Deegan tried his best to keep his eyes off Kiersten’s ass as they climbed the stairs of the B&B in Folklore, after all he was a red-blooded man who knew exactly what she looked like under those slacks. She intrigued and frustrated him all at the same time. Made him feel incompetent. Made him want her so damn bad that he couldn’t think clearly.
From the second he was introduced to her he’d wanted her. He’d tried without success to not want her, to keep their relationship in the work zone, but every time she walked into the room his gaze naturally found her. From the way her dark hair fell to her shoulders in large waves, her fascinating smile or the way she worked her bottom lip when she was concerned or thoughtful. She’d always been professional, almost snooty, until the New Year’s Eve party when he’d been floored when things had taken a turn. They’d ended up down a dark, empty hallway, going at each other like two raving lunatics, tearing at each other’s clothes until he’d finally dragged her into a shadowed conference room and bent her over the table where he took her fast and hard. What probably should have been the hottest five-minute encounter of his lifetime turned into an all-nighter back at his place that left an impression in him that would last years.
Up until earlier when he’d pulled off the highway, he’d believed that she didn’t think of that night and didn’t want more too until he saw that look in her eyes. Like the look on New Year’s Eve. The one that lured him in and crushed all his defenses.
Unfortunately, no woman made him feel these same things. He’d tried to get her out of his brain, her scent off his skin, but no other woman came close. He was left semi-satisfied with the others. Left wanting more than just a sexual encounter. He needed all his molecules enlightened. There came a point in a man’s life when he needed to look at his future with a skeptical eye and where he wanted to be. Deegan had been doing a lot of thinking lately and there was a huge void in front of him that he needed to fill.
Once they were inside the room with the door closed, she turned on him and crossed her arms, tapping the toe of her boot. “Now tell me why you made out to the woman at the desk that we’re a couple?”
“I booked the room before I knew you were coming with me and we both know how small towns are.”
“And how are small towns?”
“We have to fit in. They won’t give us any information about Mont if they think we’re Feds. That’s where my plan comes into play.”
“Plan?” She tilted her head in question.
“Maybe we should grab something to eat. I’m hungry. I wonder if they have room service here.” He dropped his bag on the bed and searched around for a menu.
“Don’t try to change the subject. Food can wait. I cannot.”
“Why are you so uptight?”
She pursed pink, glossy lips. “What you call uptight, I call mindful.”
He blew out a long breath. “We’re a couple visiting this amazing town. No one will be suspicious. Come on, it’s not like you haven’t worked undercover before.”
Her eyes narrowed. “I didn’t agree to this.”
The room contained a queen-sized bed, dresser, and a TV. He finally found the menu on the nightstand and busied himself reading through the list. “With any luck we’ll only have to play these roles for a few hours and we can head back home.” He flashed what he hoped was a bright, good-natured smile when inside he was thinking about how good she looked and the one bed in the center of the room. That would give her all the reason she needed to stay clear of him, and that wasn’t what he wanted.
She dropped her arms to her sides. “Don’t get any ideas that this is anything more than an assignment.”
“A man and woman can be in the same room, alone, and not have thoughts of depraved sex, but maybe you’re worried that you can’t control yourself.”
Her lashes fluttered lower. “Trust me, I can handle myself. I was just simply making the rules clear.”
“Do you like grilled cheese?” He looked at her above the menu. “Or a BLT? Those are basically your two choices.”
She was still looking at him in confusion and working that lower lip like it was candy. When she shoved her hands into her back pockets and shifted her feet, he realized her agitation had come back. “You had this planned all along, didn’t you?”
“No.” Her gaze penetrated him. He should feel mortification that all he wanted to do was dive into her cleavage, but he didn’t. A man could want what he couldn’t have. “I had no clue you’d come with me. We’ll fit in better as a couple. You even have that expression that my mom gives to my dad when she’s upset. You’re good at this.”
Her hands came up in frustration. “I’m catching the next bus home.” She swiveled and started for the door, but he was quicker and blocked her path. “Get out of my way! I’m not staying in this room and pretending we’re a couple.”
“Why are you afraid of me?” he asked in a lowered voice.
She blinked. “I’m not afraid of you.” Her irises widened, betraying her words.
“I’d never do anything to put you at risk or pressure you into something you don’t want to do.” He reached up to brush away a strand of hair latched onto her cheek, but he caught himself and dropped his hand to his side, clenching it into a fist. “It’s like any assignment. Sometimes we do things we don’t want to do…or things we secretly wish we could do. If you really want to go home, I’ll give you the keys to my truck.”
She brought her chin up. He could practically see her thoughts turning through her eyes. “I’m hoping you didn’t bring me here under false pretenses.”
He swiped a hand down his jaw, grinning. “Now who has the ego? I’m not desperate, sweetheart. I get it. We had one night together that meant nothing more than a blip in space. For someone who preaches professionalism, you should try acting upon it. You want to keep accusing me of being stuck on that night when I think we both know you’re the one who can’t get over it but can’t admit it.”
“Wouldn’t you like to think so. I mean, sure, it was a good time, but I’ve moved on. In fact, I moved on with the man you saw me with at the restaurant.” She shrugged.
