Charmed: A Masters and Mercenar - Lexi Blake Page 0,49

not exactly dripping in long-term women yourself.”

A hint of a smile crossed his brother’s face. “I’m not interested in getting married. But you are. You’re the one who always wanted a family.”

He didn’t see why that was a problem. “I’m not jumping on the first woman I see, if that’s what you’re insinuating.”

“I know. The truth is I like her,” Michael admitted. “I like the fact that she’s already willing to back you up even when it comes to me.”

“She is?”

“She pretty much told me to mind my own damn business and to stop treating you like a child.”

Good for Nina. “Maybe you should listen to her.” He sighed. He hated that the last few years had been somewhat tense between them. “I really like this woman. I want to see where things can go. I promise I won’t screw this up and I won’t do anything that could put her in more danger. That’s the very last thing I want.”

Michael stared his way for a moment as though trying to figure out how to handle him. “I know that’s your intention. You need to remember that she’s the expert at this. Not you.” He was quiet for a moment. “She thinks you didn’t know who she was when you met her at the hotel. But Genny sent you her dossier and a picture. Genny also told you she’d be at the same hotel where Dad keeps a suite.”

“I knew who she was.” A kernel of guilt formed in his gut, but he didn’t care. He really didn’t. At least he told himself that. “But she didn’t know me. She came on to me and I wanted her. I wasn’t about to shut it all down to explain something that really didn’t matter.”

Michael groaned, a frustrated sound. “It mattered to her. Do you know why she left Interpol?”

He wasn’t buying that argument. “I’m not her coworker. I’m nothing but handy cover. And I’m not using Nina. I’m trying to have a relationship with her. I can’t explain it, Mike. I looked at her and I knew she was something special. I knew I had to get to know her. I still feel that way but times about a million. I can be good for her. I’m going to be good for her, but I need time with her, and I can’t do that if she takes off for London the minute this job is over. That’s exactly what she’ll do if I don’t give us a strong foundation for a relationship.”

“All right, but you should understand that if the truth comes out, she might not be happy about it. Like I said, I like her for you.” Michael put a hand on his shoulder. “I’ll back off. Be careful out there and do what she tells you to. She’s smart and she knows what she’s doing.”

JT hoped he knew what he was doing, too.

Chapter Seven

JT hugged his mother on the porch. “Thanks for the party, Mom. I think it went a long way toward selling our cover.”

His mother looked toward his truck where Nina sat in the passenger’s seat.

It was past midnight and tomorrow would be a long day, but he found himself reluctant to leave. He wished they could stay here for a day or two and let his parents get to know Nina, let Nina get to know him and where he’d come from.

They were about to be thrown into the crucible, and he wasn’t sure they were ready. By this time tomorrow they would be settling in at the retreat, getting ready for the welcome party. Nina would be working, and he was going to have to give her some space.

Until they went to bed at night. Then they’d agreed he could be in charge.

“Is it really a cover?” his mother asked. “I know you told me you’re interested in her and we teased you a bit, but I watched you at dinner. You’re half in love with that woman.”

He might be more than half. “I like her a lot. This is more than some job for me, and I think she feels the same. We had a connection even before she knew we were going to work together. Now I just have to convince her that connection is real.”

“Your cousin seems to think she’s wonderful. Simon sang her praises to me. Even Chelsea likes her, and that’s saying something. Chelsea doesn’t like anyone. They were so sorry they couldn’t be here tonight, but little Sophy has