“Is that what you’ve been hiding from me? That you’re an IAB agent?”
She swallowed hard and nodded.
“Anything else you want to tell me?” he bit out. “Now would be the time.”
“Well, my mission is—”
“No,” he interrupted, lifting his hand. “You can tell me about your mission later. Is there any other reason why you don’t want to be seen with me?”
She shook her head. “What else would there be?” She shifted nervously and confessed, “I’m crazy about you, Derek. Absolutely crazy.”
“Oh, Sable.” His voice turned deep and husky. “Thank God.” He dissipated into mist and reappeared instantly before her, crushing her into his chest with huge hug.
She stood motionless in shock.
His large hands drifted into her hair and he pressed sweet, relieved kisses all over her face. “You have no idea what I thought… I was so worried…” He gave a crazed little laugh and picked her up, spinning her around.
“Derek?” she queried, a little worried. “You’re not angry that I’m IAB? Disgusted?”
His eyes widened. “Of course not. It all makes sense now. You can’t be seen with me, because it’ll blow your cover.”
Sable knew her smile must be radiant, because his face softened with such tenderness. “Most agents hate IAB. They don’t trust us. Are you sure you really don’t care?”
“Hell no, I don’t care!” He laughed again. “Baby, I thought you were some kind of criminal. I was tearing myself up wondering what I’d gotten myself into.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “I already knew, no matter what you were involved in, that I couldn’t let you go.”
Deeply touched, Sable felt her eyes tear up. Derek lived for his work and yet he’d considered setting aside his scruples just to be with her. It was a sacrifice that spoke volumes.
“Don’t cry,” he said hastily. “It’s okay, I can help you. We’ll solve your case, get you out of my field office and then we can get on with our lives. Together.”
“You’re so optimistic,” she noted with a shake of her head. “And I’d always heard you were so cynical.”
He shrugged. “We have a lot to look forward to. I can’t wait until I have you all to myself for days at a time. I want the opportunity to get to know you better.” His voice dripped with promise. “In every way possible.”
With a gentle shove, she created distance between them and began to pace restlessly. “You may have to wait a long time, Derek.” She didn’t look at him. She couldn’t. “And I can’t ask you to do that. It wouldn’t be fair.”
“Wait for how long?” he asked, a frown evident in his tone.
“I’ve already been on this case for two years and I’m not much closer to solving it than when I started.” Her hands clenched into fists at her sides. “There’s a leak in your field office, Derek. One of the agents is selling sensitive information to the Federation. I’m only halfway through my investigation. I still have half the agents to investigate.”
He grabbed her as she paced by him, pulling her to a halt in front of him. “Two years? That’s about the time I first met you.”
She nodded. “You were the first agent I investigated.”
“And what did your investigation reveal?”
Sable lifted her chin to meet his amazing eyes. “That I’d met a man who made me hot. A man who made me wish for things I can’t have. Things it’s not possible for him to give.”
“Until I met you.” His gaze turned molten. “Am I cleared in your eyes?”
“Of course.”
“Are you sure?” He searched her face. “You don’t have any doubts?”
She met his questioning gaze head on. “I wouldn’t have slept with you if I did. I wouldn’t have even wanted to.”
Tension visibly drained from his shoulders.
She stepped out of his embrace. “Now I have to get ready for the RetroBall. Agent Leroy will be attending tonight and he’s next on my list.”