Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 146392 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 732(@200wpm)___ 586(@250wpm)___ 488(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 146392 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 732(@200wpm)___ 586(@250wpm)___ 488(@300wpm)
“He’s in…landscaping.” There was the slightest hesitation. It could be that he was embarrassed, though she didn’t understand why. “I’m afraid the thing my father is best known for is his green thumb. You should see his garden. It’s spectacular. I’ll be honest. I’ve gotten many a woman from simply walking them through the garden.”
His voice had gone deep and low. Seductive.
She was sure it worked on a lot of women.
And she recognized that voice. Well, of course Charlotte had sent her a Dom. He was giving her Dom eyes and that “do my will, sub” Dom voice.
The barista put a mug in front of Miguel and a small pitcher of milk. “Will there be anything else, sir?”
He glanced up. “Not at all.”
“Good, because my shift is almost over,” she announced and then turned to go.
Miguel sat up a bit straighter.
“I’m afraid I’m not great with plants. I love them, but I travel a lot and so do my roommates, so the watering part can get away from me.” It was the slightest bit awkward, but she’d found most first dates were like that.
“I grew up surrounded by them,” Miguel replied. “We had a country home I spent much of my childhood at, but even the house in London was filled with them. You seem a bit distracted, dear. Is anything wrong?”
She was hella distracted. “No. I just got back from a business trip, and I have to admit I’m a bit jet-lagged.”
But only a bit, and that was a surprise. She usually had a hard time getting to sleep after a mission, but her ever-churning brain had locked right down when TJ’s arms were around her. Like something deep inside her knew she was safe, and it was okay to sleep deeply.
“Ah, where did you go?”
“It was a quick trip to New York. My boss is usually in Austin, but he’s got a place in Manhattan.” It was her go-to excuse when someone asked where she’d been. Meeting her boss in New York.
He studied her for a moment. “New York is only an hour off. I wouldn’t expect jet-lag from that.”
She really needed a better excuse. “I guess I stayed up late, and I need to catch up.”
He sat back, and suddenly the smooth charm was replaced with a keen, somewhat predatory look. “Or it could be the seven-hour difference between Dallas and say, Munich.”
A chill went through her. “You’re not Miguel Garza.”
A satisfied smile crossed his handsome face. “Not at all, but you are the lovely Louisa Ward, and the job at 4L is a cover for what you really do.”
She pushed back from the table. “I’m afraid I need to go. If you have questions, you should ask my boss. It seems like you know him, so I don’t have to give you his number.”
His hand shot out, gripping her elbow as she tried to walk away. “I don’t think so, love. I’d like to leave Ian Taggart out of this.”
She twisted her arm out of his grip. “Like I said, talk to my boss. I don’t know who you are or what group you’re with, but I’m not about to sit here and talk to you.”
He sighed but sat back, looking like a superhot brat prince. “We can certainly do this the hard way, if you like.”
She wasn’t doing this—whatever this was—at all. She had a million questions, but she knew what protocol insisted she do. Get out of the situation and call base. She was reaching for her cell when she hit the door, pushing through to the street.
Well, that’s what she meant to do. But the door didn’t budge. It was locked.
She turned back and realized at some point the café had emptied. When she’d entered there had been a couple of people, but they had gone and no one had taken their places. Given the time of day, this place should have been packed.
Situational awareness. She was going to get such a lecture.
The man she should have known wasn’t Miguel Garza stood, adjusting his jacket. “It’s only you and me. I’m afraid I’ve taken over this nice establishment. No one is coming in or out. And that one will not help you. She’s with me.”
The woman who’d made their coffee was pulling the shades down. She turned off the Open sign.
A little panic went through Lou as the windows were covered. She was alone, and no one could see inside.
“Let’s take a drive, you and I,” he offered like this was a normal date and not a kidnapping.
“I don’t think so.” Adrenaline started pumping through her system.
“I must insist.” He nodded to the woman who now held a semiautomatic in her left hand.
“You should do what he says, Ms. Ward.” The woman had dropped the flat American accent and sounded every bit as British as her coworker. “If you talk quickly, you might avoid his seduction routine.”