wrapped in each other’s arms.
She glanced at the bedside clock, amazed it was only three in the morning. She felt as if she’d lived a lifetime in just a few short hours. First her humiliating and career-ending panic, then her trip to the emergency room, followed by the incredibly erotic shower with Jake and the even more deliciously erotic lovemaking. And now the blow-up that put an end to their short romance, possibly even their friendship.
Exhaustion crept over her and she closed her eyes. Sleep was impossible. She had destroyed her career as an LCR operative. Had she lost Jake, too?
Chapter Fourteen
He was a prick and not proud of it. Jake knew he had no good excuse for the way he’d behaved. Angela had given him her beautiful body. Instead of feeling damn lucky, he’d berated her for knowing his shitty past. Of course she knew it. And if he’d been thinking with his head instead of his dick the last few months, he would’ve known that.
She’d had a hell of a day. A scare, the loss of a dream, and an injury to her hand. And he, being the selfish, horny bastard that he was, had taken advantage of her vulnerability. If McCall were here, he’d give the man permission to kick his ass. And he was quite sure his boss would be happy to oblige.
After storming out of her bedroom, Jake had spent the rest of last night alternately cursing his naivety and blaming Angela for not telling him sooner that she knew about his past. Why let the little fact that she had been doing her job get in the way of his hurt pride? A couple hours ago, he’d come to the humbling conclusion that he was an idiot. She had done nothing wrong. He should have realized that she had delved into his background. And instead of being hesitant to have a man who’d fucked up so badly watch her back, she’d given him her total trust. Another humbling realization.
Yesterday had been all about bad judgment. He’d taken Angela to bed. Yes, it had been incredible, and so damn satisfying his sated body hummed with satisfaction and demanded more of the same. He couldn’t act on those wants though. It’d been a dumbass thing to do. There was no future for them. He had no plans to ever get serious with another woman, much less make any kind of long-term commitment. Giving in to those kinds of emotions wasn’t something he could allow ever again. Losing Teresa had dammed near destroyed him. If he let himself fall for Angela…Hell no, he couldn’t let himself go there.
And Angela would want more than some occasional hot sex. She would want a future and he couldn’t offer her one. She deserved to have everything she wanted—he just couldn’t be the one who gave it to her.
But what he had to give her before another moment passed was an apology.
He knocked on their connecting door. A day ago, he would have walked in uninvited. After his asinine behavior, he wasn’t sure of his welcome. She had every right to be pissed.
Instead of calling out for him to enter, she opened the door. Shadows lurked beneath her eyes telling him of her exhaustion, yet he saw no animosity in her expression.
She stepped back and said, “Come in. I just made coffee.”
“I—” Jake blew out an explosive sigh. “Hell, Angela, I’m sorry about the way I acted. You did nothing wrong.”
The smile she gave him was breathtakingly beautiful and full of understanding. “I should have told you before. I just didn’t know how.”
“And I was an idiot for not knowing.”
“I would never discuss anything I learn with anyone. After I compile my report, I hand it off to Noah. We don’t talk about it either.”
Jake nodded. Angela was the most scrupulously honest and open person he’d ever known. “I figured that. And I appreciate you believing in me enough not to turn down being my partner. Others might have figured I wasn’t up to the task since I failed to protect both Suzanna and Teresa.”
“Stop blaming yourself for the horrible acts of others. You did nothing wrong.”
Jake kept silent. He had trusted the wrong people and would regret that decision for the rest of his life.
“Help yourself to coffee. I’m almost finished packing.”
“I want you to reconsider your decision to quit.”
Angela had known this was coming. She had actually expected to have this discussion last night. After telling her about his