“I stay busy all year.”
His work was intense and dirty, but enjoyable. Though he couldn’t imagine doing anything else, there were times when he wondered about his life choices. What else could he do with his skillsets and not have to start over?
Remaining in this line of work meant not allowing anyone to get too close. He couldn’t have a family. Who would want a man like him—a killer? To kill you had to practically be devoid of feelings and completely dedicated to the completion of the mission. Wives, girlfriends, and kids created a burden.
“The bookstore ebbs and flows. I love my job, too. Being around words all day is wonderful, and I get to share that love with people like you.”
She blushed and looked down at her lap.
All of a sudden the night took on a different air, and he wondered what it would be like to be on a real date with Shanice. What if this weren’t a job?
His chest tightened. That was unusual—for him to feel emotion toward anyone, particularly someone he was working for information. He needed to stay focused.
“Why did you ask me out?”
That shift in the air deepened, and he saw the longing in her eyes. He almost didn’t speak, but then he heard himself say, “Why not? You have an amazing smile, and you were always friendly every time I came into your store. You have a great personality, and tonight I’ve learned you’re easy to talk to.”
Nothing he’d said had been a lie. He meant every word. Shanice had a glow about her and an appealing personality that he could see easily drawing people in. She hadn’t been kind to only him at the bookstore. He’d seen her treat other customers the same way.
“And you’re very, very sexy,” he added gutturally.
“Sexy?” she repeated with raised eyebrows.
“Yes.” He meant that, too.
“You’re very sexy, too,” she said in a soft voice.
As clear as day, he saw she wanted him to kiss her. Her full lips were slightly parted and her eyes became hooded as she gazed up at him. His loins tightened with suppressed need. He wanted this woman, badly. But his job to get close to her did not include tonguing her down on a bench in the middle of South Beach.
And he knew it wouldn’t be enough. His tongue would want a taste of her breasts. He had a sudden urge to lick her nipples, to take them one at a time into his mouth and suck to his heart’s content.
Fighting the urge with Herculean strength, he stood abruptly. “It’s getting late. I should take you home.”
Cruz parked in front of the garage and then walked behind Shanice to the front door. As he did, his eyes swept the area. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, but he paid attention to each of the houses and quickly analyzed but dismissed the many cars parked on either side of the street. Four of them he recognized from previous nights.
“Is your neighbor having a party?” he asked, as if he hadn’t been in her neighborhood before.
“Every night. He’s very popular.”
At the door, Shanice turned to face him and clasped her hands in front of her. “I had a wonderful evening.”
“I did, too,” he admitted, swallowing the ball of tension in his throat.
He knew better than to get attached, yet he had a moment of regret—regret that very soon this charade would be over and he’d have to leave her behind, assuming she wasn’t somehow involved in this sordid mess.
Shanice grasped his striped tie and pulled his head down to hers. He gripped either side of the door and his whole body tensed. He hadn’t slept with a woman in a long time. Infrequent and sporadic hookups were the norm, and he wanted inside her so badly, he was liable to hurt her the first time if he ever got the chance.
“How about a kiss goodnight? I don’t mind. I promise,” she whispered. Rising on tiptoe, she pressed her lips against his.
Immediately, his body reacted, like some carnal beast. His fingers tightened on the doorframe so as not to crush her against him, because he had to exhibit some level of control.
Her tongue flicked against the seam of his mouth, and he reluctantly opened. The moment she entered, he sucked hard and angled his head to the side. She pressed against him, sliding her arms around his neck. His dick throbbed and his entire body ached with the need to give in and dive into