Page 38 of Dangerous Liaisons

Chapter Twenty-Seven

For the hundredth time, the spaghetti strap on the yellow sundress Cole had purchased slipped down Jesse’s shoulder. The dress was a size too small and the straps were too long. The wound in her shoulder ached, she was cranky, and the scent of Cole’s shaving cream, wafting across the hotel room’s little table, wasn’t helping her concentration. He remained absorbed in reading the list of supplies she’d compiled. He hadn’t combed his hair, only run his fingers through it after showering twenty minutes ago. She wondered how many of those college girls’ fingers had tightened in his hair when he’d brought then to climax.

Cole’s eyes shifted to her. “What’s the judge’s name?” he asked. Jesse remained silent and he frowned. “All this cloak and dagger stuff isn’t necessary.”

She nearly choked. “It’s our business.”

He gave his head a single determined shake. “We’re on the same side.”

She wished she could be sure of that. She wished they were sitting on a beach in Santa Marta, drinking mai tai’s and flirting in anticipation of making love in their hotel room later on. She wished she knew who to trust.

“Are you getting the equipment or not?” she asked.

“Sure. I’ll get it, but we’ll still need back-up.”

“I planned on going alone. I still can. In fact, I’d prefer it. I never intended on anyone else risking their lives.”

“No repeats of Colombia?” he asked quietly.

She looked him square in the eye. “That’s right.”

Cole gave her a patient look and the hurt turned to a nearly overwhelming desire to cry.

“You’re not alone, Jess.” He reached across the table and covered her hand with his. She started to pull away, then remembered her plan to seduce him. She looked away, as if overcome with emotion. It wasn’t far from the truth.

He leaned back in his chair, his hand sliding off hers. “Okay. It’s just you and me. For now. But if we need backup, I will call them in.”

“No reports to Lanton,” she said.

He held up three fingers. “Scout’s honor. You call the shots. Just don’t get killed.”

Jesse jerked her gaze from his.

“It was a joke, Jess.” Cole stood. “Get some rest. I’ll do some shopping.”

She stood. “I don’t like being in this hotel room.” She didn’t like being separated from him, either, but wasn’t sure that was a wise admission. “If Lanton doesn’t already know where we are, he will soon.”

“He needs to think we’re working together willingly. Running will only tip him off.”

“Or, it might make him think I’ve got something to hide. Maybe it will tip his hand and we can find out what he wants from me.”

“You still don’t know?” Cole asked.

Jesse’s heart took a nosedive. He was trying to get her to spill the beans. She turned away. What was wrong with her? She didn’t know this guy. For all she knew, he beat dogs and cheated at cards. She felt his hand on her shoulder and turned.

“Keep Lanton out of it,” she said. “And everyone else, too. If I smell even a whiff—”

Cole pulled her against his chest. Jesse snaked a foot around his ankle and tumbled him onto the bed, landing on top of him. He rolled on top of her. His weight crushed her between the firm mattress and his body, their legs intertwined, and the warmth of his jeans-covered leg penetrated her inner thigh.

She interlocked her fingers behind his neck and pulled his face toward hers. At the last moment, he turned away and buried his face buried in her hair. She shivered at feel of his breath hot on her neck.

You’re trying to seduce him, she reminded herself through the haze of desire. She took a deep breath and was painfully aware of her nipples’ sudden sensitivity against the dress’s cotton fabric. She shifted, rubbing her breasts against his chest, and allowing him to settle more snugly between her legs. His erection pressed against her thigh.

Cole lifted his head and looked down at her. “You can’t go off half-cocked.”

Jesse blinked, her mind stuck on the words half-cocked.

“I read your file,” he said. “I know what you’re capable of.”

A chill displaced the warmth in her belly at the possibility that he did in fact know.

“Perez isn’t the type of man anyone should tangle with on their own,” Cole went on. “You’ll end up dead.” He paused. “Or worse.”

Her heart beat furiously. Good. He would think she wanted him. Hell, she did.

“Now,” he said, rolling off her, “I need to do that shopping.”

He stood, and Jesse stared, disbelieving. His gaze didn’t stray to her breasts or legs.

“I meant what I said, Jess. I know what you’re capable of.” He glanced around the room. “This hotel room can’t hold you. You’re good. So is my team. Take off, and they’ll follow. Even if you do shake them, where will you get the equipment on this list?” He patted his shirt pocket.

Her legs suddenly felt like rubber, like they would melt into the bed and she’d be left stranded with nothing but a head sitting on a torso.

Get some rest,” Cole said. “I’ll be back later.”

He turned and disappeared around the short wall separating the room from the tiny foyer. A second later, the door opened, then shut.

Jesse stared at the spot where he’d disappeared. Up until now, she always knew who the bad guy was. But Cole? What was she supposed to do with a man who might not be guilty of nothing worse than trying to bring a traitor to justice?