by Becca Van
Clay was the first out of the truck, and then he held the passenger door open for her. “Pass your things over.”
She sat up, grabbed her laptop and handed it to Clay before hooking the strap of her purse over her shoulder, and then she took his proffered hand. “Thanks.” She closed the door once she was on her feet and headed toward the internal garage door where Spence was waiting.
She followed Spence from out of what appeared to be a small mudroom near the back door and laundry then into the kitchen where Misha was sitting with Dawson and Kent at the counter.
“Oh wow,” Misha gasped when she spotted Jasmine. The other woman slid from the stool before slowly walking toward her. “You almost look like I do.”
“She sure does,” Kent said as he walked toward her.
“If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were related,” Dawson said.
“No offense.” Spence glanced at Jasmine. “But they look nothing alike. The only thing they have in common is the black hair, their brows and eye color.” Spence frowned. “How the hell did you manage that? I swear your lashes and brows were light.”
Jasmine glanced toward the living room entry when she heard a giggle. Bella entered, coming farther into the room as she began to speak. “They were, you big dope.” Bella swatted Spence on the arm. “Didn’t you know that women also get their eyelashes and eyebrows tinted?”
“Why the hell would anyone want to do that?” Dawson frowned as he moved closer to Bella before wrapping an arm around her waist and tugging her tighter against his side.
“Uh, to look different.” Jasmine couldn’t help smiling at the perplexed look on the men’s faces. She’d never thought about changing the color of her eyebrows or eyelashes until she’d volunteered to be the bait for the serial killer. She’d wanted to look as much like Misha as possible.
Jasmine unhooked the paper bag she’d tied to her purse and handed it over to Misha.
“What’s this?” Misha asked but was already opening the bag and peeking inside. “Oh, I love this color red. It’s so rich it’s almost a mahogany color. I always wanted to dye my hair a different color. If this suits me I might have to make an appointment at the hairdresser when it’s safe.”
“You’ll do no such thing,” Clay said in a growly voice. “I love your hair just the way it is.”
“You’re so sweet.” Misha blinked as if she was trying not to cry.
Although Jasmine was envious of Misha and Bella and the loving interaction with their men, there was no way she’d ever admit that out loud, but tears weren’t something she was comfortable dealing with. Not because she was the “ice bitch” all her work colleagues called her, but because she always ended up in danger of crying in sympathy with the other woman. Again, she wasn’t about to open the closed and locked vault door.
“We have some homework to do,” Jasmine said as she watched Misha inspect the clothes she’d brought the other woman to wear.
Misha set the clothes, wig, and bag on the dining room table. “What homework?”
“You need to use my company credit card to pay my motel bill. They might ask you to sign my name, too.”
Misha frowned. “I hadn’t thought about that.” She turned to the dresser behind her and pulled a paper and pen out of the drawer. “We’d better get started.”
Spence cleared his throat. “We want you both to leave town for a while.”
“No.” Misha crossed her arms under her breasts.
“Definitely not,” Bella said firmly.
“Misha, Bella—” Clay began.
“I’m not letting this asshole chase me away from my home.” Misha scowled.
“Ditto,” Bella agreed.
“Damn it to hell.” Clay spun away and began to pace.
Jasmine opened her mouth to try and get the women to see reason.
Misha pointed at her. “Don’t bother. We aren’t leaving.”
Jasmine sighed with resignation and shut her mouth again. She took the pen and paper from Misha and started signing her name.
Chapter Four
The drive toward the ranch seemed to take much longer than usual. Cooper shifted restlessly in the driver’s seat and glanced over at Tanner when he sighed.
“Do you think she really meant it when she said she forgave us?” Tanner asked.
“I think so. She sounded sincere. Did you see her checking out my ass?” Coop asked.
“I did. I also caught her looking at my groin.”
“Damn! I missed that.”
“What do you think of the new hair color?” Tanner turned the radio down.
“It suits her, but I liked the other color better. Do you think that red is her natural hair color?” Coop asked.
“No.”
