Page 15 of Taken With Trouble

“It was only a small glimpse, I promise. Then I closed my eyes like a proper gentleman.”

“A gentleman?” My voice is nearing hysterical. “You are the furthest thing from a gentleman.”

I take off after him, and he sprints around the couch. “As sexy as I find this little game of cat and mouse, we are going to be late. We can wrestle later. Deal?”

Oh, I will. Not wrestle… but punch him in his perfectly cut jawline.

I quickly retrieve the bag from the bedroom containing the jewelry box. “Let’s go.”

“Wait, I need to change,” Liam says.

If only he could. “Then I guess you shouldn’t have wasted time watching me.”

“Okay, okay. Wait.” He grabs a bag from a hidden compartment under the couch, and I make a mental note to check there later to see what else he is hiding from me… if I ever step foot in this awful place again.

I stomp past him to the door, but he snatches my wrist, pulling me back. My opposite fist comes up as a natural reaction to counter his attack, but he catches it in his palm. “Easy there, killer.”

He drops my wrist, and his hand slides to my waist, while his other hand slips over my hip and down my leg.

Shock is the only reason it takes me a moment to shove him away. Not because I want to be near him or be touched by him. “Are you frisking me?”

“Do you need to be frisked?” He wiggles his eyebrows. “I’ll let you frisk me next.”

He’s got to be kidding.

“I see you found my razor.” He nods to my chest where I stuffed the razor in my bra.

Does he have laser vision or something?

“Don’t worry, I’ll let you keep it.” His hands slide up my side, his thumb drifting over my hip, my ribs. I try not to shudder. “Was that not a fun search?” he whispers, then leans in until his lips graze my ear. “I do believe we will have fun together, Agent Cruz. Would you like to search me now?”

Against my better judgment, I do. And I do it thoroughly. Not a weapon to be found at his waist, along his toned back, or between his abs. Only when his pecs jump beneath my touch do I realize: he did this on purpose.

I shove his chest. “You’re a pig.”

He laughs and grabs another bag from a spot above the door. “I’ve been called worse.”

Chapter 6

Liam

“We have to makea quick stop,” I say to Serena on our way down to the street.

“I didn’t sign off on that.”

I hold the door open for her. “You didn’t sign off on any of this.”

“Don’t remind me.” She steps on my foot as she walks past, and I do my best not to flinch.

The woman is feisty and stunning—both equally addicting. The extra hassle of bringing her has been completely worth it. I should have kidnapped her sooner. I never realized how lonely my life was until I had to go on the run. Then it got ten times worse.

I continued to check in on my grandfather after I went into hiding. He offered what love and support he could over the phone—which was more than my absentee parents could ever claim—but after his home was broken into, I knew I put him in danger. So I cut off all contact with the one person I care about, except for the once-a-year letter to make sure he’s well.

Now that my name is officially cleared, things can change. I can visit him without fear of risking his safety.

Right after I sort things out with this little bounty. And the beauty beside me.

We reach the café next door, and I stop. “Want a latte?”