Page 39 of Undertow

The call with Merrick was successful last night. After his initial expletive-laced tirade, I managed to convince him this reversal was actually a good thing.

Spying for the Hartfords will fast-track their trust in me and get me into the inner circle quickly. Plus, if we play this right, it gives us control over them and their perceptions. I told him to go back to McArthur and determine what information they want to feed to their enemies.

That call went great.

The transfer of my belongings to Julia’s house the following morning did not.

“Do you need a ride to the gate?” she asks in the same stiff tone I’ve gotten since my arrival an hour ago.

I shake my head, looking appropriately meek for my crime. “No, I’ll take the shuttle.”

She nods, turning abruptly to refill her mug. “You want some?”

Her tone says,say yes so I can dump scalding hot coffee on your head.

“Mine’s still full. Thanks, though.”

I find it interesting she’s so miffed by my “betrayal” when her own affections were supposed to be staged. More evidence our chemistry is real.

More evidence that you did the right thing in backing off.

Our gazes, though…

Haven’t.

Whenever she thinks I’m not looking, her eyes track my every movement. Tracing my body in a way her fingers can’t. I’ve been stripped many times in many ways, but never with a single look.

For my part, I’ve cataloged every detail of her tiny shorts and the shiny skin beneath them. She probably wore that tight crop top just to torture me, and my gullible mind has logged and analyzed each tantalizing curve it exposes.

Good thing my fictional partner isn’t in the room or she’d be incredibly jealous.

Julia sighs and straightens from the counter. “Okay look. For this to work, we have to be civil to each other.”

She seems sincere. Back to the responsible, mature leader her profile said she’d be. We’ve been playing so many games with each other, I’m not even sure I’ve seen her real persona yet.

She takes a sip of her coffee and raises her brows. “Think you can handle that?”

“I didn’t realize I was beinguncivil,” I say, releasing a half-smile as a peace offering.

She returns it, softening slightly from her warrior stance. “Okay, well, in public I guess we should still hold hands. We don’t have to do more than that, but we have to sell the lie so no one suspects we’re together for any other reason.”

I lift my cup, igniting at the way she stares with intense precision at my lips hitting the rim. Heat flares in her eyes. Her gaze drops to my shirt, then my arms. Is she imagining me naked? She’s picturing something besides what’s in front of her,and my blood sears with vivid recall of her aggressive hands. Fuck, I want them on me right now.

I grip the mug tighter, forcing my body to calm down.

“What other reason would we be together?” I ask casually. “Would they suspect you’d be spying on them?”

There. A flinch.

“You know what I mean. I was just reiterating the plan.”

I hold her stare long enough to send the message that I’m not convinced. She averts her gaze, and I lean against the island.

“Why am I really going undercover?” I ask in a serious tone. “I’m taking a huge risk to do this for you. The least you can do is be honest with me.”

She shifts uncomfortably. “It’s the right thing to do. The authorities?—”

“Julia, come on. You know I’m not an idiot. Theauthorities?Really?”