He promptly calmed when Arthur invited Jessica to the very meeting Pierce wanted entre to for the sake of taking Cecil Bickley down. Pierce had told her to cooperate and pretend to be Arthur’s inside man, as it were. Whatever it takes.
As Jessica made the final tribute with her champagne glass, she felt used by pretty much everyone. Pierce and the FBI as a start, but the more troubling source was Reece, who seemed to be making plans behind her back that she had to cover.
A horrible thought occurred to her. Perhaps he hadn’t truly wanted her. Perhaps her connection to the FBI was the only reason he’d invited her back to his place for a second night and insisted he wanted to keep seeing her. Perhaps that was the reason he’d pushed so hard to stay with her because he could use her as a source for his boss and his illegal business.
He might not have instigated their first time together, but since he learned she was FBI, he’d worked very hard to keep her in his life. She had to close her eyes for a moment as shame and regret washed over her. Worst of all, she’d fallen for it hook, line and sinker.
If Reece had told Arthur she was keeping an eye out to ensure the club wasn’t under surveillance, then he was as guilty as his boss. She’d given him the benefit of the doubt up to now, but his duplicity hit her like a shovel to the jaw.
A glance at Elsa made her realize she needed to pay attention to her surroundings and lick her wounds later.
Arthur had been talking to Bickley, a conversation Jessica had missed entirely. He was already leaving through the curtained off area, his faithful assistant following behind him. Jessica hoped her wire transcript would be available to study later on. She hadn’t heard any of the closing statements.
Elsa leaned in close. “Are you ready to leave, chica?”
“Yes. I’m past ready.”
The two of them stood up.
“Where are you two going?” Bickley asked. “I got champagne and everything.”
“Too much drama. We’re going home,” Elsa said.
Reece glared at him, then faced Jessica with an expectant look in his eyes. Was he sorry? Or was he only sorry she’d found out what he did? Maybe both.
Elsa stuck an arm through Jessica’s and guided her out the way Arthur had exited.
Reece started to follow them, but Elsa glared at him. “We no longer need you for our bodyguard.”
“Oh? Why is that?”
“We are leaving because it seems like you used my friend. Worse, you did it behind her back without so much as a whisper of warning. I know how I’d feel in the same situation.”
His lips formed a grim line, but he didn’t disagree or argue. “At least let me walk you out. Do you need a cab?”
“No. We don’t need anything. Not from you.”
In her ear, Pierce was cautioning Elsa not to play too hard to get. “We want him to chase after her.”
“Jessica,” Reece called out in a tone that sounded hurt and bewildered, or perhaps it was simply filled with regret. “Please wait. Let me explain.”
Pierce said, “Perfect. Let him explain.”
They were on the ramp, still shielded from the rest of the club with translucent draperies.
Jessica gave Elsa a small smile and nodded for her to go on ahead. “I’ll meet you inside by the front door in a minute.”
Elsa gave Reece a convincing semblance of a wary glare, but moved away. Jessica faced him. “I don’t remember having a discussion where I agreed to keep you and your boss apprised of any law enforcement sniffing around this club.”
“I’m sorry, Jessica.”
“Are you?”
“Yes.” His gaze was filled with what seemed like genuine remorse, but she didn’t trust it. Elsa was a great actress. Jessica thought she’d done pretty well herself, given that she’d been blindsided by Arthur’s assumptions. Lying was easy, with the right motivation. That meant Reece could be just as talented at twisting the truth. “I didn’t expect Arthur to say anything to you, especially not in front of others.”
“And if he hadn’t, I assume you would have continued to also not say anything, right?”
He looked up at the ceiling, shook his head and then gave her an intense stare. “The situation got out of hand. He asked me about you and I sort of—”
“You what? Told him who I was and then lied to him about what I’d do for you? You’re lucky I covered for you tonight.”
“I know.”
“How did you ever think I’d do something like that? Because I won’t warn him if there is ever any agency watching this place. I don’t even have the clearance level for that sort of stuff.” Lie. Lie. Lie.
His eyes narrowed briefly as if he knew she fibbed. “I was bragging about what you’d done in the café, saving your friend and your marksmanship, and that you were my new FBI girlfriend. Arthur was ready to make me break up with you, I had to say something. He decided it would be better if I could get you to spy for him. One thing led to another very quickly and—”
“And?”
“And he assumed too much. But by then I couldn’t get out of it. I tucked it away and hoped he might forget.”
“If he hadn’t forgotten, were you prepared to ask me to help you defend this place from law enforcement sneaking in?”
One of his muscular shoulders lifted. “I was hoping it never came up again, to be honest.”
“Naïve of you.” She looked away from his earnest stare.
“Or frantic optimism.”
She laughed, and heard the bitter note in the sound. “You don’t seem like a man who ever gets frantic.”
“I’m agitated about you coming to that meeting tomorrow night.”
“Oh? Why is that? After all, I have the perfect skillset for your boss, since I’m a dirty agent on the take and all.”
“I said I was sorry about that.” His expression looked pained.
“I’m not ready to accept your apology yet.”
