Page 16 of Loving a Billionaire

A small grin touched her mouth. “Rescue me? Kurt, really, when do I need rescuing?”

“You know what I mean. I know you’ll be able to take the perp down, because I’ve seen you do it many times. But I just want you to know I’ll be there as your backup.”

“That’s just fine, but you really didn’t answer my question. What is going to keep me from performing? If Reeder thinks I’m a call girl, and tries to... do things, what excuse can I give him that will make him stop?”

Kurt scratched his chin, trying to think up some kind of excuse. Nothing came to mind. “I don’t know. I’m not a woman. What excuses do you usually give men?”

“Augh!” Talia rolled her eyes and pushed him aside as she stood. “Sometimes, Kurt, you make me want to punch you in the face.”

He laughed and rose to his feet. “But you still love me, right?” He winked.

She shook her head and walked toward the back room.

“Hey? Where are you going?” he asked.

“I have to find clothes so I can look the part, don’t I?”

“Come on. We don’t want to be late for work.”

As he walked behind her, he grinned. She was definitely a looker. Any man would be blind not to notice how sexy Talia was even when she tried not to be. When he’d first been paired with her, he went to the sergeant to persuade him to change his mind because he didn’t want to be attracted to his partner. That didn’t make a good working environment. But the sergeant turned down Kurt’s request. Over the months, he fought the attraction, and finally became comfortable with her. It was still hard not to think how gorgeous she was, but his job was important, and having a trusted partner was even more important. He didn’t want to ruin that between them.

But now with her undercover assignment, he wasn’t sure he liked it even if he had suggested it. Although he knew she could pull it off, he still worried that the perp might get out of hand being around an attractive woman like Talia. Kurt wouldn’t hesitate in shooting the perp if that ever happened.

EIGHT

Talia adjusted thetight, black skirt around her thighs, and smoothed a hand down the snug fitting, stretchy blue shirt with elbow-length sleeves. She kept a few buttons of the shirt open at her throat, knowing it didn’t show much of what a man wanted to see. She left her hair long, and she placed a Frangipani flower behind her right ear. The other ear was covered with her hair, and hid the earpiece she wore.

As she watched the numbers of the floors click higher on the elevator’s wall panel as it counted toward the penthouse suite, she touched her finger to the earpiece. “I hope you can hear me,” she said softly.

“I can.” Kurt’s voice came across loud and clear. “And just relax. You look gorgeous.”

Inwardly, she groaned. She didn’t need to hear that. “Thanks, Hamill. I’m happy you approve of my Halloween costume.”

His laughter from the other end made her smile, but it didn’t relax her at all. What worried her more than coming face to face with Austin again was knowing that Kurt could now hear their conversation. Her gut twisted. She hadn’t told Kurt about the kiss she shared with the perp, and if she had it her way, Kurt would never find out. It was degrading enough that she’d lowered herself and allowed Austin to seduce her into a passionate kiss. She couldn’t allow it to happen again.

The elevator doors opened and she stepped into the hallway, wearing her black, high-heeled stilettos. Shoulders back, chin lifted, she walked toward the familiar door as her heart frantically beat against her ribs. Good grief, if the noise from her heartbeat was any louder, the first floor would be able to hear.