Page 63 of Special Agent Murphy

Chapter Thirty-eight

Kayti understood why Murphy decided to join the group’s table alone, but it still rankled. Working undercover to some extent, they weren’t playing the game strictly as regular professionals.

Admittedly, she preferred this laid-back style rather than the stilted persona they most often used during the job. Especially the suits and dress code. She watched Murphy saunter over to the table, his light green shirt sleeves rolled up to show his arms, a style she’d begun to expect from him.

He wore his jeans low and fitting, and he had a swagger to his walk that attracted interested gazes from more than one other female. No doubt his butt was the fascination. It worked for her. The urge to throw her empty bottle at the gawker who tried gaining his attention fled when he ignored her advances and instead turned and aimed a wink Kayti’s way.

The warmth from that tiny action flooded her body. Tightening her muscles in reflex, she wished them at his place – alone, kissing, touching, stark naked…joined.

Man, that dude had her number.

Enjoying watching the men interact at the group’s table, she didn’t pay much attention to the cowboy sidling up to the bar and looking her way. Being ignored probably didn’t sit well with him, or he wouldn’t have chosen to make a move on a woman who had about as much interest in him as she did in the now empty beer bottle beside her.

“Can I buy you another beer, miss?”

“No, thanks.” Her smile was perfunctory, gone as quickly as it had appeared.

“It’s a shame for a pretty little filly like you to be here all alone.”

The idiot wouldn’t take a hint. “I’m just fine, thanks.” She spoke in a clipped way that any man whose conceit didn’t outweigh his brains would have instantly understood.

Instead, the hero took it to mean he needed to work a little harder with his winning personality. “Aw, honey, I’m really harmless, just lonely is all.”

Hating to be rude, but reaching her tolerance limit, Kayti stared him down, her expression closed and unwelcoming. “Not interested. Go find another horse to ride.”

Not liking this treatment, the spoiled lover-boy’s eyes turned hard, his manner nasty. “Hey, bitch. You need to be taught some manners.”

Standing tall and opening her jacket so her shield was in view, she spoke low, “Look, dude, I’m on duty tonight. I don’t want any trouble.” She’d seen Murphy’s approach. The look on his face boded bad for the flirt who couldn’t take no for an answer.

Murphy walked right up to the man determined to get his ass kicked. Moving into his space, the look in his narrowed eyes deadly, she watched as the oaf deflated, apologized and turned tail.

Then Murphy turned his look on her and didn’t say a word. She figured it was up to her to break the awkward silence. Remembering their discussion on the way to the bar, she knew it was a sensitive moment. Taking the high road, all she said was, “Thanks.”

He eased back and suddenly smiled in the way that she especially loved. And all he said was, “Anytime, doll.”

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