Page 25 of Rescued By the Operative

If any other random hookup showed up at my favorite coffee spot and called me sweetheart, what would I do? Roll my eyes and blow him off.

So that’s what I’ll have to do.

He presses, “What are you doing here, sunshine?”

I glance over my shoulder but don’t give him anything. “Getting coffee, what are you doing here?”

“Same as you.”

I smirk. “You must be one thirsty cowboy.”

“Of course I’m thirsty,” he murmurs, making the hairs stand up on the back of my neck. “It’s been a month. Why didn’t you text me?”

“Do we really have to do this now? My Uber is taking me to the doctor in 15 minutes.”

“Doctor? What do you need the doctor for? Is something wrong?”

This is a lie, of course. My boss is right outside, and I have to report for my shift at the compound in 20 minutes.

“Ma’am, is this man bothering you?”

“No. Thanks, Nate. I got this.”

I wait for Nate to get distracted before I question Jake.

“You want another hookup, is that it?”

“No. Well, yes, but not just that.”

“You want to get me alone again?”

He’s growing impatient with me. “I wanted to do something I didn’t get to do with you last time.”

“Sorry, buddy, I don’t have time for another handsie.”

“Nah. That ain’t it. I wanna kiss you.”

Kiss me?

I swallow. “Why would you want to kiss me?”

“Doesn’t it sound fun?”

“Sounds like a distraction, is what it sounds like,” I say.

“Yeah,” he says, leaning in close to my ear. “But that’s what makes it fun.”

His breath wafts over the curls on the back of my neck, and I shiver.

“I have a lot of responsibilities weighing on me, cowboy. So many you can’t begin to understand.”

“Next thing you’re gonna tell me is you’re not allowed to blow off steam once in a while.”

“We already did that.”

He laughs. “Yeah, but I like you and you like me, and we should get to know each other better.”

“Kissing isn’t getting to know me.”