by Serena Zane
She had a view of Conner where he watched from the couch in the living room. A clear image of her displayed for him in the mirror from where he sat leaning over the back of the couch just as she planned.
“So, what does a little wet kitten like you do for a living? I don’t suppose you’re a model?” His voice drifted in from the other room.
Lucy stopped herself from groaning as she answered; she didn’t like being referred to as a little anything. As she flipped her hair back, she started to undo the buttons on her dress. Her skin exposed to Conner’s gaze as the buttons came undone. Like any other man she knew, his brain would go right out the window when she started undressing.
“Oh, not too much I’m afraid. I’m a curator for the Metropolitan Museum.” She kept watch on him from the corner of her eyes. Conner’s eyelids widened as her dress dropped from her lithe body. She stood there for a moment in her lingerie. “I arrange exhibits and displays for people to view.” She reached back and undid the snaps of her bra.
That would be enough.
She turned away from the mirror. Lucy moved to the other side of the room where she wouldn’t be visible.
His sigh was loudly audible.
“I’m quite proud of my latest achievement. I’ve arranged for a showing of the Hope Diamond. It’s due to arrive next Monday morning.” Lucy put on the clothes that he gave her. She wiggled into the sweats. “They’re letting us display it for two full weeks. I never thought the deal would go through, but after many months of planning they’ve finally agreed.” She picked up the sweater and pulled it over her head. “I just hope nothing like a stock market crash happens while it’s here. I’m sure you’ve heard of the terrible things that stone is accused of.” Lucy wrapped the towel around her hair.
Let’s see how he handles that temptation.
“You sound excited.” His tone indicated piqued interest. It held a note of curiosity.
“You’ve got no idea.” Walking out of the room, Lucy strode over to the couch to stand beside Conner. “This’ll mean great things for the museum in the future. The amount of publicity it’ll bring is priceless.” She slid down onto the sofa next to him, and took the glass of brandy he extended letting her fingers brush his.
“Maybe, I’ll go and call your cab. Here’s another drink to warm you up, I’ll be right back. The phone’s in the study.”
Lucy could almost listen to the wheels turning in his head. He got up from the sofa quickly. Conner moved toward the study door. His gaze hot as it landed on her.
If she remained lucky, he’d make a call to his boss as well. The seed planted, Lucy wanted to see what he did with it. Men like Conner were followers, and followers were easy to lead.
“You go and call that cab. I’ll be fine out here.” Lucy shot him another one of her killer smiles, and he left the room to make the call. Waiting a moment to make sure he closed the door, Lucy snuck to the study door. She listened carefully.
“Hello? This is Conner. Yes. I need to speak with the boss. There’s some news he just might find valuable.”
Yes! He bought it!
Conversation lapsed and the sound of papers shuffling came through the door as he rifled around in his desk. The click of a laptop being opened and the tap of keystrokes reached Lucy’s ears.
Conner began to talk again, “Yes. Mr. Rivera? Aye, I just discovered some interesting news. That’s right. The Hope Diamond is going to be displayed at the Metropolitan Museum starting next week. Aye--”
Rock on! A Name! Lucy smiled secretly to herself. She waited to see if the mysterious Mr. Rivera would play her game. She hated to listen in on one-sided conversations. She twisted a strand of hair between her fingers while she waited. Lucy tugged gently on her scalp. She didn’t have to wait long.
“That’s right. I’ve got a deal for you, a way to retrieve the diamond without too much fuss. Aye-- how much are you willing to spend Mr. Rivera?”
Silence…
“So, you want this rock at any cost?”
Another pause.
“Tell you what; I’ll see what I can do. If so, we can do business. I’ll call you later...”
Lucy rushed back to the other side of the room as quietly as possible. She knelt by the fireplace and pretended to finish drying her long strawberry blond hair. The wet ends brushed the carpet. A few minutes passed before Conner arrived from the study, his grin firmly in place.
“The cabs on its way, but it’ll be a while before it gets here.” He moved to the cabinet and poured himself another drink. As he finished, he turned to her. His blue eyes roamed her body. “You’re a very beautiful woman. I’d like to know you better.”
Lucy blushed and looked at him from under her lashes. “Thank you. That sounds promising. You’ve been so good to me. I don’t know what I can do to make up for your kindness, but I’d like to try.” She twirled at a strand of hair with her long fingers, letting a secret smile play on her lips. “You’ve done quite a bit this evening.”
“Then let’s go to dinner tomorrow night.”
Lucy walked over to where Conner sat down on the sofa.
He placed a hand on her thigh. “We can go anywhere you like. I’ve got no preference. I’d simply enjoy your company.” Conner leaned back and slid his arm up around her shoulders.
Lucy did her best not to shift away. She took a sip of her brandy. His snifter slid along her arm brushing the side of her breast, the glass cold through the material of the sweater she wore. Lucy moved slightly so he couldn’t easily reach her with his cup. Her lips turned up as she tried not to give the impression that it wasn’t that she didn’t want to be touched, but rather that she wanted the respect due a lady.
