Killer Daddy, page 13
“Miss being with someone who made me feel like the most important thing in the world?”
“So that’s a yes, then.” For some reason, that only irritated him more.
“Not him. I don’t miss that two-faced bastard. He ruined my career. Then tried to harm me and the baby.”
His brow tugged into a furrow. “Now I’m confused. You made it sound like you missed being with the guy.”
“I don’t miss him. What I meant was I miss being with someone. Not being alone. It’s nice to feel as if you’re part of a team.”
“Don’t you get that with your agency?” he asked.
She shook her head. “We don’t work together often. We are more like sleeper agents. Called when something is happening that is close enough where we can slide in for a peek without drawing notice.”
“Not a full-time gig then. What’s your cover when you’re not spying on rich dudes?”
“Interior design.”
“Paint chips and hardwood floors?” he snickered.
“Don’t laugh. It’s good money. Better than I made when I was an official agent.” She sounded defensive.
He hastened to calm her. “Don’t get all pissy. I just think it’s interesting the way we’ve got these cover jobs that no one would suspect.”
“Yours does sound kind of cooler,” she admitted. “Mine doesn’t let me travel around the world. Not that I really could with Harper.”
Hearing her name, the baby exclaimed, “Hap.” And clapped her hands.
“Single mom traveling the world wouldn’t fly, but a family could.”
“You can’t take a child on a mission.”
“Not on the dangerous parts, but imagine the education they’d get from the immersion in other cultures.”
“Until the parents got killed or arrested on foreign soil and she ended up in some horrible orphanage, abused and alone until some slavers bought her and auctioned her off to a child abuser.” Audrey finished her tirade, chest heaving.
He stared at her before saying, “You’ve put way more thought into this than you should. And using the most extreme examples.”
“It could happen.”
“So can the flu. And car accidents. Given your thoughts on children on missions, how the hell did you ever convince yourself to let me have her?”
“Because you seemed like a decent sort.”
“Then you didn’t do a very good background check, or you would have seen I was arrested and charged with assault.”
“I read the police report. You were protecting a woman who was attacked. The charge was bogus.”
“That’s what my lawyer argued.” Whereas, the guy who’d actually started it all by dragging Celine into an alley had sued Declan because, as he argued in court, Declan had hurt him worse than he hurt the woman. “By that you assumed, what? That I was some kind of good guy?” He smiled. “Boy, were you wrong.”
At that, she snorted. “Being a mercenary doesn’t make you bad. Otherwise, I’d be screwed. You have a moral compass. That’s the best thing you can ask for.”
“So you left Harper with me, assuming I wouldn’t completely fuck it up.”
“Oh, I figured you’d fuck up most of it, which was why you hired me.”
“You’re sly, Ree.”
“Ree?” she queried.
“I can’t call you Edith anymore. That was my fake nanny. Audrey is your formal name. If we’re going to be partners on this, then I need something short and quick. Since Aud, sounds odd, I think Ree is a nice choice.”
“We’re not friends.”
“Never said we were. We’re partners. For this mission,” he quickly added. “Nothing more.”
“Whatever you say, Zee.”
Declan had to ask. “What’s that supposed to be short for?”
Her smile was wide and mischievous, and the expression in her eyes was full of mirth. “Crazy.”
The laughter startled Harper, and he was first to rise and grab the baby, snuggling her close, bouncing her until she calmed and tugged at his beard.
Looking back at Audrey, he found her staring at him, winsome longing in her regard. She turned away, but it remained burned in his mind. This time, he realized it for what it was. Not her missing Harper’s father, but rather having a partner to help raise the child.
A sweet child, and an even sweeter mother.
The emotions he was starting to feel for Audrey seemed much too quick. Shouldn’t it happen over time?
Or was this a case of The One? Harry had once spoken of it. Claimed that when he saw Sherry hiking up her skirt and climbing over a wall to join an embassy party in the Middle East, he’d fallen in love. They married quickly, barely knowing each other. Yet their affection for each other stood the test of time.
Could it happen to Declan?
Whoa. Stop with the crazy shit. She was right to call him Zee. Where the heck were these thoughts coming from? Declan was a single guy. Happy with the bachelor life. He wasn’t looking to settle down with a chick, even a hot one, and become a dad to a ridiculously cute kid.
“Here.” He thrust Harper at Audrey.
She snuggled the baby on her lap and continued to browse his file. She brought things back to business, which was just fine by him. They spent the next two hours discussing what they knew and studying what they had. She was frustrated by the lack of options to get into the apartment.
“Unless you can somehow pass yourself off as a potential buyer of his place, with the money to prove it, you can’t make an appointment to see the inside.”
“Why not? You’re the realtor. Tell him I’m rich.”
“First off, I’m the realtor of a super controlling client. He calls the shots, not me. Visitors must run through him first.”
“He’s checking out potential buyers? Why?” she asked.
“Paranoia.”
“Because he’s hiding something.”
“Or he’s just paranoid. Whatever the case, I can’t just invite you in to take a gander at his place. If it were that easy, I’d have already detected it.”
