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Her eyes fell to his lips, then further as her hands dropped to her lap. “I’m sorry, Bart.”
He wondered if she’d tell him whatever secret he sensed she was leaving out, but she didn’t elaborate. “Ah, come on. Don’t worry about it. You know I’m always up for a little excitement.”
Finally she looked at him again, one corner of her lips lifting in a hint of a smile. “Thanks. For everything.”
“You’re welcome.” He gave up the fight and pressed a quick kiss to the sweet place where her smile tried to break free. “Go on. It’s lady’s choice today.”
Her chest lifted with a heavy breath and she faced the dark velvet cloth sparkling with stones and settings like so many stars on a clear summer night.
She drew two gold bands closer, held each up, and after a long perusal, nodded. “These will do.”
He started to protest, but she cut him off. “Lady’s choice, you said.”
“Yeah. I did.” Waving Mrs. Delvecchio over again, he made the purchase and they made a study of the estate jewelry on the opposite side of the store while the rings were sized. With the two velvet boxes in hand, they headed back to the car.
“You didn’t have to go this extra mile,” she began as he set the fussy bag with tissue, jewelry boxes and a ring cleaner kit on the car seat between them.
“We already had this conversation,” he said as the engine coughed once before roaring back to life. “Best to get it over with.” He popped open one box and handed her the smaller of the twin gold bands. Taking the other, he twisted it down over his knuckle, wishing he could figure out why something that weighed less than an ounce felt so damned heavy.
He knew it was an irrational overreaction, but he wasn’t about to admit it. Not when he was frustrated about being used.
It was one thing, a conscious choice, when he’d been a tool for his country. For the most part he’d enjoyed the work until he’dbeen injured. But being used by Hannah had him creeping closer to an edge he’d never encountered before.
The feeling wasn’t even completely accurate. She’d ditched a protective detail so she could warn him about the wiretap and help him out. She had every right to want to resolve her case against the cartel and he sure as hell wanted to root out whatever problem Tim had been tracking.
This whole mess defied a logical definition, which only exacerbated his trouble with this new, awkward coil in their relationship. Mentally, he’d put her in a category that didn’t intersect with business, despite the badge and position she’d earned. Maybe, without realizing it, he’d put himself in that same category. After he’d been injured, he wasn’t a sharp stick the Army could aim at the enemy anymore and in many ways he’d enjoyed the completely different challenges of becoming a civilian businessman and involved father.
Chapter 8
Best to get itover with?
“That’s just what every bride wants to hear,” Hannah said with a smile. She recognized the trapped look on his face. She’d seen a similar expression on her own when the pregnancy test came up positive.
“Sorry.” He put the car in gear and backed out of the parking space.
“Not accepted.” She patted his leg, then pulled her hand back quickly. She shouldn’t be so familiar with a man who’d basically told her to keep her distance. “This was a thoughtful thing to do. Thanks.” Hannah smiled at him as the bellowing engine reverberated through the car. “Where does Tim live?”
“In the middle of nowhere. He rents a double wide about fifteen minutes from the truck stop.” He propped his elbow in the open window and hoped the wind cleared the cobwebs from his brain.
She followed his example. “Must be convenient for him to live so close.”
“It is. Was.” He kept his gaze on the winding road. “Do you have a cover story in mind? What exactly have you told your boss?”
“Not much. I said we got married on a whim in Vegas and I implied I’ve been closing up my place in Maryland so I could move here to be with you.”
“Other than off the case, what’s your official status?” Most of his staff recognized an agent whether they flashed a badge or not.
“Do you want the truth or a cover story answer?”
“Yes.” He tapped her knee. “Before you answer, remember I can verify it with Eva.”
“You’re a difficult man, Bart.”
“I can be. But you should’ve known that already.”
The wind tugged at her hair and she pushed it behind her ear. “I’m on administrative leave. That answer can serve both purposes.”
“Why didn’t I tell anyone about us?” He flashed the ring.