Reece took a step closer. “But there is hope?” He gifted her with a very hot, sexy gaze, one that bored down to her bone marrow and melded with her DNA. They were close enough to kiss if either of them moved forward a couple of inches. Despite everything, she wanted to forgive him. He smelled so amazingly good.
“Please forgive me, Jessica,” he whispered, his breath caressing her lips. The loud beat of the club music pulsed inside her body.
In her ear, she heard Pierce say something to Seth. Shit. Shit. Shit. They were still listening in. She backed up a step, away from Reece’s luscious scent and familiar warmth. He reached out, grabbing her arm. “Wait. Please.”
Jessica saw the frantic in his eyes now. But was it because he was afraid of losing her or of losing his connection to the FBI? She wasn’t prepared to deal with the answer.
“I need to go. Elsa is waiting for me.”
“Please wait. I care very deeply about you, Jessica.”
She whirled to go, then turned back and moved close. “Now see, I’m not certain I believe that at all. I’m troubled that after that very first night we spent together, perhaps I was merely a convenient way for you to get ahead at work and that’s why you pursued me so very hard.” Jessica was afraid to see the truth of her accusation in his eyes, so she didn’t look for it. She marched toward the door, not expecting him to follow.
He practically body slammed her from behind, wrapping a strong arm round her waist, and pulling her against his chest. “That’s not true and you know it,” he said fiercely.
“Do I? Wrong. I’m fairly certain I never knew you at all.” She tried to wrench herself from his firm grasp. “Let me go.” He released her slowly. She still hadn’t looked at him. He could be trying to trick her. He knew she was susceptible to his overwhelming masculine prowess.
She continued walking around the curve of the ramp with her gaze squarely focused on the front entryway. Elsa watched her descend. She and everyone else on the channel had heard the whole argument. She’d likely watched it as well. Awesome. Jessica Hayes, dirty FBI agent
on the take, and complete naïve idiot in her love life to boot.
Hector smiled at Jessica as she walked by, making her pause for a moment for an additional lash to her self-esteem.
Absolutely everyone knew what a complete fool she’d been to ever think a man like Reece would not only be interested in her, but pursue her so doggedly. She remembered the level of her inexperience in matters of sexual satisfaction. I’m the very definition of newbie sexual partner.
If she’d had any occupation besides one that was law enforcement-related, Reece wouldn’t have given her the time of day past that first night when he hadn’t known anything about her.
She was a fool. Tears threatened to spill, but she refused to allow it. She sucked up her desolate feelings, shook her weepy attitude away, and headed for Elsa’s car.
“I’m not certain what you’re doing, Agent Hayes, but you’d better hope he doesn’t break it off with you,” Pierce said in her ear. “You will be at that meeting tomorrow. I don’t care what you have to say or do to make it happen.”
Chapter Fourteen
Reece watched Jessica storm away with equally potent quantities of regret and relief. He didn’t want her at that meeting. Cecil Bickley was unpredictable, roaming at will through the world with absolutely no impulse control. He couldn’t be trusted.
Then again, watching Jessica walk away—after Arthur had opened his big mouth and outlined Reece’s betrayal—was almost more than he could stomach. He wanted to chase after her, but heard a commotion behind him from the very source of his anger.
Bickley was on the prowl for more women. Reece figured the rest of tonight was about to be long and filled with more drama.
When the club finally closed its doors and he was headed to his car, he saw the late-night text from Jessica.
I know you’re still working, but I wanted to say I’m sorry.
Maybe better than most folks, I understand having to do what is necessary for your boss, whether you like it or not.
I’ll see you tomorrow night.
Text me the location and pick me up on the way. J
Reece was so grateful to be out of the doghouse, he forgot he didn’t want her there. But her forgiveness was welcome. He’d simply have to remember that she was a trained agent with skills and then keep her safe regardless of what happened. He texted her back before heading home to his empty bed. He’d have to keep reminding himself that he didn’t get to keep her after this assignment was over.
Reece tried to call Jessica around lunchtime the next day, getting only her voicemail at work and on her cell. He left a message, but she didn’t call back. Instead, she sent a short text a few hours later mentioning a busy day. She made a point of saying she’d field his text whenever the meeting was about to go down and let him know whether to pick her up at the FBI office or her apartment.
Arthur had insisted on making the meeting late in the day, cutting into his shift at the club, but Reece wasn’t upset about that. He was sort of hoping to be able to pick Jessica up at home and for his boss to choose a meeting place in town so they didn’t spend the night driving.
Regrettably, nothing was going to go the way he wanted it to. Not tonight and likely not in the near future, either.
Arthur set up the meeting almost an hour’s drive out of town. Jessica was still at work when he sent her the message, so he didn’t even park, just texted her when he got close and slowed in front of the FBI building as she exited the front door.
When she got into his car, it was clear she was still upset. She didn’t smile, kiss him, or even look at him. She fastened her seatbelt and looked straight ahead.
In a controlled tone, she said, “Let’s go. You shouldn’t linger here in front of FBI headquarters, it looks suspicious.”
“I thought you’d forgiven me.”
She glanced in his direction, but didn’t actually look at him when she asked, “What makes you think I haven’t?”
