Page 28

The thought shamed me. I shouldn’t look at her only as a woman I found attractive. I should appreciate her exemplary work, admire her brilliance, and as with other agents she and I worked with, attempt to establish a friendship rather than a dalliance.
I walked outside and set five camera mics around the chalet. They were small enough that no one would notice them and had scramblers embedded so if anyone did a sweep for listening devices, they wouldn’t show up.
After returning inside, I took a sip of my now-cold espresso, then set the cup down, vowing to stop flirting with Verity and be more professional.
Tires screeched in my head. Except we were undercover as a newly married couple. How in the hell would I be able to curb my flirtation if I had to keep turning it on and off like a light switch?
“You appear to be in an argument with yourself.”
I hadn’t heard her come out of the bathroom. She stood before me, hair wet, in jeans and a pullover that accentuated her curves. Without makeup, she looked to be about twenty-one and so damned beautiful.
She smoothed her hair with one hand. “Do I have something on my face?” she asked when I didn’t avert my eyes.
“I’m going to say something to you, and I want you to know in advance it’s a compliment I mean in a purely non-flirtatious way.”
“How disappointing.”
I smiled and shook my head. “There you go, busting my balls again.”
“Apologies. What were you going to say?”
“You’re very beautiful, Verity, and your brilliance enhances it.”
Her cheeks flushed, but the smile left her face. “Thank you.”
“It’s hard for you to accept compliments.”
Her eyes met mine, and she raised her chin. “I don’t get many of them.”
“You should.”
“So, um, shall we get back to work?”
“I’llbathenow, then catch up.”
Her smile was back, and damn, if she wasn’t even more gorgeous.
I grabbed some clothes and was on my way into the bathroom when something occurred to me. “Last night, we said we’d arrange for the team to meet. It completely slipped my mind.”
“Would you like me to arrange it?”
“Yes, but have Schön arrive first.”
Verity nodded. “You want to get another read on her.”
“More, I want you to.”
“I’ll make contact,” she offered.
“Excellent idea.”
Once finished with my bath,I grabbed my laptop and joined her at the table. Verity looked up at me. And by up, I mean, her gaze was focused on my hair. As she did, I ran my hand over it.
“I like it better slicked back, the way you have it now,” she commented.
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.” She returned her attention to her computer.