“What do you think it is?”
“You’re shitting me, right?”
Cooper shrugged. He wasn’t stupid, but he wanted Tanner’s confirmation.
“Did you even notice how light her eyelashes and brows were?”
“Of course I did, but who’s to say she didn’t get them dyed that color?” Cooper slowed for the corner.
“She didn’t. She’s a natural blonde.”
“I figured, just wanted your confirmation.” Cooper glanced at Tanner. “Do you think she’s scared of us?”
Tanner scrubbed a hand over his face. “No, but she’s definitely uncomfortable with how we make her feel.”
“How the hell are we supposed to court her when she’s going to be heading back to Washington, D.C.?”
“I don’t know, Coop, but we can’t let her leave without even trying.”
“Yeah, but I’m not sure she’s going to give us a chance to get near her for a kiss, let alone a relationship with her.”
“I’d like to see you try.” Tanner grinned.
“What?”
“Kiss her. She’ll probably use her karate on you and set you on your ass.”
“Nah,” Coop chuckled. “What is she? Five one, five two at the most? I have to outweigh that little girl by two hundred pounds. I have almost a foot and a half on her, as well. There’s no way she’d be able to put me down.”
“Famous last words, Coop. You owe me fifty bucks if she does.”
“You’re on, but for shit’s sake don’t tell her we’re betting on her,” Cooper said.
“Why? You scared you’re gonna lose?” Tanner asked.
“Not a chance in hell,” Cooper replied, but he wasn’t sure if he believed what he’d just spouted. He’d seen the toned muscles in Jasmine’s arms when she’d worn short sleeves. He licked his lips as he imagined running his hands over all the soft, smooth skin starting at her feet.
He’d seen Jasmine in slacks and jeans, but he would love to see her slender legs in shorts. What would be better was seeing her totally naked, but he wasn’t sure that was ever going to happen in his lifetime.
“There’s Dawson and Kent. They probably have Misha hiding in the back of the truck.” Tanner waved as their other friends drove by.
“Wonder if she was able to learn Jasmine’s signature,” Cooper mused.
“It probably won’t even matter. So many people never even check to see if the signature on the back of a credit card is right.”
“That’s true. As long as they get paid, they don’t care.”
“Do you think Clay would let us stay here instead of them?” Tanner speculated.
“You mean swap houses?”
“Exactly. If he and Spence wear hats to shield their faces and Misha wears the wig, we could be here with Jasmine and the others would still have their privacy. We’re roughly the same size. No one would be able to see their eyes and the hats would cover their hair color.”
Cooper turned onto the ranch driveway, excitement and hope coursing through his veins. If Clay, Spence, and Misha agreed, maybe he and Tanner would have a chance to woo Jasmine after all.
“You’re devious, you know that?”
“I had a good teacher.” Tanner pinned his gaze o
n Cooper.
“Hopefully, after dinner and a glass of wine or two, she will be more relaxed,” Cooper said as he parked the truck in front of their house. “We need to let her know what we want with her before we make a move.”
Coop followed Tanner up the steps toward the front door. As soon as they were showered, they would be heading to Clay and Spence’s place. The more time they were in Jasmine’s presence, the faster she would get used to them being around.
Coop took the fastest shower on record, eager to see Jasmine. Seconds later Tanner joined him at the front entry, and after donning their Stetsons, they headed out. It took only a few minutes for them to arrive at Clay’s house, and Coop rubbed his hands together nervously. He’d never felt so out of his element before, but he was going to try and keep from fucking up again. He had a feeling if he screwed up one more time that Jasmine wouldn’t give him the light of day. Even now, after weeks of working together, she hardly ever looked him and Tanner in the eye, but that wasn’t so with the other men. That fact gave him hope that she would give him and his best friend a chance at being with her. She surely felt the attraction between the three of them, but she was stubborn and was trying to ignore it. It was time for him and Tanner to let her know what was what. He just hoped she didn’t laugh in his face or try and deck him.
“You ready?” Tanner asked, standing at the front door with his hand on the handle.
