Page 38 of The Mastermind

“I have a plan to prove Remi wants you,” Kiera said.

He wanted me, but was it just a one-time thing?

When Kiera focused on a topic, she’d see it through. Normally, I admired someone with that kind of determination and persistence, but not when it came to my personal life. One time, she tried to hook me up with one of her male friends while I was at BU. She spent so much time planning the date, time, and location she’d forgotten an interview for an internship. I hadn’t even been interested in the guy.

I had to make sure she didn’t forget something important this time.

“Do you have anything urgent in the next few weeks? I don’t want you spending unnecessary time on my non-existent relationship with Remi.”

“In fact, I do, which is why I’m sharing my thoughts now before I leave for work. I won’t be back for a few months. It’s a busy traveling year for me.” She clapped her hands together. “All right, my Super Spy Girls, what are your thoughts on this case file? How can we determine if Remi has the hots for Audri?”

“Maybe we should talk about your French model, Sebastian,” I said. “How are things going for the two of you? Will we get to meet him?”

On a phone chat the other day, I discovered she and Sebastian had a little tiff. Maybe she was using Remi and me as an excuse to keep her mind off the model with the exquisite face and body.

My mind wandered back to Remington. He also possessed a stunning face, but I hadn’t seen him naked or shirtless. The image of him naked stirred heat in my core.

He got to see my nipples and tasted the barbeque sauce off my skin. How far would I let myself go with him?

The chemistry between us the other day was enough to combust my apartment. I still struggled between wanting to kiss him and dealing with the consequences. If I got together with Remi, it would complicate matters. What if things failed between us? Grayson would feel overprotective, and everything would become awkward between us.

Was that my only fear? I’d learned that, sometimes, beyond the fear, lay miracles. Could I risk everything for a chance at the miracle?

I couldn’t lie about how my body reacted to Remi, but was thatrealattraction? Was I attracted to him because of his mind, his mysterious character, or was it his carnal sex appeal?

I could use this case file to determine how much I wanted him. On the surface, the silly case would satisfy my friends’ curiosity, but deep down, I needed the truth, whatever that was. At least I would be doing something about these confusing feelings instead of ignoring them.

“Our last conversation ended with nothing concrete,” I said.

“What’s your plan?” Michelle looked at Kiera.

“Okay, girls. Let’s focus.” Kiera pressed her fingers to her temple. “I shall call this case License to Kiss.”

Oh God.Had Kiera somehow picked up on the energy of that night when Remi and I had almost kissed?

“I like the way you think, Kiera.” Michelle popped a grape tomato into her mouth.

“Right? License to Kiss has two folds. One will determine if Remi is attracted to Audri enough tokissher on the lips, and two, how good is he at kissing? If he kisses the way he looks, we know he’s the complete package. If this plan fails—which I know it won’t—we’ll move on to something else.”

I slapped both hands on the table and shook my head. “And that case will be called The Spy Who KilledYou,andI’m the spy.”

Grinning, she lifted a shoulder, dismissing my threat. “So, that means you’re on board?”

“Do I have a choice?”Yes, my lovelies. I’m on board.

“Not really.” Kiera sipped her raspberry iced tea. “If you hadn’t agreed, Michelle and I would have found another way to set you up.”

Yes, I know.

“I have suchexceptionalfriends,” I said, finishing the last sip of my lemonade.

“You betcha! Only true friends care this much about their bestie’s happiness.”

How would she know I wasn’t happy? If I asked, she’d reply with a comeback that would extend this conversation longer than necessary, having the waitress kick us out so other customers could come in.

A spark of excitement burst inside me even though I didn’t know where to begin the so-called “License to Kiss” mission.

“Okay, Agent Kiera.” I smirked. “Any ideas on where to start? Because I don’t have a clue.”

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