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“Yeah, that’s not happening,” said Coop, winding his finger in the air. He seemed to want her to argue with him.
“I have a job to do.”
“And anything you need to do can be done from a secure location. All you need is some comfy clothes.”
“What if she wants to play at the club? You know Adam is a real prick about proper attire,” teased Miley.
“I’m sure we can find some things to accommodate you, if you like, Anabella.”
“No, thank you. I have a job to do, and so do you. It doesn’t include playing with you or anyone else,” Anabella said primly.
“I don’t know,” said Miley. “Coop is known as one hell of a whip master with a variety of instruments. I can tell you from experience that a good session can really help with the stress and tension.”
“You’re a sub?” Anabella asked incredulously. Miley nodded, a knowing grin spreading across her face. “I… I thought you’d be a Domme if you played at all.”
“Being a part of the lifestyle isn’t a prerequisite to work for Cerberus, but I figured out a long time ago that for me to let go and really find some peace, I needed help. I hated to think I needed anyone for anything. Luckily, I fell in with the Cerberus group, figured out a lot about myself and my needs, and have never looked back.”
“Did you get the files in the center desk drawer?” she asked Coop as the trio made their way to her front door.
“No, but I’ll get them. I don’t know how much work you think you’re going to get done.”
“I have a job to do, and I mean to do it.”
They opened the door and Jimmy nodded, bringing his communication device up. “We’re on the move. Let’s go.”
Miley leaned into her. “Jimmy likes the whole military communication style.”
“It’s efficient and clearly understood,” the younger agent said, defending himself.
“So is ‘we’re headed for the SUV.’ Anabella, I need your phone.”
Anabella dug in her purse and handed it to Miley. “Why? Please don’t destroy it. I just bought it, and it was expensive.”
“I have no intention of destroying it. We’re going to leave it right here so if they try to triangulate your position using the GPS in your phone, it’ll show you here. Where’s your charger?”
“By the front door on the little buffet.”
“Got it,” said Miley, plugging in Anabella’s phone.
Coop picked up her two bags, shouldering the one with a strap and holding the handle of the other. With some reluctance on her part, he kept her close as Jimmy and Miley walked ahead of them, their fingers easily entwining as they clasped hands. He released her elbow and grasped her hand. Anabella jerked it away, but Coop recaptured it easily.
“We need to start looking the part of a romantic couple. I need you to quit being a pain in the ass and just go along. If anyone questions your neighbors, we want it to look like we’re just two couples heading out for a nice weekend.”
“We didn’t do that when we went inside.”
“That’s because you put us in a position of having to move you quickly and safely. And the backfire from the black sedan could have alerted people. So put on a smile and make nice.”
“I never agreed to having you pose as my lover. I’m not sure I’m okay with that.”
“Get over it. It’s the easiest way to explain why I’m hanging out with you. You can tell them you got spooked by the recent daylight robbery and the drive by.”
She had to admit, his plan made sense, but she feared that playing make believe would prove far too tempting and that she would begin to believe it. When she started to move toward the SUV in which they’d come, Coop redirected her to the vehicle which Miley and Jimmy had driven. Once she was secure, Alec walked past the SUV she and Coop were in to join Jimmy and Miley. That meant she was going to be alone with Coop. She could handle a short ride back to Cerberus without making a complete fool of herself, right?
As they pulled away, Coop tried to steer the conversation to a more neutral topic.
“They had bugs in my loft?” she said, indignantly.
“Yes, and a small camera in your ductwork.”
