Page 19 of Lost Without You

Dalton nodded. “Good,” he replied as he stood up. “Now I’m afraid I have to get going. I have an active case that needs my attention.”

“You’ve been very helpful, thank you for your time,” Rachel replied as she stood and offered her hand to him, and he shook it quickly. Ethan did the same.

“I’ll give you a call when I get some answers. For now, we’re keeping the discovery of the disk a secret. Rachel, her mother, me, my contact, and now you are the only people who know about its existence.” Ethan murmured. “I’d like to keep it that way for as long as possible.”

“You have my word,” Dalton replied and left the room.

Rachel let out a breath she didn’t know she’d been holding in. “Is it me or is Dalton scary as fuck?”

Ethan laughed. “He’s intense. I’d hate to be on his bad side.”

“Where to next, boss?” Rachel asked.

Unfortunately, her question coincided with her stomach growling loudly. Mortified, she felt her cheeks heat as Ethan struggled not to laugh. Stupid metabolism.

“Back to the hotel. It sounds like you need a snack.”

“I do. Then I’m going to take a long, hot bath before we head out.”

“I’ll join you,” Ethan’s face flushed. “I mean, I’ll take a bath in my own hotel room. Of course, why would I be taking a bath with you? Jesus,” Ethan grumbled and quickly headed for the door. “I need some food, too. Apparently, I have no blood sugar left to fuel my brain.”

Despite her best intentions she couldn’t help but be flattered at his fluster. When was the last time that happened?

“I didn’t picture you as a bubble bath kind of guy,” she teased as they walked out the meeting room and down the hallway to the front exit.

“No stereotyping, Rach. Us FBI men like our bubble baths and manicures, same as the next guy.”

“I’ll be sure to tell Wes so he can put that on your dating profile.”

Ethan’s stunned expression was priceless.

Chapter Nine

Ethan

Lord save me from a smart, sexy woman with haunting blue eyes.

Ethan kept trying to put their banter and sexual tension from the day out of his mind, but it was getting difficult the more time he spent with Rachel. Tonight wouldn’t help matters at all since they wouldn’t be talking about the case. Sweat started to pop along his skin as he was getting dressed, pulling on his nicest pair of slim cut jeans, a grey button-down shirt, and a leather jacket. He hoped he was dressy enough for this restaurant. California style was much more relaxed than here in the Big Apple.

Running some product through his hair, he took one last look and decided it would do. He texted Rachel to let her know he’d be waiting for her in the lobby. The restaurant was only a couple of blocks south of their hotel and on a cool spring evening, the walk would be welcome.

After leaving his suite, he pulled out his phone, disappointed that he didn’t have any new messages. Lane must still be digging. He put the ringer on vibrate and headed down the hallway, waiting patiently for the elevator.

When it finally opened, Ethan stood there in shock, like he’d just received a punch to the solar plexus. The door started to close until he shook himself out of his daze and put his foot out to force it open again.

“Sorry, Rach, I guess I need a longer nap,” he replied as he finally entered the elevator. Her scent wafted over him—vanilla and something deeper, spicier. He felt lightheaded and leaned against the back wall for support.

“Are you okay?” Rachel asked as she drew closer.

His pulse beat double time and he broke out in a sweat as he looked her over. A silky red dress clung to every gorgeous curve on her body. Paired with sinful black patent stilettos, her legs, fuck, Ethan could spend hours just worshipping those long, shapely legs. Then he looked up into her big blue eyes and he couldn’t think, let alone talk. He hoped to hell he wasn’t drooling.

“Ethan?”

“Fine,” he finally managed to croak out. “I’m fine. Tired. And hungry. What kind of food does this place serve?” he asked, desperate for small talk to keep his dick calm.

Rachel smiled. “Spanish tapas. With wine pairings.”

“Sounds perfect,” Ethan straightened up and cleared his throat. “Do you mind if we walk? It’s a nice night and I could use the exercise.”

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