Reece pulled away from the curb, squealing his tires and making her hang on as he negotiated his way into traffic. “Well, let’s see. You haven’t looked at me, touched me, kissed me or smiled since getting in my car.”
“I’ve only been in here for less than thirty seconds.”
“I miss your smile.” She purposefully didn’t look at him. “And your kiss,” he said under his breath, but loud enough for her to hear.
“Guess you’ll also have to deal with regret.” She pushed out a long sigh, kept her focus out the window, and added, “Let’s just get this over with, okay?”
“We have a minimum forty-five-minute drive. It’s a long time to spend in awkward silence.”
Jessica shrugged. After a few minutes she said, “What is it you expect from me tonight? Or should I save that question for your boss?”
Reece tilted his head from one side to the other, stretching his tense neck muscles before answering. “The truth is I never wanted you at this meeting. If it were up to me—and it’s not—I’d drop you off at your apartment. But since you’re required to be there courtesy of Arthur, I expect he’s going to want assurances that no one in any lettered agency is looking into his business. Can you provide an adequate answer for him?”
“Yes.”
“Are you prepared to be very carefully checked for listening devices when we get there?”
She swung her head to stare at him for the first time since entering his car. “Of course.” But her tone wasn’t as confident.
“I’ll try to be gentle, but I intend to be thorough,” he said with a grin, trying to loosen things up a bit. “I look forward to touching every inch of your body, searching for weapons or listening devices, even if your clothes are in place.” He’d relish touching any part of her at any time. Arthur would insist on everyone being body checked completely anyway. He’d stop at a full strip search, but only barely.
Jessica didn’t comment. She turned away to intently study the terrain outside in the fading sunlight as if there would be a pop quiz later.
“What is really up your ass? Why are you so mad at me?”
She shrugged, her gaze fixed out the window as if the scenery was a breathtaking spectacle. It wasn’t. It was one broken-window-filled building after another on the edge of forlorn that should likely be torn down.
“Look, I need to know.” I want to know.
Jessica’s head whipped to the side and he got a glimpse of her profile. “You pursued me with only one thing on your mind and unfortunately it wasn’t sex.”
“That is not true! Wait. I didn’t only want sex, but—”
She huffed. “I don’t believe you.”
Reece narrowed his gaze. “This seems like a trap where I can’t possibly say the right thing, which is unfair.” Did she think he was only after her because of Arthur? Would that generate so much anger? She acted like this was personal.
“Unfair? That’s rich. I’m shocked you could get it up so many times for someone as inexperienced as I am in bed. You likely deserve a medal for successful and repeated performances. A big one. I can mention it to Arthur, if you’d like.”
Reece had just merged onto the interstate, but slammed on his brakes and stopped the car at the side of the road on an iffy shoulder with his flashers going. Luckily, traffic wasn’t heavy, but more than one car honked at him as they sped by their now stationary vehicle.
“Oh my good heavens! Do you have a death wish or something?” she asked, both hands clinging to the dashboard.
He snapped off his seatbelt and turned, almost climbing into her space. “Do you really believe that I’m faking my desire for you for the sake of my job when we’re in bed together?”
Eyes wide, lips parted, she stared at him as if hoping the answer to that question was a resounding negative. “Perhaps the thought did cross my mind once or twice.” She swallowed hard and appeared to be waiting, as if she needed to hear him tell her his innermost feelings. It wasn’t something he was adept at, but the ludicrous idea that he wasn’t attracted to her was…
well, insane. He’d never once thought she was inadequate in bed. Why did she think such a thing?
His tone was a bit loud and aggressive, but he intended for her to hear him. “I believe I told you that I care deeply about you. I have felt this way since I changed your flat tire. Even so, I want to be with you. The truth is, I love you, Jessica. I can’t even explain how much trouble even saying those words causes me on countless levels of my complicated and frustrating life, but it’s the absolute truth.
“I never faked anything with you. Not once. Not ever. Nor will I. If you come away with anything else tonight, please be assured that you are it. The only one for me.”
Finally out of steam, he twisted as he sat back down and put the car in gear. He reached for his seatbelt and watched the mirrors to assess traffic so he could re-enter the nearest lane. They were probably going to be late unless he sped there.
Her fingers landed on his arm. “Wait. I am sorry. I mean it.” When he looked at her, happiness and supreme relief filled her expression. “Turns out I’m more insecure than I thought about my general appeal and being a know-nothing virgin for our first time.”
“You knew plenty,” he whispered.
“Last night when Arthur called me out and assumed I was keeping the FBI at bay for him, I was caught off guard. I went straight to the idea that I’d obviously never be able to attract a man like you if you didn’t want something else from me.”
“A man like me? I’m nothing special.” I’m an undercover idiot who should never have admitted my true feelings out loud.
“You are. Every woman in line to get inside your club is in love with you. I saw it when we entered together the other night. Every woman I’ve ever seen looks at you like you’re their perfect fantasy man.”
“That’s not real. They only want something from me.”
“Elsa said that, too. She tried to talk me out of my melancholy last night, but I was unconvinced. I was certain I was only a means to an end.”
Bouncer (Bad Boys in Big Trouble Book 2) Page 15
