Ramsey Security (Ramsey Security #1-3)(14)

"What do you suggest?" I ask, returning to the kitchen.

Minka tugs at my shirt, pulling me down so she can whisper in my ear. "Don't forget where she was for nine months. Don't be like that freak Locke and only see what you want from her."

I pat her on the head, and Minka immediately gives me a dirty look.

"Thanks for dumbing that down for me, Habanero."

"Frosty, you're asking for trouble."

A moment passes while I peek around the couch to see a dozing Darla. She's an angel wrapped up in dark blue oversized flannel. Minka isn't wrong that I want Darla. She likely isn't wrong about Darla being unable to want me back. Despite Minka's many great insights, I refuse to step away from the angel on the couch.





11


~~~

Darla

Fear Overwhelms

Awakening from a fog, I'm relieved to find Troy back at the apartment. I dozed off the night before thinking about his staggeringly beautiful blue eyes. I dreamed of his voice when he shared the story about his mom. When I saw Manny this morning, I felt abandoned. Unable to think, I quickly lost myself in panic. As usual, once the fear overwhelmed me, I couldn't calm down. Now I'm awake on the couch, feeling more ridiculous than relieved upon seeing Troy again.

"Look who's awake," Troy says, setting a glass on the table in front of the couch. "Here's the tea you like."

I sit up and stare at Troy. He doesn't look angry about my earlier freakout.

"I'm sorry," I whisper, reaching for the tea.

"Why, for not wanting to look at Manny's porn mustache all day? No one can blame you for that. It's his wife's fetish, so why must the rest of us suffer?"

Smiling, I hold his gaze for as long as I can. Troy is different today, yet I can't figure out how.

"I should have told you Manny was switching with me," Troy says, standing over me.

"You did, but I forgot."

Studying me, Troy nods. "Minka and I will be switching off. No more porn mustaches and whatever scared you about Saskia. I'm assuming it was her dead eyes."

I frown up at him. "They were nice. I just freaked."

Troy smiles easily. "Protecting their feelings is sweet, but save it for when they're in the room and can appreciate the gesture."

I narrow my eyes. "Don't tell me what to do."

Troy's smile widens. "You're fun after a nap."

His smile promises more than simple teasing. The sexual heat radiating from him surprises me, and I check my sweats to make sure my body is properly covered. Finding myself a mess, I hide behind my hair. I'm unsure how I feel about a man like Troy finding me attractive. I'm leaning towards liking his attentions when Minka arrives.

"Go figure out the security feed thing," she says to Troy.

His gaze lingers on my face before he finally leaves the room. I sip my tea and hope Minka doesn't tell me I'm a loser for thinking Troy likes me.

"You need a new wardrobe," Minka announces, flopping onto the couch.

Frowning, I say nothing while wrapping myself tighter in the sweats.

"I knew a German government agent who sold info. She hated femininity. I don't know why since we weren't friends. Anyway, she always wore shirts with long sleeves and high collars. Only her face and hands were ever bare. She didn't wear baggy, uncomfortable clothes like you but kept herself covered."

Remaining silent, I study Minka's tight tank top and black jeans. Her skin is golden like Troy's. Minka notices my gaze on her.

"I like dressing this way, but I wear whatever fits for the job. I'm sexy when I need to flash skin as a distraction. I'm covered up when I need to blend in. I ugly up shockingly easy," she says, giving me a wink. "People are blind to those they don't find physically attractive. That's why I'm always suspicious of mousy women and nerdy men. I've played that con too many times as a way to gain access to a location."

I open my mouth to speak then change my mind. Minka doesn't miss a beat.

"You should have seen Troy dressed up as an IT nerd. Or him as an old man. He had a stupid limp that kept changing legs. I finally had to kick him, so he'd remember which leg was supposed to be the bad one."

Smiling, I glance back at the room where I know Troy is working. "Have you worked together a lot?"

"He's been my partner for years. We tried the lover thing, but he's a better friend than boyfriend material."

Minka's words are like a punch to the gut. I stare at my hands, feeling as if something important has been ripped from me.

I'm not dumb enough to think Troy is a virgin. Common sense tells me that plenty of beautiful women have shared his bed. Yet I don't want to see them. I also never want to imagine them to be like the confident and powerful Minka, who is everything I'm not.

"Why didn't it work out between you and Troy?" I ask, deciding to throw salt on my wound.

Minka frowns, having moved to another subject and seeming confused about how we got back to her old f*ck buddy.

"What works on paper doesn't work in reality," she says. When I only stare at her, she sighs. "We lacked passion. Maybe other people can love without passion, but I want to crave the man I'm with. I need the crazy heat I had when I fell in love as a teenager. Sure, that was all hormones, but I still want to fall in love with a man. Not just hook up with my best friend because we're bored. I'm selfish that way."