Page 28 of Special Agent Rylee


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Chapter Twenty-two

Jake couldn’t believe his luck in having Rylee suggest that they eat in his stateroom. Watching those two clowns performing all morning with their obvious sleaziness often had his control slipping precariously. Many times during the tour, he’d wished they’d been alone and now it was coming true.

In retrospect, he’d never felt this possessive about any woman before, and it scared the hell outta him. But there was something almost secretive about Rylee, as if she knew things that others didn’t. The mystery heightened her appeal.

And her attractiveness would leave any red-blooded male full of need. Look at the way the men earlier had pivoted around her.

From the minute she’d appeared in her knee-length, sunshine-yellow dress, her pretty sandals with shiny colored bling-stones, her shoulders and chest naked to the leering stares, his nuts had been tight, his stomach curled into knots and his fists had clenched more times than he liked to admit.

There might have been interesting moments during the outing, but all in all, it hadn’t been as enjoyable as he’d envisioned. Though the princess seemed to have been in her glory.

Not sure how he felt about that, he shrugged it off and got into the moment. Leading her to his suite, he opened the door and waited for her reaction.

She walked in ahead of him and her response was everything he’d expected. “This is all yours? It’s beautiful, Jake.”

She rushed to the balcony, opened the French doors and stepped out. “How stunning? You have a wonderful view from up here.”

He followed and slowed to watch the wind whip her skirt high enough so he saw her legs and got a sneak peek of her lacy white bikini panties. Stuttering, he answered, “I k-know. Cool, right? I almost hate to leave the room.”

“I don’t blame you.” She held her hands over her hair, trying to keep it from blowing every which way.

“I’m sorry, your hairdo is getting ruined. We can eat inside.”

“Not a chance. If you show me where your bathroom is, I can take out the pins and then it won’t matter.”

Spellbound and not thinking, he opened the bathroom door and was met by a pitiful, cantankerous meow.

“What in the world do you have here?” Rylee bent down and lifted the kitten in her gentle hands, holding it close against her chest. The tiny animal snuggled its head against her chin and licked at her skin, something Jake wished he could do too.

Envy, one of the seven deadly sins, ate into his conscience but didn’t really make him feel bad. Hell, envying a cat didn’t count, it just made him feel a little pitiful.

“It’s a stowaway that climbed into my garment bag on the dock and without knowing, he got carried on board. After the ship had left port, I found him crying and scared. I’m hiding him here. Not sure what they’d do in these situations, probably stick him in a cage and drop him off at the next stop.”

“And you didn’t give him over to the authorities because…?” She carefully handed him the animal, then seemed mesmerized by the tender way he cuddled it.

“Aw, man. He’s a baby and needs attention. Besides, he’s scared and misses his family. Remember that bag lady on the dock, the one you gave money to?”

“Sure, she had, oh…! Right. She had a bunch of kittens. You figure he escaped from her and got himself into this pickle.”

“Pretty sure. And don’t laugh, but the truth is, I’m kind of getting used to the little fellow. He’s done me a favor recently, and I’m thinking to adopt him, keep with me.”

“I don’t blame you. I used to have a cat who looked like this one. Had to put her down recently, and I bawled like a baby. I called her Boo because when you least expected it, she’d show up and startle you.”

“Seriously? This one does the same thing. Can I borrow that name for her?”

“Sure. Boo it is.” Reluctantly, turning away to put her purse on the counter, she quickly opened her handbag and found her fat comb. Watching her, he noticed she’d suddenly physically and seemingly emotionally retreated, as if remembering where she was and with whom.

In a matter of seconds, she’d undone the curls from the top of her head, and like a mass of thick silk, they cascaded all around her shoulders. Working magic with her fingers and two combs, she swept it away from her face on the sides, and her shoulder-length hair soon became arranged attractively.

Reaching out again for the fuzzy black fluffball with amber eyes that gazed adoringly at her, she held the baby under her chin. Jake could tell that she loved the way the kitten showed her affection by nuzzling her throat.

Drawn to her by her sensitivity, he moved closer and petted Boo also, his hands touching hers on purpose.

Drawn, she stared into his eyes, and he noticed a look on her face that made him think of a child in shock. Awareness passed between them, and he desperately wanted to explore those feelings.

Before that could happen, she broke the spell with her next words. “Let’s order our food. Then I have a favor to ask, and I’d rather you be full and content.”

“Crissakes, you make me sound like a cow.”

Tickled by his humor, she laughed and added, “I’m thinking more like a very exclusive bull.”

“And I’m kinda thinking bullshit, Rylee. But, I’d hate to throw a compliment away if you really meant it.”

He loved the sound of her mocking laugh.

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