made Nick smile.
He finished packing and headed out, grinning from ear to ear. He could get even. He owed Shiloh one. He could invite Mia over to Shiloh’s apartment and see what Miss Icy Britches would do.
Nick laughed. He could see it now. Shiloh lying in her cold bed as he got busy with someone else on her living room floor.
He shook his head. He couldn’t do that, not when he was on the job, but the thought made him feel better.
Nick drove back to DNS with delicious images of Shiloh’s face watching him roll around on her floor with Mia in his arms.
Suddenly the image faded and another took its place. Damn woman. She’d literally ruined the picture for him. He couldn’t think about making love to another woman without Shiloh’s misty-green eyes beckoning him back to her.
What the hell was wrong with him?
He refused to dwell on it. The whole thing was too confusing.
Could it be—?
No. No way. Don’t even think about that.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Shiloh rode the elevator down to the main floor, nervous as heck about having to spend the next ten or so hours alone with Nicholas.
W
hen the doors opened, her stomach took a nosedive. Nicholas stood by the front door, talking to Marie from accounting. His intense blue eyes sparkled with amusement.
Was he flirting with Marie? Maybe he was trying to talk her into a sexual liaison in a public restroom.
Pfff!
She shook her head and refused to be affected by anything he did. Instead, she stared with distaste at his choice of attire. He wore another Hawaiian shirt, light blue with big white flowers, and a pair of baggy jeans. Those ugly flip-flops were on his feet again. The sunglasses tucked into his collar were blue to match his shirt. She cringed. He looked as if he’d just stepped off a plane from the Islands. How could she take him to see her father looking like that?
She cleared her throat and walked toward him.
He turned and his smiling eyes instantly sobered.
“Are you ready?” Shiloh heard her own harsh tone, and inwardly scolded herself. She could just imagine what the little blonde was thinking. What a bitch.
“I’m ready, but we’re taking my car.”
“What about—?”
His expression hardened. “I’m not leaving my car here. It’s a classic. Yours can be replaced. Mine can’t.”
“Fine.” She clenched her jaw, biting back what she thought he could do with his stupid car.
But then, with his narrow behind, it wouldn’t fit. Why were men always blessed with nice, firm butts?
As they walked to his car, Shiloh couldn’t keep her eyes off his cute rear end, though it was hard to see in the baggy pants he wore. Damn it!
He turned just in time to catch her staring, and her face rushed with heat.
He smirked. “Do you mind? I could feel your eyes burning a hole in my ass. I expect you to keep our relationship strictly professional from now on.”
Shiloh’s jaw dropped at his curt tone. How could he say such a thing after their encounter in the ice cream parlor? The man had some nerve.
“Fine,” was all she could muster as she stormed past him.
“Ahem.” He cleared his throat. “This is me.” He pointed to an old, light-blue Mustang convertible.
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