The kiss heats up, and so does my body. We cling to each other, stumbling until my back’s pressed against the front door. I slip my cold hands under his coat and shirt, tracing the warm skin on his back. I’m combusting—releasing energy in the form of heat despite the frigid air outside. It’s a basic chemical principle, but to actuallyfeelit happening inside my chest is gratifying in the most heart-stopping way.
Park ends the kiss first and presses his forehead against mine as our heavy breaths mingle together.
“What would you rate that kiss?” he whispers.
A ten.
A resounding ten!
There’s a crowd of people inside my heart giving us a standing ovation, complete with cheers and slow claps.
I smile. “Maybe a seven.”
“Same.” His lips widen into a sexy grin. “Glad we’re on the same page.”
“Me, too.”
He pulls back, shoving his hands in his pocket all casually like he didn’t just deliver a show-stopping kiss. “Thanks for the great day, Lacee.” He turns to leave, but I stop him.
“Park, do you want to celebrate Christmas again tomorrow?” I smile. “With me?”
“I’d love to.”
So would I.
* * *
Park
I left Mary’s side kitchen doorunlocked so I didn’t have to climb through the window again. I flip the light on and throw the rental keys and Gina’s package of candy she gave me on the counter. Now that I know Mary a little bit, I don’t feel like such an intruder in her house. I can picture her shuffling around the kitchen, making soup or sitting in her recliner watching television.
If I were Mary’s son, I would definitely visit her for real.
I reach inside my back pocket and grab my phone while my other hand pulls out a chair at the kitchen table. I drop down into the seat, staring at the photo of the tracking number. Those twenty-two numbers predict the end of the world. At least the end of mypretendworld. Because as soon as the package arrives with the computer chip, this holiday fling is over. But there’s still a part of me that hopes the computer chip isn’t arriving soon. Like maybe Lacee sent the gifts through First-Class Mail. Is it too much to want a five-business-day delivery? Or so much Christmas mail that the post office is behind? That would give me more time with Lacee.
I punch the tracking numbers into the website on my phone and hold my breath, waiting for the information to appear.
The package was deliveredtoday.As in, the computer chip is probably under the Warren’s tree right now.
Freaking Priority Mail Express!
Looks like this mission will be over sooner than I wanted.
TWENTY-ONE
SIENNA PRIME
I never would’ve takenPark Bradshaw to be the type of guy gallivanting around Leavenworth, Washington on a romantic Christmas date when there’s a bigger job to be done. He’s always seemed so laser-focused on work that I can’t reconcile that he’s the same guy I’ve known and worked with on complex, dangerous missions.
I mean, he got taken down by a baby reindeer today.
How is he one of the top CIA operatives in our country?
Apparently, a cute redhead with blue eyes is enough to turn him into a complete fool.
Honestly, I’m surprised. But there are a lot of things about Park that are surprising me lately. Like the fact that he’s hanging out at an old folk’s home, masquerading as the son of a dementia patient.
I didn’t see that coming.