“As I’ll ever be.” Cooper drew a deep breath and pushed his nervous excitement down deep. He and Tanner needed to approach Jasmine as if she was a mission but also as if she was a skittish filly. Hopefully, by night’s end, she would be in his arms.
Coop followed Tanner inside, through the entry and toward the kitchen. He bumped into Tanner’s back when he stopped dead in the doorway to the kitchen. His heart flipped, and his cock twitched when he saw and heard Jasmine laughing. It was the best sound he’d ever heard. Not once in the whole time she’d been in Cody had he heard her laugh, let alone seen her smile, at least not when he and Tanner were around. She was so serious all the time, but she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever set eyes on, but it wasn’t just her good looks that drew him. She acted so tough and always seemed to be calm and in control, but there was vulnerability to her, too. As much as she tried to keep her emotions at bay, he’d seen the sad wistful glances she’d given his friends as they interacted with their women. He’d caught a glimpse of longing in her gaze before she seemed to realize she was staring as the other couples. Within the blink of an eye, all emotion had been wiped from her gaze.
Cooper had hated hurting her earlier in the day and though he still felt a little guilty was glad she’d accepted his and Tanner’s apologies. However, when she’d glared at them for calling her ma’am, there had been such fire and such passion in her blue eyes. She was also a very caring woman. When she’d questioned Bella and Misha about their time being in the hands of the serial killer, she’d been gentle with both women. She hadn’t acted like some of the agents he’d dealt with. He’d seen compassion and understanding in her gaze, and once he’d thought he’d seen a sheen of tears in her eyes.
Jasmine might act like she didn’t care, but he knew better. She cared way more than she’d ever admit.
Coop pushed his thoughts aside as Jasmine’s laughter rolled over his skin causing goose bumps.
She had a soft musical voice, but there was a husky note that just seemed to grab hold of his balls every time she spoke. Her laughter would have put an orchestra to shame. He had a feeling that Jasmine could sing, and though the urge to ask her was strong, he kept his mouth shut. He didn’t want her laughter to stop, but she must have felt him and Tanner watching her because the musical sound ceased, and as she turned her head in their direction, the gleam of humor in her eyes waned. She’d gone from happy and relaxed to closed off and uptight within the blink of an eye.
He hated that she clammed up when he and Tanner were close to her and wanted to know why. Surely, she didn’t think they’d ever do anything to hurt her physically or emotionally. Well, not on purpose. He and Tanner were human, and since neither of them had ever had a long term relationship with a woman, they were going to fuck up like they already had. If she agreed to be with them, they were going to have to warn her they weren’t infallible. They were men after all, and what man totally understood a woman?
“Hey, guys, you want a beer?” Clay asked as he spun toward the fridge.
“Yeah, thanks.” Coop shoved Tanner away from the entrance and walked slowly toward where Jasmine was sitting at the counter. He took the stool on one side of her while Tanner took the seat on the other side. She kept her gaze straight ahead on Clay when he turned back from the fridge.
“You want another one, Jas?”
“Please.”
Her cheeks flushed with a light pink, and she licked her lips. Coop didn’t need to be told that she was aware of him and Tanner. He was good at reading body language. However, there were times when Jasmine was hard to read, and he wondered if that was because of her job. Being an agent would have been as difficult as being a Ranger. She would have had to push all emotions aside to do her job, especially if she’d had to shoot someone. He just couldn’t see her not being affected by that. He and Tanner hated killing as much as any other person, but sometimes it was a necessity. That didn’t mean he never regretted taking a life, but he’d never reveal that fact to another person. Cooper mentally snickered to himself. He was getting downright sappy.
“What?” Jasmine scowled at him.
“What, what?” Coop winked and smiled.
Jasmine’s scowl changed to a frown, and he was sure he saw amusement in her gaze, but that was the only indication she found his question funny.
“What the hell are you staring at?” she asked acerbically.
“A gorgeous woman,” Coop answered immediately and sincerely.
