Page 9

Hunt

After the scene with her ex-husband, I drive behind Kelly to the border building. There, I sit in the car and debate whether I should invite myself in.

This morning demonstrated how well she can defend herself. So, what happened last night at dinner? Could it be, the alpha in me wants her to be weak so I can play the hero? Perhaps the reason I kissed her is simpler. I’m simply a lonely guy in need of a hot fuck.

Tired of analyzing my motivations, especially in the cold, I turn the locked handle. When it doesn’t give way, I knock. “Hey, Agent O’Malley, it’s me, Sc—Jack.” Holy crap, I almost gave my real name.

As I reel from my misspeak, she opens the door. “Don’t you have some animals to study?”

My hands ache to touch her. Instead, I backpedal a bit. “I would, but first, I have to talk to you… Please.”

Frowning, she raises her gaze to mine. For a moment, she says nothing but steps aside. “Fine. Come in.”

Inside, I help myself to a cup of coffee while she crosses her arms. “If you’re waiting for me to thank you, don’t hold your breath.”

I chuckle. “I figured as much. I didn’t like the way he assumed we were sleeping together.”

“Yeah, well, if he were a decent human being, I wouldn’t’ve divorced him, right? So, why are you here?”

The silence looms. As we stare into each other’s eyes, the black centers of hers widen. Licking her lower lip, she plays with her hair. I don’t need an FBI course in body language to know she’s interested. The question is, if I call her out, will she act on her desire, or will she toss me on my ear?

While we’re stuck in the moment, the sun rises a degree through the front window and reflects on a tiny object placed on the paneling above the cabinets.

“For chrissakes.” I place a finger over her lips before leading her outside. “There’s a surveillance camera in your back wall.”

Eyes round, her jaw drops. “What? Are you saying someone is spying on me?”

Biting my tongue, I remind myself I’m not a Fed. I’m supposed to work for the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. “It might not be you. It could be Jeremy or your boss, Dante.”

Her face scrunches up. “Just a damn minute. How did you know it was there?”

“I didn’t until the sunlight caught the lens.” My logical explanation does nothing to erase the doubt etched on her face.

“Bullshit. Who are you? Wait, don’t tell me—the suit, the wool coat, the traipsing around in camouflage. God, I am such an idiot. You’re internal affairs.”

“Nope. You’re way off base.” Cupping her cheeks, I bring my lips so near to Kelly’s mouth, we almost touch. “I need you to be quiet. Trust me, for one second, okay? Can you do that?”

Shivering, she nods, halving the distance. No longer able to resist, I brush my lips across hers. Moaning, she slips her fingertips under my ears, which kickstarts my cock. When I tilt my head to deepen the kiss, she delights me by thrusting her tongue deep.

It’s only a little smooch, and yet I want to strip off her clothes. When we break for air, it takes a moment to reboot reality. Lifting her hair, I press her body to the door and grind my want into her arched pelvis. “I’m going to drag you inside and hope whoever’s watching will believe we’re about to fuck.”

“I suppose I could try to act like I’m attracted to you.” She wraps her long legs around my waist.

Groaning, I place my left hand under her butt, carrying her to the bathroom. “We need to make certain there’s no surveillance in here.”

Her hands rub up and down her arms while she cranes her neck toward the drop ceiling. “Surely, no one would—”

“We’ve no idea who we’re dealing with.” After I plant a kiss on her frown, I continue my search.

Finding nothing, I slide her hair away from her ear, then lean in. “Speak quietly. There could be mics.”

Eyes widening, she palms my unshaven cheeks. “Who are you, really?”

I could lose my job, but circumstances have changed. The way I see it, I have no choice but to let her in on the operation. “I’m FBI. The president wants an accurate count of people coming over the border. No more. No less.”

Mouth skewing, she shakes her head. “Seriously?”

“Yup.” I nod and pop the ‘p’.

“That’s it. The truth.” I leave out the Iranians because I haven’t yet decided how to deal with them.

“And the camera? Was that your doing?” Her accusation cuts deep, but I can hardly blame her.

“No, babe.”

Closing her eyes, she scowls. “If we remove it, they’ll know we’re onto them. Until we figure out the who and the why, we should leave it be.”

“Agreed.” As the tension in my shoulders fades away, she slides from my grasp and pokes my chest.

“So, why leave Homeland out of your Federal count-fest?” The fluorescent light buzzes overhead while I try to invent a valid reason to keep her out of the woods.

“It’s not safe.” The instant the words exit my mouth, I know I’m screwed.

Her grimace tightens. “I’m the border agent, babe . It’s my job.”

She can give me all the attitude she wants, but I’m not changing my mind. “We’ll talk about it. By the way, my real name is Scott Hunter. Everyone calls me Hunt.”