Page 28 of SEAL by Fate

“Relax.” She strolled over to him and held out one tumbler filled with ice and Scotch.

Although his body begged to kick back the alcohol, he denied the offering. Even one drink could lessen his instincts. “I’ll pass.”

With a pucker of her plump bottom lip, she placed the glass on the table and emptied her own. “I have a leaky faucet. Know anything about plumbing?” She rolled a tendril of her hair around her finger. “I had a man here and he was worthless. Didn’t know a thing about pipes…or the ones under the sink.” She smiled and gave one hip a seductive tilt.

“Not a lot.” He started to look at his watch but remembered he wasn’t wearing one.

“You won’t take an itty-bitty teeny-weeny peek at the pipe?”

He scratched his temple. “Sure. I’ll check under the sink after I make a call, but I can’t promise anything.”

“The phone is over there.” She pointed to the small table in the living room. “While you’re taking care of business, I’ll grab some rags for the sink.” She shifted her eyes down him and smiled. “I tag you as a coffee man. I’ll brew us some.”

“You don’t have to go to the trouble, ma’am.”

“No trouble whatsoever. Black is it?”

“That’ll work.”

“I’m pretty good at guessing a man’s coffee preference. Five years as a barista will do that to a person.” He heard a slight southern twang to her voice. “Believe it or not, it’s helpful when it comes to dating.”

He looked at the phone and hooked his thumbs in his front pockets. He was obligated to enquire, although he wanted some privacy so he could make that call. “How’s that?”

She measured out coffee granules and smiled. “A man who likes his coffee black is strong and determined. Now, if a man asks for extra sweet, he will cheat.”

Gray blinked. “You get that all from a man’s choice in coffee?”

Her laughter echoed off the walls. “I’m just kidding you.”

As she flitted around the kitchen, Gray went to the phone and looked over his shoulder to make sure she wasn’t listening in. Although he wanted to call the office, this wasn’t a secure line. So, instead he called the private number and left an encrypted message on the machine. They would get the update soon. That took some weight off his shoulders.

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