Enthralled him.
Turned him on.
He knew she could feel the effect she had on him. The hard length of his arousal pressed against her stomach.
If the situation was different, he’d take her right here on the boulder, plunging deep inside her wet heat until she broke apart screaming his name.
But the situation wasn’t different.
He forced himself back to reality, peeking through half-closed lids to watch as Vance Neville came down the trail toward them. And El Sombro’s second in command wasn’t alone. None other than Eddie Baez was walking next to him. Tank’s intel had been spot on.
The conversation between the men seemed intense, with Eddie talking animatedly and using wild hand movements. Vance listened intently, his gaze shrewd. In seconds, they would be in range to see Rocco and Jemma.
He wanted them to think they’d stumbled upon a romantic getaway, not a handler meeting with her undercover agent. The kiss would throw suspicion away from his meeting with Jemma.
Vance looked over and saw them, then motioned for Eddie to stop walking. Rocco pretended he wasn’t watching them, watching him, but the subterfuge ended when Jemma pulled away.
“That was … wow,” Jemma said, taking a deep breath. A shaky hand touched her lips gingerly as if they were burned from his kiss.
Barely moving his lips, Rocco said, “We have visitors.”
Jemma glanced over her shoulder as Vance and Eddie headed down the trail to where they stood next to the boulder.
“Dr. Forrester, playing hooky from work, I see.” Vance laughed, then turned an appreciative gaze in Jemma’s direction.
Vance’s glance turned into a lustful stare as his eyes traveled the length of her. Rocco clenched a fist, then slipped an arm around Jemma and tugged her close. He didn’t want the man to get any ideas.
“It’s Saturday. Doctors get an occasional weekend off,” Rocco said, infecting a lightness into his tone.
“And you’re definitely spending your weekend in the best way possible,” Vance said with a sneer that was supposed to mimic asmile. He extended a hand toward Jemma. “I’m Vance. I work for the company that supports Rocco’s clinic.”
“Pleasure to meet you,” Jemma said, gracing the men with a stunning smile. “I’m Jemma, a … friend of Rocco’s.”
“I’d love to have … a friend … like Rocco’s,” Vance said, holding Jemma’s hand a fraction too long.
Jemma giggled and bit her bottom lip in a coquettish way.
Rocco’s jaw clenched, but he kept his cool, mainly because Jemma seemed confident and at ease. He knew her history as an exemplary undercover agent. He was watching her skills play out right before his eyes.
“Get your own friend,” Rocco said, harsher than he intended.
Vance’s smile faded as he turned toward Eddie. “And this is a new partner coming on board with our company, Eddie.”
Eddie stepped forward and extended a hand toward Rocco. “Nice to meet you, Rocco.” There was a warning in his dark eyes as Rocco shook his hand.
“Good to meet you, too,” Rocco said, playing along, figuring Eddie was concerned about Vance learning the history between them. He’d made significant strides in connecting with the Sombro Cartel. Eddie’s past as a DEA informant could destroy the work Eddie had done to make those connections.
Rocco would go along with Eddie’s ruse.
It could benefit him in the future.
Eddie greeted Jemma, then stepped back toward Vance.
“I don’t want to ruin your lovely weekend with work,” Vance said, then stole another glance at Jemma. “Eddie will be involved with some of the changes we’re planning at the clinic. I’ll bring him by next week so you can get acquainted better.”
“Sounds good,” Rocco said, slipping his hand into Jemma’s. “Well, we’ll leave you gentlemen to your walk.”
Jemma smiled. “Nice to meet you both.”
