Page 89 of A Very Un-Shakespeare Romance
“Buck just texted us.” Tyler clapped his hands, startling her. “They have eyes on the two guys the Kellys are sending down. Lily, you win the prize. They’re driving down.”
“I was also right about the number of guys they’d send.” She smiled. “The mob does like to send people in pairs.”
“They tend to be family operations, and camaraderie and chemistry are important,” Robbie said dryly. “I’m glad it’s only two guys. We’ve got them outnumbered big-time. Us four here. Agents Johnson and Mather across the street.”
She knew he’d been worried about the heat coming. He’d explained that caring about her ratcheted up the stakes for him. She’d felt the personal pull as well. “Me too. We’ll catch them on attempted murder, conspiracy, and a whole bunch of other offenses. Because I know they won’t be abiding by local gun laws regarding bringing in weapons from another state. Oh, I can’t wait! I’ll split them up and work them over at the FBI office in Charlotte. They’ll flip on their boss and want to turn state’s evidence. It will be like Christmas in the interrogation room.”
“You’re sexy when you talk like that.” His blue eyes twinkled. “But I hate to burst your bubble. You’re going to have a hell of a time getting them to talk.”
She waggled her brows. “I excel at establishing rapport with bad guys. You’d be surprised what they tell me.”
“Having been hoodwinked by you, I wouldn’t bet against you.” He laid his hand next to hers, their fingers tangling loosely.
Sheila appeared in the doorway with a knowing look. “Hey, lovebirds. Why don’t you go for a run or something? Your sexual energy is reaching all the way into the kitchen and ruining the batch of virgin margaritas I’m making.”
“Yeah, go for a run,” Tyler agreed, joining her in the doorway. “Buck is flying high back in Boston leading that arm of the investigation. All we’re doing here is sitting around and waiting. You know how it goes.”
Lily shared a look with Robbie. “Okay, only if you’re sure.”
“We are.” Sheila jerked her finger behind her. “We’ve got two more watchers across the street. Plus, the ones tailing the Kelly guys. Go.”
Lily felt the pull, knowing they were covered. Agents Johnson and Mather—the undercover couple on a romantic getaway—were positioned so they had eyes on the front of the house. “You game, Grandpa?”
“Always.” He pushed off the couch, extending his hand to her. She took it even though it wasn’t exactly professional, but the lines were blurred.
She was trying to accept that. Plus, there was nothing unethical about them seeing each other. But she was struggling with the wholebeing too obvious about itpart. Like sleeping together on an active investigation. Fortunately, Robbie had the same moral quandary, so they hadn’t done more than catch a few stolen moments together. Good moments. Hot moments. Spine-tingling, toe-curling moments. Sheila had wisely not teased her about it. Much. But her partner encouraging this alone timewasreally sweet.
“I’ll change and meet you outside,” she told him, squeezing his hand a moment longer before taking off toward her house next door.
Inside she quickly changed, delighted to find him waiting for her at the beach’s edge, stretching his calves. “I like watching you work your muscles like that,” she admitted, coming closer to him and brushing his butt with the back of her hand in anoops, I accidentally just did thatmove.
He stood up, grinning. “Put your hands on me again like that, and we won’t be running.”
She stepped closer, feeling the heat already emanating from him. “Promises, promises. Come on, Grandpa. Let’s go.”
She kept her pace easy to let them both warm up. But soon he shot her a cheeky smile and sprinted ahead.
“Consider that your challenge, sweetheart,” he called over his shoulder.
“Accepted!” Oh, he was so deliciously sexy, and she kept her pace easy so she could watch the hard muscles of his legs ripple along with the lats through his T-shirt. No bare chest this run. Probably wise of him. But when they got back to Boston—weather permitting—she was going to make a special request that he never run with a shirt on. Call her scandalous, but Lily Meadows was over the moon, dancing on air, and totally head over heels for Robbie O’Connor.
Punching up her speed, she enjoyed the grim look on his face when she passed him in a blur.“Ta-ta.”
His heartfelt growl sounded on the empty beach, and she nearly laughed out loud. It was good any final renters were off having dinner, or they would have been scared by the sound.
Sand shifting under the quicksilver of her feet, she cruised to the right, following the beach out as it curved into the ocean. The blue waves were calm today, the white tips of the breakers as much of an afterthought as day-old frosting. Only a few jellyfish lay on the beach, washed up by the waves.
She filled her lungs with the salty air and savored the view. God, she was going to miss this place. Maybe they would come back for a real vacation sometime. They hadn’t explored the area, and she’d love to do more surfing. She sighted a few larger waves off in the distance and noted a boater coming in hot, parting the ocean with his form of idiocy. She was glad no one else was on the water, because he was the kind of boating enthusiast who was dangerous and likely bolstered by a few beers.
Looking over her shoulder, she glanced back at Robbie. His face was clenched, his arms pumping madly as he sprinted after her. She sometimes wondered why some people were just naturally faster than others, conditioning being equal.
“You want me to slow down?” she called.
He only shook his head, his focus locked. She turned to face forward and set about running her own race. She rather liked that he didn’t mind that they ran at their own pace. Okay, he did. But he’d never ask her to slow down.
God, he was such a keeper, and she found herself thinking about meeting the rest of his family. Truth be told, she was missing the girls as well as Tim and Billie. Sure, she was closer to Tim. They got each other and had similar senses of empathy and humor. Billie was a total tough guy but still good to her. Then there was Tara, who was brave and funny and really sweet. She thought they could be good friends.
But she wondered about the rest of his family. Robbie had a sister, another adopted one of sorts, and four more brothers. Tyler said he really liked Danny, who ran the Irish pub that bore the family’s last name. Goodness, there were a lot of them. She’d never had anyone really.
