Page 115 of Exposé

"It doesn't seem like the story is worth the jail time or the death threats."

"I think it is."

He pushed me against the counter, his hands slipping from mine as he pinned my hips. "If you insist on doing this, then I'm going with you."

Twisting, I struggled out of his hold, but he held tight. "I can't ask you to help me. It's illegal."

"You didn't ask. I'm telling you. If you insist, then I'm helping. I'm the best bet you have with not getting caught."

I raised an eyebrow. "That's a bit cocky, don't 'chya think?"

He shrugged. "Might be, but it's true. I've had my fair share of covert operations in the military. I know how to get in and out quickly and quietly."

I snorted. "I never pegged the Marines for doing anything quiet."

He let out a low chuckle, his grip loosening. "We have our moments."

The tea kettle screamed, blowing the lid on our moment.

His hands fell off of my hips, and I flipped the dial off. "I thought you'd be upset finding out that I'm about to do something like this, not volunteer to join in."

Nate shrugged as a sly smile formed. "It's kind of sexy. And to be fair, you left me with no choice here. I either turn you in or make sure you don't get caught."

"Um...turning me in sounds like the better option for you."

"Not from my perspective."

I rolled my eyes at him. "Are we bad people?"

He cocked his head to the side. "I think it's okay to do bad things for the greater good."

"That might as well be my mantra at this point."

"Does that mean you'll accept my help?" He stepped back as I grabbed a mug and poured the boiling water into it, steeping my tea bag.

"To commit a crime?Youdidn't exactly givemea choice in the matter." We shared an amused smile, my rapid heartbeat thumping in my ears.

How did someone like him even exist?

"Consider it our next date, then."

23

Nate

Iswung my leg over my motorcycle, the sun setting in the west as I fired it up, leaving Ava naked in her bed, sound asleep.

Despite the adrenaline rush of her assault today, I'd managed to work her body into a state of relaxation, eventually her eyes closing until a slight snore emanated from her.

I revved my engine as I backed up, the quiet engine humming beneath me, then took off like a bat out of hell, my teeth set tight against one another.

The fucking nerve.

My mind reeled as I dropped my motorcycle off at the Hertz parking lot, snagged my keys after signing my life away, and drove five hours north.

I parked in the gated underground parking lot and stepped out. "Trey...Chip." I nodded to both of them. "They still have you on this post?"

"Doesn't look like it's ever going to change," Trey said.

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