Deadly Promises (Tracers #2.5)(23)

His mouth sought hers. Kissing her had become as natural as breathing, and just as essential to his survival. He wrapped her in his arms and rolled until she lay on top of him. She broke the kiss, lowering her head to his chest. Soft waves of brunette hair blanketed his chest.

“We’ll get to you… as soon as I catch my breath,” she mumbled.

“That’ll have to wait until later.” He rubbed her bare bottom with his hand, then thought better of that and moved his fingers up her back before he instigated another round.

She huffed out a deep breath, reached up to place her hand on his chest, and shoved up. Her eyes tilted with a curious look. “Will I see you later?”

He pushed a handful of hair off her face and cupped her cheek. “Depends.”

“On what?”

“Your brother, from what you said. If I had a sister that looked like you, I’d keep her away from someone like me too,” he teased.

She leaned down and kissed his chest, raising her gaze to his. “But I don’t want to be kept away from you. I’ve been letting my family coddle me for too long. I came here to build a new life on my terms, but I’ve let them control what I do or don’t do. I need to make them understand that I’m capable of making my own decisions and that they’ll have to live with my choices.”

He feathered her hair between his fingers. “What sort of decisions… and choices?”

“Like choosing what kind of man I want to be with, regardless of my family’s opinion.”

“What kind of man do you want?” He doubted he fit her criteria and definitely not her family’s, but he had to know just what he was up against if he wanted to keep her close.

“Someone honest and considerate. A man who looks at me like I’m his world.” She cupped his face. “Someone like you.”

He’d never had a woman look at him the way CeCe was gazing at him with adoration right now. Like he was her world.

“A man who could make me feel safe even after facing a gun pointed at my face,” she whispered right before her lips settled on his. Her kiss was sweet and endearing.

Different than any he’d shared before. The warmth and caring in this kiss rocked him to the soles of his feet.

His chest tightened with a feral need to keep her in his arms and safe. He’d never spent so much time getting to know one woman. CeCe had become his friend first since moving in next door. That was new all in itself.

Yes, she’d become his friend first and lover next.

He didn’t want another in his bed. Ever.

CeCe lifted her head, staring at him with her heart in her eyes. Everything about this woman was right up front and honest. No games or lies.

Jeremy didn’t care how many brothers he had to face.

He was not letting this one go.

First, he’d have to explain what he really did for a living, which would be tough since he couldn’t actually tell her about BAD. She thought he owned a gym.

The front doorbell rang.

She tensed, eyes rounded. “What if Vinny caught an earlier flight and that’s him?”

“I’ll deal with it. You get dressed.” Jeremy kissed her on the forehead, lifted her to her feet, and sent her to the bathroom before he walked to the front door.

The person outside had abandoned the doorbell and was now knocking. Pounding.

Jeremy opened the door to what had to be two feds. He could spot them a mile away. “Can I help you?”

One guy with a thin line for a mouth and receding hairline reminded Jeremy of the Joe Friday character from old Dragnet reruns he watched on television as a kid. His sidekick was a little taller at six feet with his black curly hair buzz cut, his skin the color of charred wood. One lazy eye gave him a half-interested look.

Both men flipped their badges. Joe Friday’s actual name was Special Agent Al Denton and his sidekick was Special Agent A. J. Quincy.

Denton asked, “You Jeremy Sunn?”

Jeremy nodded.

“You know a Cecelia Caprice?”

He nodded again.

Denton’s eyes narrowed to slits showing no patience. “Do you know where she is?”

“Depends. Why do you want to know?” Jeremy wasn’t handing her over without finding out what the FBI wanted.

“That’s none of your business.”

Jeremy crossed his arms. “Then I can’t be of any help.”

“Maybe you’ll be more helpful when we haul you downtown and book you for obstructing an investigation.” Quincy glanced past Jeremy, searching.

Jeremy would go with them and make one call to Retter, BAD’s lead agent, who would hopefully find a creative way to spring him. “Hopefully” because getting busted by law enforcement for BAD was part of Jeremy’s job description in most missions. This was a bit outside the parameters, but he’d gladly do it to keep CeCe out of the picture until he could figure out what the hell was going on.

Jeremy maintained a bored stance. “What investigation?”

“You’re just begging to spend time in jail today, aren’t you?” Denton threatened.

“I’m right here,” CeCe said from behind Jeremy. “What do you want?”

Jeremy sighed. He had no doubt what the next words out of Denton’s mouth would be and the agent didn’t disappoint him.