Page 51 of The Undercover Cowboy

“Let’s stop pushing our luck and get out of here.”

As they hurried down the corridor out of the executive suite, Nash’s hand was warm against her back. “This is good right?”

“It’s good,” he said. “But don’t get your hopes up just yet.”

“What did Debbi mean that the FBI has the security tapes? They were here?”

“Yeah, that was the meeting Shelby wanted me in here for today.” Nash sighed hard out of his nose. “I can’t say much, but they’re very much interested in things right now.”

“Can they help us nail Blevins?”

Nash shrugged and didn’t answer.

“What type of things are they looking at?” she asked, dying of curiosity.

“I can’t say.”

She had a feeling that he wouldn’t say, but then again they were in the middle of the office where anyone could hear them. “What does that mean for our investigation?”

“My investigation,” he said.

Ouch. But she supposed she deserved that for keeping secrets from him. “Well?” she demanded.

“Nothing changes for Laredo. I’m your VIP. You get me back-area access and I’ll take it from there.”

“There’s something you’re not telling me,” she said.

“How does it feel?”

She winced. “Yeah, not too good.”

He reached down to hold her hand. “You need to trust me so I can trust you.”

She nodded. “I’m getting up the nerve.”

“You?” Nash scoffed. “You’re fearless.”

“Only when the camera is on,” she said.

He turned her to face him, his hands comforting on her upper arms. “You’re a force to be reckoned with and you’re going to help turn this rodeo into one of the greatest in the country.”

She smiled at that image. “That’s a high expectation.”

“Not for you. It’s a piece of cake for someone with your skills.”

“If you say so.” Dolly could almost believe him when she looked into his sincere and caring eyes. She needed to tell him about her escort days so she could move on and concentrate on the stuff that really mattered. But the thought made her stomach churn like a mechanical bull gone haywire. Her throat tightened at the thought of seeing judgment and disgust in his eyes. Stepping into his arms, she laid her head on his chest. It felt so good to be hugged, so good not to have to be the one in control or in charge for a moment. Would Nash protect her and stand by her if she got fired from UPRC if her escort days came up? What if their romance was over before it even got a chance to start? She desperately wanted to believe he would.

“I’ve got to get out of here and work on the information on the drive,” he said. “Keep your head down. Better yet, why don’t you take an early day and work from your apartment or the Winnebago.”

“No,” she said, shaking her head. “I can’t. I’ve got a sponsor coming in this afternoon.”

“Okay. Be safe. I’ll be hanging around Dallas until Shelby gets sick of me. Can I see you tonight?”

“Yeah, I’d like that.” She’d really like that. She’d tell him about the cheerleading uniform she received. If she couldn’t tellhim about Leisure Industries, she could just tell him that the gift made her feel uncomfortable and sexualized. That was mostly the truth. It would be a start.

“Me too,” he said, although he looked a little wistful when he said it. He dropped a quick kiss on her mouth and took a sharp left to get to the elevator.

She wanted to call him back and have him stick around a little longer. Things didn’t seem so bad when he was around, and she didn’t feel as alone and vulnerable. She didn’t think the people who assaulted Blevins would be back, and even if they did, there wasn’t any reason why they would seek her out. But it didn’t feel safe being in the office today.

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