Actual Stop (Agent O’Connor #1)(14)

“What’s this?”

Meaghan’s eyes twinkled with something close to pride as she took the seat Allison had just vacated. “Photos. From last night.”

“Really?”

Meaghan nodded, and her smile widened as I shook the pictures loose from the envelope. “What do you think?”

Impatiently, I shoved some of the clutter on my desk to one side, so I could splay the photos out in front of me.

Meaghan was something of an amateur photographer, a hobby she studied tirelessly in what little free time she had. She’d even converted her spare bedroom into a darkroom. I found her work absolutely breathtaking and actually had a few of the pictures she’d taken while we’d once gone hiking hanging up in my living room. But she always shrugged and gave an absent wave of her hand when I complimented her considerable skill, stating she was merely okay.

Meaghan’s new obsession of late had been night photography. She’d been raving for weeks about this fancy, high-tech-sounding equipment she’d bought, and her entire body had practically vibrated every time the subject came up. It was all way over my head. She might not have wanted to go interview Akbari with me, but once she’d gotten over being mad at me for dragging her along in the first place, she’d decided it was the perfect opportunity to test her new toys.

“These are great, Meg.” I marveled at the work spread out in front of me. She hadn’t been after photos of anything in particular when she’d set out. But the details I could make out of people’s faces, even in the almost nonexistent light, amazed me.

“They’re okay.”

“They’re fantastic.” I pushed one across the desk at her, so she could admire it, too. “Look at this. You can see this guy’s face perfectly. And that right there.” I ran my fingertip over the area in question. “You can see the license plate on that car. Hell, you can even almost make out that sticker in the back window. It was nearly black out when you took these. Great job.”

Meaghan gathered up the pictures and slid them back into the envelope she held. “Thanks. I’m just glad I was able to test my new stuff. I’d been dying for an opportunity.”

Something clicked in the back of my mind as she said that, and I was suddenly apprehensive. “Uh, Meaghan? Did you see Mark today?”

“Yeah, why?”

I hesitated. “He lit into me about going to Utica Avenue last night.”

“I told you he’d find out. Wait, how did he do that?”

“I have no idea. Did he say anything to you?”

“No.”

The relief that surged then made me dizzy. I hadn’t dragged her down with me. “Good. He didn’t mention your presence to me, either. I’m hoping he didn’t see you.”

Meaghan shook her head, a small smile touching her lips.

“What?”

“Where’s all your bravado from yesterday? Not so much of an adventure now, is it?”

My thoughts wandered immediately to Allison. “My life’s a nonstop adventure. That’s the problem.”





Chapter Five


“So, are you going to tell me what’s bothering you?” Lucia murmured into my ear, her voice a throaty whisper.

Splayed on the couch in her apartment, I nestled between her legs with my back propped up against her chest like she was the world’s most comfortable chair. Her arms were wrapped around my waist, and her chin rested on my shoulder. Her petite hands lightly stroked my thighs.

“Mmm?” I murmured, my mind still whirling. My eyes were closed, and much to my disgust, I’d been lost in memories of sitting like this on the couch with Allison many moons ago, remembering what it’d felt like to have her hands in a similar position. And then what it’d felt like when they’d moved with more purpose.

Lucia grew still. “You’re quiet. You were quiet all through dinner, and you’ve barely cracked a smile during the movie. It’s not like you.”

“I’m sorry.”

“What’s wrong?” Lucia’s voice was low and soothing as she pulled me tighter against her and placed a gentle kiss on my shoulder. “You’re not still upset about yesterday, are you? I thought we were past that.”

Sighing, I turned in her lap so I could meet her eyes. She opened her legs a little wider to accommodate me, but one of my arms remained trapped between our bodies. I traced feather-light patterns on her arm with one finger of my free hand, enjoying the softness of her skin, which always amazed me.

Even now, despite seeing her as often as I did, her beauty left me speechless. Lucia’s thick black hair was pushed back off her forehead and fell just past her shoulders in luxurious waves. Her skin was the color of lightly sweetened coffee, and her eyes were an amazing shade of golden brown flecked with hazel, yellow, and green. No single word could describe them save for, possibly, magnificent. And even that fell a little short.

I smiled at her and gave her a small kiss. I’d only meant for it to be a quick reassurance, but somehow, I became totally lost in the soft feel of her lips against mine. I deepened the kiss, exploring her slowly. Time lost all meaning, and when I finally pulled back, I was breathless.

“Wow,” Lucia said after a long moment of gazing into my eyes. Her own were slightly hazy, and her lips quirked up in a dreamy smile. She kissed me again and ran her fingers up and down my sides. “Not that I’m complaining, but what was that for?”