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“Hey,” he says. For a split second, I assume he’s talking to me but then he continues with his phone conversation. “I think I’m back in her good graces.”
My ears perk up at this. Is he talking about Amelia? Who is he and what does he want with her?
I pull out my phone, typing away at nothing while I follow him down the sidewalk at a distance.
“I know, I told you I’d prove myself and I will. Tell me what I need to do,” the man says. “No, he hasn't spoken to me for a couple of months.”
Walking with a fake limp, I let him get a few more feet ahead of me.
Something yanks at the back of my shirt. It’s not enough force to pull me back, but it catches me mid-stride and I lose my balance. My attacker uses my momentum against me, spinning with me into the wall.
“What th—”
Amelia grips my shirt and presses in closer. “Now who's following who?”
I want to push her off, but I also find her move insanely sexy. I’m not sure how this woman keeps getting the best of me, but currently, I don’t hate it.
“Who was that man?” I ask instead.
She glances around my arm at the man vanishing down a side street and her eyes dim. “My ex-fiancé. See, it’s not that hard to answer a question. Now answer mine. Why were you trailing me, Agent Harris?”
I clear my throat. “I was making sure you got home okay.”
She presses in closer and her sweet scent floats up to my nose, disabling me in a way only she is capable of. “Why is that?”
She knows she has the upper hand. And that’s the reason relationships are risky. I have to be in control of the situation so no one gets hurt, and I can’t remain in control if my heart is beating at unnatural speeds, ready to drop everything for a chance to kiss her again.
I grab her hands and spin her around until she’s the one trapped, her right arm above her head. Her quick intake of breath nearly does me in. But I have to stay strong. She’s an innocent civilian. And she deserves to know it’s not her, it’s me.
“Amelia,” my voice comes out gruffer than I intended. “We can’t do this. I can’t do this. For so many reasons. But mostly because I don’t want to hurt you.” No matter how much I may want to, I don't add.
“Everyone hurts each other.” She breathes out.
I shake my head, my hand releases hers and it falls to her side. Not me. I’m paid to protect people. “That’s not my job.”
She studies me with those blue eyes that plague my dreams then arches up on her toes, leaning into me. “When you finally decide you want me, I’m not going to make it easy for you.” She brushes her lips against the bottom of my jaw and I clench my hands at my sides to keep from grabbing her again. I need to get her home where she’s safe…from me.
“Time for you to go.” I take another step away, for her safety or mine, I’m not sure anymore.
“Yes, sir.” She salutes me, but then she extends her arm, dropping it over my shoulder. “But you’re not fooling me, Agent Harris, you have feelings for me.”
I’m not trying to fool her, I’m trying to fool myself.
I tell Amelia I’ll follow her home, but once she’s safely in her apartment I can’t make myself leave and I sit in the parking lot in my black sedan for nearly an hour.
What is this woman doing to me? Why do I care so much if she’s safe? Why do I provoke her to see her smile and hear her laugh?
Because my stupid heart has gone rogue and developed feelings for her.
I barely register calling Ward until he answers with a curt hello.
“Caleb? You there?”
“Yeah, sorry man.” I rub a hand over my rough cheeks, eyes flitting back to the bright front window of Amelia’s apartment. I wonder when she sleeps. “I was just, uh, calling to check in.”
“No, you’re not. I saw you two hours ago.”
Right. Has it only been two hours? “Maybe I needed to hear the cheerful voice of my oldest friend.”