Page 3 of The Twilight Theft

I pulled closer to him, increasing contact points and breathing in his cologne. “You going to rat me out?”

“Don’t antagonize him,” said Emmett over the earpiece.

Drew just stood there, looking all serious, not moving. Not separating from me. The former spy was waiting me out.

He knew waiting wasn’t my forte.

How long would he stand there?

“Jayce.” Emmett said my name so purposefully, it was obvious I wouldn’t like what he was about to say. “I want you to tell him we’re not there for Gideon.”

Give that smug jerk info? No way.

Drew took a step, moving us backward like a dance. Another and another until my back touched the wall and he’d sandwiched me in place. That six-inch height difference seemed like a lot more all of a sudden.

I would have pushed against him, but he wouldn’t budge if I tried. No way was I giving him that satisfaction. “You missed the side and together part of the waltz, Downie.”

“I gave you an order.” Emmett’s voice grew sharper. “Follow it.”

Drew exhaled slowly. “Gideon isn’t my client yet, so I don’t owe him anything. Just tell me whatever contract you’re on isn’t something that’s going to put me on your tail.”

How many smart quips could I make about him being on my tail? As tempting as they all were, I did my job. “Emmett wants you to know we’re not here for Gideon.”

His gaze roamed over my face, and an unexpected wave of heat flushed through me. I had to get control of that. Sure, he was sex on a stick, but he was also a stubborn jackass who didn’t play nicely.

“It’s the truth.” And I wasn’t saying more than that.

With the barest nod, Drew loosened his grip on my wrist and stepped back. “All right.”

This time, I kept step with him, grazing my fingers over his watch.Think you can outplay me, do you?One hand to pocket, other hand to pat his chest. Distractions. “You need to work on your people skills.”

“I have plenty of them. Try acting more civil and maybe I’ll show you.” The corners of his lips remained tight, slightly down-turned.

I gave him a wink and returned to the sink, retrieving a mint from a crystal holder. Popping it in my mouth, I rolled it around with my tongue while I stared at Drew in the mirror. “You know, billionaire mints aren’t any different from discount store candies.”

“For someone who eats so much, you don’t have a particularly discerning palate.”

Drew Freaking Donovan. It had to be him, didn’t it? I picked up the bottle with the cleaning fluid. “CIA teach you the finer points of mints?”

“Jayce,” said Emmett. “Stop taunting him and get out here.”

“Emmett says I’m supposed to go now.” I turned and leaned against the sink, swirling the blue liquid in the bottle. “You going to let me leave?”

“By all means.” Drew stepped aside and gave a slight bow, offering me access to the door. “Better than having to explain why we’re scraping you off the sidewalk.”

Like I would have fallen.

“I’m so”—I pushed off the sink—“grateful you”—took one step and slipped.

The cleaning bottle flew toward Drew’s head.

I stumbled forward, flailing for balance.

His gaze stayed on the bottle, and he caught it, just as I slammed into him.

We careened into the wall together.

Hands to chest.

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