Page 26 of Seductive Secrets

They continued their search, talking to the various people who worked at nearby businesses. Angela had no idea of the number of apartment complexes, banks, and mailing businesses in the area.

They stopped for lunch at a small deli, and continued their efforts until late afternoon, when they finally gave up.

“This has been a wasted day,” she grumbled as she plunked herself down into the passenger seat.

“I agree.” He started the sedan and backed out of the parking space. “We need a better way to do this.”

Angela didn’t reply. She was tired, frustrated, and she hated the clothes she was wearing. “I need a…” She froze, something catching her eye. “James,” she whispered, her heart speeding up as adrenaline poured into her system.

“I see them,” he replied, his jaw clenching as he drove by the two nondescript men in jeans and jackets. There wasn’t anything about them that stood out, other than the way theyaimed twin glares at the car as James drove by them. “Can you get a picture of them?”

Quickly, Angela fumbled for her phone, but he’d already passed by the duo by the time she had her phone out. “Sorry,” she sighed.

“Do you think I should go around the block so you can get a picture?”

Angela bit her lip, thinking about it. But as she watched in the side-view mirror, the two men turned and hurried off. “No. I think we should get out of here. I don’t know who they are or how they found us, but let’s just get back to the house and tell Dash.”

He agreed and sped out of the neighborhood. He took several random turns, trying to ensure that the men couldn’t possibly find them again. Finally, he headed for the interstate, moving faster than the speed limit, but not at a rate that would get them pulled over.

James kept his eyes on the road, weaving swiftly through the traffic while Angela watched in the side-view mirror.

“I don’t see anyone following us.”

“Good. Let’s get back to the house and find out what everyone else discovered.”

She wiggled in her seat, getting more comfortable. “I agree.” She smiled suddenly. James must be more attuned to her moods than she’d thought because he glanced over at her. “What?”

Angela giggled, clapping her hands. “I just realized that we clearly alerted someone to our presence. Since they found us, we must have to have either gotten close to whatever thatkey opens, or one of the businesses we questioned todaywasthe target and the person we questioned lied about it.”

He thought about that for a moment and nodded. “I’d have to agree,” he replied. “Let’s see what the others discovered.”

Chapter 5

“Where is everyone?” Angela asked, stunned when they looked around at the empty house. “I thought Kasim and Rosalee were staying here.”

James pointed to the computers that were resting on the kitchen table. “They were here,” he pointed out. He walked over to the table, skimming through the hand-written notes.

Angela moved behind the kitchen counter. “There’s a note.” She picked it up. “Kasim and Rosalee went out for dinner. Marco and Chloe are still out searching, but they are meeting up with Callum and Dash for dinner.” She lifted startled eyes. “They are matchmaking!” she gasped. “They left us here alone!”

James’s eyebrows lifted and he moved closer. Bracing his hands on the counter behind her, he leaned in. “Is that a problem for you?”

Angela stared up at him, not sure what to say. Her tongue darted out, wetting her lips as she stared at him. “I’m not sure.”

There was a slight pause, then he nodded his head. “Are you hungry?”

For food? Or him? Those two options immediately popped into her mind. “Yes,” she replied, but Angela wasn’t sure what she was hungry for. No, that wasn’t accurate. She knewexactlywhat she was hungry for. She just wasn’t sure if she was…ready for James.

“Should we order food? Or do you want to go to the grocery store and cook something here?”

Biting her lower lip, she mentally examined her feelings. He hadn’t automatically assumed that they’d have sex tonight. For some reason, that made her feel…confident? In control? Yes! Because he didn’t automatically assume that, just because they were alone, that they’d have sex…that made her feel more in control.

That realization had her hand coming up, lightly touching his cheek. “I think that we should go upstairs and…” she gasped. In a flash, he’d swung her up into his arms and hurried up the stairs. “You don’t waste any time,” she laughed a bit nervously, but she wrapped her arms around his shoulders, holding on as he carried her up the stairs. He brought her into the room she’d slept in last night, kicking the door closed behind them before lowering her feet to the thick carpet.

“You can tell me to stop at any point,” he assured her, his hands sliding around her waist as he pulled her closer. “Thank you for trusting me about your past.”

Angela blinked, then let her hands rest on his forearms. “I’ve never told anyone, other than the guys.”

She watched in fascination as his jaw flexed. “I will protect that information from the world. But now I understand your hesitancy.”

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