Page 110 of Elusive Promise

"Those other sad situations were on my mind. Thankfully, today was different."

She leaned forward and kissed him, wanting to not just tell him how she felt but also show him. And just like the night before, the sparks went off with one taste, one touch, creating a fever of desire, lit even hotter by the knowledge that they'd almost lost each other.

"Let's take this into the bedroom," Jared said, dragging his mouth away from hers.

"It's so far," she protested, grabbing his shoulders so she could kiss him again.

"We'll make it," he told her, pulling her to her feet.

They hadn't taken one step when a buzzer went off.

She jerked. "What was that?"

"That's the doorbell," he said blankly. "I think—I've never actually heard it."

He picked his gun up from the table where he'd set it and moved over to the intercom. She grabbed her gun, too, acting on instinct, even though it seemed unlikely someone would ring the bell before coming to attack them.

"Yes," Jared said shortly.

"This is Hank at the front desk. You have a visitor. She says her name is Daphne Hill."

Jared sucked in a quick breath. "All right. Send her up."

"Who is Daphne Hill?" she asked, as Jared put his gun back on the counter. "And what does she want?"

"She's my boss. And I have a feeling she wants to fire me."

"Oh." She saw the tension run through his eyes. "I should leave."

"No, I don't want you to go. I'll just worry about you. And I'm sure she knows you're here."

"How did she knowyouwere here? I thought this place was secret."

"I told Gary where I was. He wanted to come over and talk to me later tonight. He must have told Daphne. I'm sure it was under great duress."

A sharp knock came at the door. As Jared went to answer it, she set her gun down, then moved over to stand by the kitchen table.

She didn't know what she'd been expecting, but Daphne Hill was a stunning, tall blonde, who appeared to be in her early forties. She had on a wine-colored knit dress under her black coat, which matched her black, high-heeled boots.

"Jared, you've been a busy boy," Daphne said, as she swept into the room, her assessing gaze immediately falling on Parisa. "Introduce me."

"Parisa Maxwell—Daphne Hill."

"It's nice to meet you, Agent Maxwell," Daphne said.

Parisa shook her hand, not surprised that Daphne's skin was as cool as she was. "You, too," she murmured. "I guess you know who I am."

"Yes, I've spent the last hour with Special Agent Damon Wolfe. I'm up to speed," she said crisply, removing her coat and taking a seat at the table.

"I'll leave you two alone," Parisa offered.

"It's fine," Daphne said with a wave of her hand. "From what I hear you and Jared are thick as thieves. Please sit down."

She took a seat at the far end of the table, leaving Jared to sit next to Daphne.

"You were supposed to report to Langley this morning," Daphne said to Jared.

"If you're up to speed, you know why I didn't make it."

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