“How on earth are you supposed to sell that condo if you can’t show it?”
“Luck?” He chuckled. “And it’s actually easier than you’d expect. When people are at certain levels of wealth and power, they don’t always have to see what they’re buying. Sometimes, it’s a matter of location or prestige. They also have the sense to know that if they don’t like something about a place, they can pay to change it.”
“Rather than explain to me how the rich suck, why don’t you give me ideas on how to get inside?” Her tone was snarky with the implied words of: because you won’t.
“The only thing that comes to mind is the upcoming open house.”
“That’s perfect.” Her expression brightened as she straightened, her hand tucked around Harper, holding the snoozing baby in place.
“Not really. The open house is by invitation only.”
“Then it’s not an open house.”
“No, but it is the one time I know when the security will be laxer. Maybe we can use that.”
“Except if we’re both there, then who watches Harper?”
“I’ll bring her with me. Claim my nanny had a day off.”
“You can’t bring the baby.”
“Why not? Suarez is a white-collar shithead. Nothing will happen to her. Or do you want to miss this opportunity?” Declan dangled temptation in front of her.
She nibbled. “You’re not even sure you can get me in.”
“Is that a challenge?” Declan quirked a brow.
“Yes.”
“Let’s say I do manage to sneak you in, what do I get?”
“Get?” she repeated. “I thought we were helping each other. I am not bargaining sexual favors for it.”
“Never asked for any. But given you challenged, it seems only fair I receive a boon. I want you to make me cookies.”
“You’re kidding, right?”
“Nope. I get you into that condo, and you bake me cookies. Chocolate chip and nothing from a can or plastic package. I want them made from scratch.”
“Cookies?” She sounded rather incredulous.
“Yup. I wanna smell them as they bake, and eat them warm from the oven.”
She laughed, her body shaking, causing the baby to stir and grumble in her sleep. She settled down as Audrey held her breath. But her eyes still held a twinkle. “Okay, you’re on. You get me in, and I’ll make you cookies, but if you can’t, I want you to make me bread. From scratch. And it better be fluffy.”
“Bread is impossible to make.”
“Not impossible, just hard. Which my job will be if you don’t get me in.”
“I’ll get you in,” he muttered.
And she’d be making him cookies.
Chapter Seventeen
Guess I’m making cookies.
She had no doubt Declan would get her in. She’d just pricked his male ego. He’d go to any lengths to win.
A phone beeped. His. Rising from the chair, she stared at his butt. She really had to stop noticing how fine it was.
It didn’t help that she now knew that fine ass belonged to a mercenary. A man who could take care of himself. A man who understood what she did.
A man who looked way too gorgeous when he held a baby in his arms.
Her poor panties needed changing.
The playpen creaked a bit as she laid Harper inside while Declan grabbed his phone. He didn’t talk long before hanging up and returning to her side.
He chuckled, a low, rumbly sound. “Speak of the devil. Guess who wants a meeting?”
“Is that unusual?” she asked, rising and facing him.
“Not really. Suarez meets with little notice and at places of his choice. Says it’s to keep people on their toes.”
Reminded her of Mendez, except his reasoning was that it made it harder for people to track him down. “When and where does he want to meet you?” Could she use his absence from the condo to infiltrate it? With Declan entertaining him, she’d have ample notice to get out.
What about Harper?
They couldn’t leave her alone.
“I can see the devious cogs of your mind churning, Ree. Might as well stop right now. I’m meeting Suarez at his place.”
“That blows.”
“Not really. I am going to bring my camera to do some interior pics. Maybe you’ll see what you’re looking for.”
“I doubt he’s got it perched out in the open.”
“Never know. Guys like him are arrogant and convinced they can’t be touched.”
“I know the type.” She made a face. “When are you meeting him?”
“Soon.” He rubbed his face. “Guess I’d better hit the shower.”
“That quick?”
“When the client says jump, you jump.”
“When will you be back?”
The wide shoulders rolled. “No idea. So stay put and get comfortable. Maybe check out the apartment a bit. It might give you ideas for Suarez’s place since they share the same designer.”
She’d momentarily forgotten that they were in the same building. She didn’t know if she should kiss him for making her job easier, or slug him again for having put Harper within reach of a possible criminal.
But was anywhere truly safe? Look what had happened at her own house. Her castle had been invaded. The princess almost snatched. Perhaps Declan had a point about taking the baby with her.
What am I thinking? I can’t bring Harper.
Someone had to watch the baby while Mommy played spy. She slid her gaze to the closed door of the bedroom.
He’d actually gone to shower. Left her alone.
She could walk out that door with Harper. Ditch him.
Which would accomplish what, exactly?
Mother had told her to work with him. He was cooperating just fine if she ignored the part where he rendered her unconscious and brought her here. In his defense, he’d just found out that she wasn’t whom he thought.
The man was willing to help her get into Suarez’s condo. So why even contemplate leaving?
She knew why.
Because he makes me tingle.
