Page 51 of Harmless Secrets

“You were always jealous of him.”

“First, there would have to be a reason for me to be jealous of him and there is not. I’m not any more attracted to you than you are to me.” She snorted. “And with my current troubles, do you really think I need another bloody American in my life?”

Sean smiled.

“Randy. Ugh. Was that his name or a reference to his inability to control his libido?”

“His name. And I work with him from time to time along with Jaime Alexander.”

She looked at him. “You’re working with two of your old lovers? Sean, that’s just wrong.”

“You were always too much of a prude. We’re just working together.” He looked out over the water. “Besides, the two of them are together now.”

She sensed something else in his expression. “Oh, Sean, why do you do that to yourself? You always let people hurt you.”

He shoved his hands in his pockets and sighed. “Let’s not go over old news, Alicia.”

“I just wish you would settle down and be happy.”

“I don’t think you have any room to judge me, Alicia.”

She shrugged. “I’ve been a bit busy.”

He said nothing for a long moment. “So, you and Stryker?”

“He was the job. I was looking for my father and Devon was the only clue I found.”

She sensed his glance.

“Is that a fact?”

“Yes.”

“And, how did he get away?”

Because she’d fallen asleep in his arms and didn’t want to end the fantasy. And leave it to Sean to pick up on that. “He ran off before I could question him.”

“Alicia Hughes, you’re lying.” Amusement filled his voice.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You used a honey trap on him. Then, you just let him get away?”

“Yes.”

He gave her a look that said he didn’t believe her. “How did you hook back up?”

“He saw us.”

“Us?”

Dammit. She had lost her edge over the last few years. “Us. Me and Bridget.”

“Bridget.”

She finally turned to face him. “Okay. See, I used the honey trap, and we used protection and I was on the pill, but I ended up pregnant. Father died right after that night and I was on the run. I was pretty far along before I realized what was happening.”

“Wait, slow down. You’re a mother? You can’t be a mother.”

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