“The yuppie? The one who didn’t stay to eat his pizza? He looked like he’d just lost his puppy when he walked away. Yeah, some relationship.” He chuckled. “Admit it. You broke it off with him.”
“This isn’t any of your business. I’m just trying to prove that you’re wrong. I’m capable of keeping my head in the assignment.”
He took a step back, reeling from the emotions she erupted in him. “We’re here now. Let’s do this. How about we get out of this room, grab lunch because I need more substance than bread with cheese. We can ask around, and with any luck, we’ll be heading back to Cheyenne by evening with some clues to this case.”
“Fine, Deegan. If we’re working this case together though, then we need to decide ‘together’ how we’re doing this. That’s not too much to ask.”
“I forgot. You always like to be in control.” He dropped down on the bed and the mattress springs squeaked loudly which received a look of disapproval from her. He leaned against the headboard and stretched his legs, crossing his ankles. “Okay then, how do you think we should handle this?”
Several seconds floated by. “Fine, you’re right that we will fit in better as a couple. We’re getting out there and finding this woman, and the second we have our questions answered we’re getting out of Folklore. Not a second later. Got it?”
“Then let’s not waste any time.” He climbed from the bed, opened the door and ushered her out. When they took the last step of the stairs onto the first floor, he placed his hand on the small of her back and they headed for the desk. He bent and said close to her ear, “Put a smile on your face, Cade. At least pretend you like my touch a little.”
“Stick it where the sun doesn’t shine, Bronx,” she seethed.
“Now that’s a thought.”
*
As they approached the customer service desk, Kiersten had to work hard to keep a smile on her face while Deegan’s hand stayed pressed on the small of her back. She wanted to swat it away, but the pert, blue-eyed blonde desk worker lifted her head, watching them.
“Is everything okay with your room?” she asked.
“Yes, Sandy, it’s lovely,” Kiersten said. “We’re wanting to get out and do some sightseeing and grab some lunch. Do you have any recommendations?”
“There’s a deli right down the street that serves a variety of subs, or Mila’s Grille that is a few blocks south. You can’t go wrong with the pulled pork. And Mila makes a signature sweet potato souffle that’ll remind you of Thanksgiving.” She reached under the desk and produced several coupons. “And for our guests. Special discounts.”
“Thank you.” Deegan took the coupons. “What would you like, dearest? A sub or meat?” He nuzzled her cheek.
Her throat constricted. “Oh, I’ll leave it up to you, snookums.” She patted his cheek a little too hard.
“You two are so adorable,” Sandy gushed.
Kiersten thought she’d be sick.
She and Deegan walked out together, his hand remaining at her waist.
“Watch your hand,” she whispered.
“I’m just wanting to be convincing.”
“How convincing would it be if you lose that hand?”
She spotted his smile, but he did drop his hand.
The town reminded her a lot of her home town. Benches lined the sidewalks, quaint shops housed in historical brick buildings, and passersby raising their hands in greeting. There were times she missed home, missed her brothers because their lives were taking them in different directions. The last time she visited, her mom had announced that she had a heart condition and Kiersten worried Beatrice wasn’t taking good enough care of herself.
Since Kiersten was moving back on the family ranch temporarily while her house was being finished, she’d make sure her ma was listening to the doctor’s advice.
They chose Mila’s Grille and her stomach growled at the welcoming smell of a firepit and smoky barbecue as they were shown to a table close to the window. There were only a couple other late-lunch patrons and, as she would have expected, they stared as she and Deegan passed. He couldn’t be missed. At six foot two and two hundred pounds of lean muscle and good looks, he caught many an eye, including hers. At five-eight herself, she’d always liked tall men who were independent and self-confidant. Although she’d bitterly pointed out to him earlier, she thought he put others in danger, what she left out was that he was a damn good Fed. She’d recently recommended him for a promotion that would put them at equal levels, but she couldn’t tell him.
Since he’d been transferred into her unit, he’d proven time and again that he could bring home any criminal who crossed his path.
Working undercover put his life in danger. Agent’s had been killed in the line of duty, which was another reason why she didn’t date other badges. It was imperative that an agent could leave work at work and enjoy life on their days off. An agent very seldom could shut down but put two badges together and it was impossible.
Once they were seated and had ordered, Kiersten said, “So, where do we start?”
“She’s out there somewhere. She’s worked as a waitress so I’d say she stayed in the same career.”
“That should narrow it down some. Do you have a picture of her?” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a mug shot. “She’s been arrested?”
“Petty crimes.” He turned the picture upside down just before the waitress passed.
“I think we’ll get farther if we divide up. I can visit the shops. In a town this size with fewer opportunities for work, she may be working in one.”
The waitress brought their meals and he waited to say, “I’ll do a deeper search in public records. We just need to be careful that we don’t draw attention to ourselves. We don’t know if she’ll talk to us.”
Kiersten nodded and bit into her cheeseburger, following it with a sip of sweet tea. “Let’s meet up at the B&B in, let’s say, two hours. That should give us enough time to come up with something.”