Bad news.
The last time that happened, she got involved with the wrong man and paid for it.
I didn’t know who Mendez really was.
She got the impression that Declan lived more openly. Thus far, his actions appeared exemplary. Especially considering the extenuating circumstances. He’d stepped up with Harper and continued to step up even after finding out the truth.
But did that mean she could trust him?
She made an irritated noise as she realized she no longer trusted herself to make simple evaluations. Her past now shaded how she dealt with the present. Second-guessing herself and the people she dealt with. Looking for ulterior motives. Except she couldn’t see one for Declan. Helping her didn’t really give him anything. The cooperation between their agencies was a courtesy thing. Mother would probably throw a little thank you their way if BBI actually helped. If not, so long as no one got in her way, they’d part amicably.
He gained nothing by aiding her.
Before she knew what she was doing, she’d made it to the bedroom door. The knob turned, and she entered the room, leaving it open only a crack behind her. He’d left the bathroom door ajar, and steam wafted as he bathed, the heated moisture landing on her exposed skin. She blamed it for the flush when she entered the bathroom itself.
She was just in time to see him step out of the shower, nude and glistening. She’d seen his upper body before but, this time, it hit her hard. Just how strong he truly was. Sexy. Tough.
The healed wounds struck her anew. She saw them for what they were. Battle scars.
He snared a towel and wrapped it around his waist. Unlike many men who probably would have said something crude or flirtatious at being interrupted while bathing, he said nothing. Just tucked the ends of the fabric around his hips.
Audrey wet her lips. “Why are you helping me?”
“Why wouldn’t I?”
“What do you get out of it?”
“Cookies.”
She waved a hand. “Please. We both know that’s a silly reason. You’re putting your reputation on the line. If your client finds out you let someone into his place to spy…”
“He’ll fire me.”
“Which is bad.” Being in the housing industry, she knew how little it took to sink.
“For him, you mean. The rumors I’ll spread about his prima donna ass will have me looking the victim and him the impossible-to-please client.”
The reply had her blinking. “Retaliation by rumor?” She laughed. “That is devious and less violent than expected.”
“Can’t exactly go around killing or beating up clients that annoy me. I do live here, you know.”
“Touché.” The wry laughter surprised her, and as she relaxed, he moved closer. Close enough for her to reach out and touch beads of moisture pearling on his skin.
Hold on a second. She was touching!
She moved closer as he froze. Her palm flattened on his chest, feeling the rapid thump of his heart. She glanced into his eyes, saw a wariness in them. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“Everything so far.” Because if she looked at things from the outside, this man truly had gone above and beyond.
“You don’t have to do this.”
“Afraid you’ll lose the cookies?” She leaned up. “Don’t. I’ll still make them. This is something else.” This was about her wanting to feel something other than worry. To feel as if she were real. Desirable…
One thing no one ever warned about after becoming a mother was the doubt that would assail her about her desirability as a woman.
Her body had changed. She’d changed.
Her hand curled around his neck to draw him in for a kiss. He didn’t resist, his lips slanting over hers in a soft and slow exploration. Her body trembled. Desire coursed through her veins, engorging her nipples, moistening her cleft.
The tingles he could invoke multiplied. Brought along friends. And shivers.
His arm curled around her, dragging her against the dampness of his skin, leaving no doubt as to his own arousal as the hardness of him pressed against her lower belly.
He lifted her, placing her ass on the vanity. Her legs slipped around his waist. Her fingers tunneled through his hair.
In between harsh kisses, he managed to pant, “What happened to—”
“Shut up.” She kissed him some more. Forget what she’d said before. She needed him.
He held her tightly to him, her legs wrapped around his waist, putting delightful pressure on her cleft. She rocked against him as they kissed, the layer of fabric separating their bodies an aphrodisiac.
He bit her lower lip, worrying the flesh, drawing sharp gasps. He let his mouth trail to her jawline. Then her neck.
The T-shirt she wore didn’t stop him in the least. His mouth latched on to her breast, the lack of bra something she only noticed now. He took advantage, giving a wet suck of her nipple through the thin fabric. Her sex clenched.
The track pants she wore weren’t her own, fabric on them loose, and his hand easily slid inside. Delved and then worked against her flesh, his finger stroking and rubbing her through the wet fabric of her panties. Driving her desire.
The moans erupted in jagged pants.
Her pleasure peaked as a mini orgasm took her.
The cold granite surface of the counter shocked the heated flesh of her ass. A small discomfort that barely put a dent in her lust.
She froze.
Lust. Out of control desire. The last time that happened…
She pushed away from Declan and hopped off the counter, struggling to straighten her clothes at the same time. She didn’t look at him as she exited, saying, “I think I hear Harper. You should get ready for your meeting.” She needed to leave before she finished what her aching body wanted.
Didn’t I learn my lesson?
No, she hadn’t. Because all she could think of was marching back in, tossing him on that bed, and having her wicked way with him.
Sex would be the ruin of her.
The lack of might also kill her.