“That sounds wonderful.” Not wanting to ruin her chances, Lucy ran a finger down his thigh. “We can do Chinese. It’s my favorite.” Her hand stopped on his knee. “I just love spring rolls.” She hooded her eyes. “Don’t you?”
Conner nodded as his fingers started to caress her shoulder. “I know a place called the Red Dragon. It’s located on 40th and Broadway. We can meet there for dinner, and I’m sure I don’t need to tell you--” he began massage the spot just between her neck and her shoulder, “dress nice.”
Lucy smiled up at him in encouragement. He moved his hand to her neck and she turned her back towards him. She dropped her head forward and reminded herself the cab would be there soon. Lucy would do almost anything for the Agency, but she would only go so far. Besides, he may be a creep, but as he rubbed her shoulders she conceded that he did have great hands.
Lucy leaned into his touch, and let herself enjoy the feel of strong fingers massaging her muscles. She wasn’t going to get a massage like this from anyone else. Hell, Kevin only touched her when he needed to, and she just wasn’t interested in anyone else.
A buzzer sounded and a voice came through the speaker box.
Conner moaned.
“Shouldn’t we get that?” Looking over her shoulder at him, she gestured to the door with her head.
Conner gazed longingly at her, and, after taking a breath agreed. He slid off the couch and went down the short entryway to get the door.
“It’s your cab. You’d better go.” He stood there with his hands in his pockets.
Lucy could tell that he didn’t want her to leave, but she knew what would happen if she stayed. She wasn’t going there.
“Your right, see you tomorrow night. Seven?”
“Yes.” Conner moved out of her way.
Lucy picked up her clothes. She walked to the door that he held open. Lucy stopped and turned to him. “Thanks for everything.” She touched his face lightly with her fingertips. “Till tomorrow.”
CHAPTER 5
Lucy noticed Kevin as he waited for her in the cab. He grabbed her wrist the moment she came within reach.
“What do you think you’re doing walking into a secured facility without proper protection?” He kept a strong grip on her wrist and didn’t let go.
Lucy felt like a b
ucket of ice water just dumped on her.
“This isn’t a game Montgomery. If something happens to you, you never existed. We’re only going after your brother because the criminals are still at large. This isn’t some two-bit detective agency. If you want to play games do it on your own time.” His grip moved to her upper arm and tightened.
“Garrett, don’t start with me now.” Lucy snapped, and turned her eyes on him hoping he saw half the anger she experienced. Lucy yanked on her arm, but he wouldn’t let go. She settled. “I happen to know Killroy would be pleased as punch to know how tonight went down.” She lifted her chin defiantly. “Conner took the bait. You wouldn’t want to be the one responsible for messing things up now would you?” Lucy crossed her legs and leaned back in the seat. “Not when things are going so well.”
She tried not to gloat. The long-standing rivalry that existed between them went back to when she first joined the Agency. It felt good being able to stand her ground.
Lucy looked out the cab window and watched the late night traffic blur as her mind took her back to the day they met. She’d stood at attention with a group of others ready for training for the most important job one would ever do, train to be a field agent and save the country from unspeakable terrors. One out of two women in her class, Lucy had been proud of her accomplishments.
Recruited straight out of Quantico, Lucy had grown eager to begin her new career. Somewhere, a door off to the left had opened and three men entered the area, two she’d seen before. The first, Derek Killroy, Director of Special Operations strode in with an easy grace which spoke of confidence. The second man was their defense instructor, Mike Dunry.
The third man had drawn her attention. He’d walked in behind Killroy and Dunry, his long stride brought him to stand in front of the small group. Tall in comparison to the others, he’d made her 5’3” seem dwarf size if she thought about it, which she often did.
He must visit a barber a few times a month, she’d thought. His hair cropped close to his head in a distinguished style, the dark black had reminded her of the sky at midnight. She’d taken in his features wondering if the planes of his face would be as hard as they looked.
Her gaze traveled over his visage, and her eyes had connected with his in a clash locking them together. Metallic Silver eyes, which still made her think things she shouldn’t.
She couldn’t have torn her gaze away as she’d listened to Director Killroy explain the chiseled perfection in front of her worked as an operative, a senior operative.
She’d snapped to attention.
“Special Agent Kevin Garrett has worked with the Agency for four years. He’s the top agent in the field.”
As a result, Garrett had first choice which rookie he’d take with him out into the field. Garrett had stridden down the line, and analyzed each of them as though he could peer into their souls with his penetrating gaze. At least she’d felt that way.
Lucy had held her breath as he came to stand in front of her. Their eyes locked again. She hoped it wouldn’t be a regular occurrence.
Slowly, he drew his gaze down her body as though he’d found she lacked some unnamed quality. When he’d looked his fill, he moved on without saying anything. Lucy had felt oddly deflated, as though the air let out of her favorite balloon.
She didn’t know that eight hours later she would be flying in a Cessna over the Appellation Mountains, about to start the most grueling four months of her life.
Lucy grimaced as she recalled his rough attitude. On her first assignment, Kevin had sent her through almost every hazard one could expect on the job, and not once had she heard a compliment uttered from his hardened lips.
Not that she’d complained. Nope, Lucy never complained. At least not out loud.
