Page 15 of Winters Heat

“Vague. A little predictable, too, I suppose.”

“Oh yeah?” His eyes flashed to hers. He cocked his head, placed one fingertip on her knee, and snaked it up her thigh as fast as ice melted on a chilly day. He stopped at the junction between her legs. “I’ve been predictable?”

There wasn’t enough oxygen getting to her lungs. She had no idea what to do, so she changed subjects with the smoothness of sandpaper, ignoring the blooming heat near his fingers. “Who do you work for now?”

He gave a hushed chuckle, drummed his fingers on her leg, and pulled his hand away. “What’s it to you?”

“You’re so testy.” She mocked him. Childish, yes. She knew better but couldn’t help it.

He cracked the knuckles on the same hand that left fire blazing on her thigh. An unbearable need to take that hand back screamed within her. Mia closed her eyes, sucked in a breath, and sent off a prayer for strength. No fortifying breath helped right now. She needed a brick wall in between them.

“Titan Group,” he said. “I work for a tactical operations firm named Titan Group. We’re just a bunch of ex-military and former agents dickin’ around, taking on the world.” He chuckled. “Normally, I wear a cape, but it was at the dry cleaners today.”

Did he just make a joke? She loved that. “How about one of those spandex bodysuits?”

“You could always dream.”

A quiet giggle escaped her lips. A very nice dream. “I thought you were more like GI Joe, but now that I know about the cape, you sound more like Superman. You fly from one job to the next when there’s a light in the sky or the cops aren’t around?”

He didn’t look amused at her comparison.Guess the jokes are over.

“We work with clients when the normal channels of business can’t get the job done. Or hell, when they won’t even consider it.”

“How noble of you.” She smiled. “And decidedly more GI Joe.”

He smirked. “You think you’re cute, don’t you?”

“Maybe.” She could flirt a little with him and learn something. “So this bunch of guys you work with, I assume you’re all deadly, virulent, and…antagonistic?”

“Nah, I prefer effective.”

“And do they all rescue women and kiss them at the end of the day, too, or is that just you?” Her heart thumped in her chest, threatening to jump into her throat.Where did all this boldness come from?

Winters swallowed hard enough she saw his throat bob. The adrenaline was gone. All reactions should have long since fired and ceased. They should have, but she still wanted to taste him again.

Mia turned and leaned toward him, inches away from the side of his face. The truck smelled like man and guns. His raspy cheeks beckoned, begging her to nuzzle against them. The pinpricks of stubble were so close, but she stayed away.

“Nothing to say, Winters?”

Heat emanated between the scant space separating their bodies. Their gazes clashed. Her throat constricted, and the heavy beat of her heart pounded. Seconds passed, loaded with anticipation.

“We need gas.” He tore his gaze from hers and eyed a tall gas station sign illuminating the night ahead.

What had she been doing? She needed to say something. “Where are we headed?”

“Virginia.”

“Virginia? We’re driving home? That’s like another twelve hours,” she said an octave higher than normal, giving an incredulous glare. She scooted to her side of the vehicle in two side pushes.

“Don’t like it? Find another ride.” He stopped the truck at the pump and jumped out without looking back. The harsh slam of the door echoed in her ears.

What just happened?

That was cold. He set the gas pump up and ambled into the store. No way was he off the hook after that. He would have to explain why they were booking it cross-country instead of hopping a flight home. Mia jumped out and followed behind him.

He had his phone to his ear, Dots boxes in hand, and now, he ignored her. Mia went to the drinks cooler and watched him. He had to be talking about her. She puttered around the beverage coolers, trying to listen, picking up a handful of words.Won’t be home. Work. I love you.

Her hand flew to her mouth.Oh my God. He’s married? He has a girlfriend?

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