He had to bite his tongue so he wouldn’t laugh when her mouth gaped open and her eyes widened with what looked like surprise. How could she not know they were attracted to her? They’d been eying her body over from day one. Was she playing with them? No. She wasn’t the type of woman to play games. Maybe she thought they just wanted to get into her pants. Although he did want to make love with Jasmine, he wanted so much more. He wanted everything with her. Marriage, kids, the works.
“Well, stop it. You’re making me uncomfortable.” She turned her gaze to Clay. “What can I do to help with dinner?”
“Everything’s done, Jas. Misha prepared all the food before we even got home from work.”
“That reminds me,” Tanner began, nudging Jasmine’s shoulder gently with his arm. “Did Misha manage to copy your signature?”
“For the most part,” Jasmine said. “It wouldn’t hold up under close scrutiny, but she’ll do.”
“Are Dawson and Kent staying with her while she drives your car back here?” Coop asked and then glanced at Clay when he snorted. “What?”
“You’re getting downright chatty in your old age.” Clay smirked.
“Hey!”
Tanner chuckled. “You can’t refute that, old man. You’re the oldest.”
“Fuck you, Tanner,” Coop shot back.
“No thanks, you’re not my type.” Tanner fluttered his eyelashes at Coop.
He rolled his eyes but then gazed at Jasmine when she giggled. She slapped her hand over her mouth and then made a half-snort choking sound. Her eyes watered, and then she began coughing.
Cooper took the opportunity to rub her back. His belly fluttered with excitement when she didn’t pull away.
“You okay, love?” Tanner asked, stroking a hand over her head and long black hair.
Jasmine nodded, coughed again, and then waved them away. “I’m fine.” She slid from her stool and walked away. Cooper stood and hurried across to the kitchen entrance, peeking around the corner to see where she was going. He hurried back to the counter after she’d closed the bathroom door.
“Want to swap houses with
us?” Coop asked Clay.
Clay smiled and then chuckled. “I’ll need to ask Spence and Misha, but it sounds good to me. We have plenty of room without disrupting our privacy, though. If the others want to stay here, you can just bunk in the spare rooms at the other end of the house. You know she’s going to pitch a fit, right?”
“I wouldn’t expect anything less.”
Tanner combed his fingers through his hair. “How long before Misha gets back? And where the hell is Spence?”
“I’m right here, asshole.”
Coop turned toward the glass sliding door off the dining area. He couldn’t believe he hadn’t even noticed one of his friends was out on the back deck, but then he’d also had other things on his mind. Namely Jasmine.
“I heard your question,” Spence said as he skirted the kitchen counter and grabbed a beer from the fridge. “My answer is yes, as long as Misha agrees.”
“Fair enough.” Tanner nodded.
Clay looked at his phone when it vibrated. “Bella and the others are on their way. You may as well start cooking the meat.”
Spence nodded and pointed to Coop and Tanner. “You two can help carry it all out.”
Coop and Tanner slid from their stools and took the platters of raw marinated meat that Spence passed to them.
“Are you having more guests?” Jasmine asked as she came back into the room.
“No.” Clay grinned and then flexed his bicep. “We’re big men and need to eat a lot.”
“You’re not kidding,” Jasmine muttered. “Let me help.”
“You can set the table,” Spence suggested.
“I can do that. Are we eating inside or out?” Jasmine glanced toward the glass door and shivered.
Coop wondered if she was regretting her decision to be bait, but he wasn’t about to ask.
“Your choice,” Clay said, gazing at Jasmine. He must have seen her reaction, too.
Jasmine’s chest rose as she inhaled, and she straightened her shoulders as if shoring up her determination. “Outside it is.”
Coop glanced over to see Tanner frowning in Jasmine’s direction, but she had already turned her back to them as she went to get the silverware. He sighed with frustration and carried the plates of meat out to Spence, who was already waiting at the hot barbecue. Tanner set the plate of meat he was holding on the table off to the side where Coop had just set his. They both turned toward the glass door when Jasmine came out with silverware in her hand.