During those months, Lucy became used to the stony silence shared between them. They communicated only when it was necessary. Kevin had never engaged in small talk, not that she hadn’t tried. Time and again she’d approached him to start a conversation. Each time he’d shut her down.
Once, she’d described the way he had acted to her best friend, Cindy. She’d named him the Ice King, never a friendly word, just business with as much charm as a block of ice. She’d picked up the habit of playing solitaire to stop herself from going mad. Lucy became an expert at the game. She’d felt tortured being so close to someone she wanted so badly, her body had screamed to be touched, but she’d known she would never have him.
At the end of the assignment, Lucy had informed Director Killroy she wouldn’t go on another assignment with Kevin. Now, here she was again, sitting next to the overgrown ice cube.
He didn’t need to look so good either. As he sat beside her, Kevin exuded an air of masculinity impossible to ignore.
She seethed silently, her anger level rose with each passing block.
The vehicle pulled up in front of her apartment and Lucy exploded out of the cab. She needed to be rid of her unwanted baggage. Lucy jerked her arm out of his grip and jumped out. She raced up the front steps of her apartment building, and fumbled for the keys in her purse as she rushed to get away from him. Kevin appeared right behind her, and calmly reached over her arm to take the keys as her fingers tried to open the lock.
“Allow me.” Before Lucy could guess his intention, Kevin had the keys in his hand and opened the door.
She narrowed her eyes and walked past. No point in trying to keep him outside. If he wanted to talk, there would be no stopping him.
Besides, she thought, the rain’s coming down. I don’t want to hold this conversation outside.
Neither of them said a word as they made their way to her fifth floor apartment. The silence raised Lucy’s anger level every second as the elevator raced to its destination. Heat radiated from his body like a furnace. She shifted and tried to move to the far side of the elevator. Lucy felt his hand on the small of her back. A simmering flame blossomed low in her body and spread.
“Don’t.” She pushed at him needing space.
He held up both hands and back away to the other side of the elevator.
Attracted to him since the first day they met, she wished he felt the same. It galled her that even after the way he’d treated her on mission her hormones kicked into overdrive. To make matters worse, he stared at her with those penetrating steel eyes making her uneasy.
Lucy tugged at the strings of the sweatpants she wore, conscious of what she must look like. Her hair, still slightly damp, started to curl into tight little ringlets that hung just below her shoulders, encased in a baggy sweater about three sizes to large. The sweats were cuffed up because the legs hung too long. Her make up had worn off long ago, and to top it off she wore her designer boots, whose shiny leather made a ridiculous exclamation point to her present outfit. She felt like a fool.
The ding signaling her floor sounded and the elevator door slid open. She quickly stepped out, moved with fast strides to her door, and got it unlocked before Kevin could take her keys again. She opened her apartment, and waited for him to enter. Lucy closed the door behind him trying not to inhale as he passed by. He always smelled so good.
CHAPTER 6
Kevin glanced around Lucy’s apartment. In her one-bedroom, she’d economized space by using the living room as an entertainment space, and an office. A computer adorned the far corner. He noticed she hadn’t organized the desk in some time.
Papers piled up and spilled onto other tables in the room, not something he expected of the woman he thought he was familiar with. At the sound of the door shutting, he turned to Lucy. Kevin intended to keep things strictly business-- despite what his body told him. He saw her standing inside the doorway, and he stopped.
Kevin struggled not to laugh as he got his first good look at the state of Lucy’s attire. She seemed like a little kid who’d tried to dress up in daddy’s clothes. It was difficult to think of her as another agent at the moment. He wanted to gather her close and bury his face into the tiny crook of her neck taking in her scent.
“Well, don’t stand there,” Lucy said, “Tell me why you came up here so I can get on with the rest of my life.” She tapped her foot, obviously waiting for him to answer her, arms crossed.
“Montgomery, there’s no need to go on the defensive. I’m here to work with you, not against you.” As he approached he read her rage. That’s one thing he always liked about her. She wasn’t afraid to show her anger.
“No need to go on the defensive?” Her eyes flashed, “No need to… Do you have any idea what you just said? I specifically told Killroy never again. Which does not mean, ‘Oh yes Director, give me a year, and I’ll be able to tolerate the Ice King.’”
Kevin winced. He’d been harsh with her during their months on mission together, but he didn’t want to get to close. When a person mixed work and pleasure it never turned out good in their line of business. He’d tried before to make up for what he’d done to her. Kevin recalled the way she’d thrown his apology back in his face. He mentally winced. Now he’d gone and lost her brother. When he screwed up, he screwed up big time.
“Look,” he leaned against the back of her couch, took off his cap, and ran a hand through his hair, “I’m not sorry about the way I treated you. There’s a job to do. You know that as well as I. It’s not good to get too attached to your partner. I only tried to protect both of us.”
“Protect? You make it sound as though you’re some sort of saint.” Lucy leaned in close to him and glared. “A little conversation wouldn’t kill you. Trying to talk to you is like trying to melt an iceberg. Remember the Titanic Garrett? The iceberg didn’t melt, but it sure sunk the ship.”
