Secret Agent Santa

Clasping the back of his neck, he massaged the tight muscles on either side. “Can you show me the videos today?”

“They’re at a bank in Maryland.”

“Why didn’t you take me there right away?”

“I wanted to feel you out first. I wanted to see if I could trust you.”

“Why wouldn’t you be able to trust me? Lola’s husband sent me out here.”

She lodged the tip of her tongue in the corner of her mouth and studied his face, her violet gaze meandering from the top of his head to his chin. “I was waiting for you to jump up and down and call me crazy, or worse, talk to me like a child and humor me.”

“And?” Her inventory of his face had kindled a slow-burning heat in his belly. If she brought this same level of intensity to bed, she might be the best lay he ever had.

Lola had teased him that her friend’s attractiveness would make it difficult for him to concentrate on the job, but he’d shrugged off the warning since a pretty face had never posed a threat to his professionalism before.

Until now. The combined effect of Claire’s beauty, sympathetic story, passion and those eyes created a combustible mix that had hit him like a thunderbolt.

He cleared his throat and repeated his question. “And?”

“And you didn’t do either one of those things. You don’t believe me and you do feel pity for me, but you’re a man of honor and you’re here to do a job.” She leveled a finger at him. “I respect that.”

He ran a hand across his stubble, wishing he’d shaved this morning and wondering where he’d misplaced his poker face. Did she just nail that, or what?

“I want to see those videos.” He dug his hand into his pocket and pulled out a five-dollar bill, dropping it on the table. “How long is the drive?”

“Less than forty-five minutes.”

“Do we have a way to watch the videos?” He stood up and flicked two more dollars on the table.

“I have a laptop in the back of the car.”

He ushered her outside and flipped up the collar of his jacket against the cold air. He welcomed its bite, which seemed to wake him up from a dream state. He threw a sideways glance at Claire in the hopes that the chilly slap had made her come to her senses.

She charged across the parking lot with more purpose to her gait than when they’d arrived.

He opened the passenger door of the car. “Unless you want to get your laptop out of the trunk.”

“I’ll wait.” She shrugged out of her coat and tossed it in the back before sliding onto the seat.

He settled behind the wheel. “Can you enter the bank’s address in the GPS?”

“I’ll give you directions verbally. I’m very careful about what I enter into my GPS.”

He raised his eyebrows before starting the car. “You said you weren’t on Correll’s radar.”

“For his terrorist ties, but he knows I’ve been snooping around his finances.”

Rolling his eyes, he said, “There are so many threads here, I can’t keep track.”

She laughed and then snapped her fingers in front of his face. “Stay with me here, Mike.”

“You can laugh?” He pulled away from the parking lot.

“If you can’t laugh, you don’t stand a chance in life. I still have a son to raise who doesn’t have a father.”

“You’re definitely putting him on a plane to Colorado tomorrow?”

“He needs to see his grandparents. Shane had brothers and sisters and nieces and nephews, so Ethan will have a big family around him. Besides, I need to get him away from you.”

“Ouch.” He flexed his fingers. “I don’t have kids myself, but I always thought I was pretty good with them. I even coach some youth basketball.”

She touched his arm. “I’m sorry. That didn’t come out right. It’s because you’re so good with Ethan that I want to get him away. Does that make sense?”

“You don’t want him getting attached or overhearing the gossip about us.” He rolled his shoulders.

“Exactly. I could tell he thought you were something special.” She turned her head to look out the window. “You don’t have kids?”

“No.”

“Ever been married?”

“No.”

She jerked her head toward him. “How did that happen?”

He shrugged, all the old familiar excuses curled on his tongue.

Tucking her hair behind her ear, she said, “I suppose your job makes it hard to have a relationship, but even Jack Coburn is happily married with three children.”

“Jack has a desk job now, and that desk is at his home.”

“You’ll be retiring soon. Are you thinking of settling down?”

“With a dog.”

“A dog?”

“That’s all I can handle.”

Her warm laugh had a smile tugging at his lips. Let her think he was joking.

“What kind of dog? Not a little froofy one?”

“Probably a Lab—basic, uncomplicated.”

“I didn’t know dogs could be complicated.” She tapped on the windshield. “You’re going to want to take the next exit.”

Glancing in his mirror and over his shoulder, he moved to the right. As he took the exit, Claire folded her hands in her lap, revealing two sets of white knuckles.