About That Night (FBI/US Attorney #3)(71)
Kyle paused for a moment, then clasped the other guy’s hand. “Jordan gave you the speech about bonding, too, huh?”
Nick grinned. “I’m under strict orders to make an ‘effort.’ And then I’m supposed to dig up whatever dirt I can about you and Rylann. Probably, I’ll just tell her how you beamed like a headlight when you heard the meth lab story.”
“Wonderful. Now I’ve got two of you all up in my business,” Kyle said dryly.
Nick slapped him across the shoulders, seeming to thoroughly enjoy this. “Get used to it, Sawyer. That’s what family is for.”
Twenty-seven
RYLANN OPENED HER door to find Kyle standing in the hallway, looking prickly once again.
“I heard an interesting rumor tonight.” He brushed past her and entered the apartment.
Rylann shut the door behind him, not sure what that meant. “Well. It’s good to see you, too.”
Standing in the middle of her living room with a no-nonsense expression, Kyle folded his arms across his chest. His question took Rylann completely by surprise.
“Is there something going on between you and Cade Morgan?”
Rylann cocked her head in confusion, wondering where he’d ever gotten such an idea. “No. Why?”
“Jack Pallas said he heard that you and Morgan were getting very close.”
Rylann paused. “I think the better question is why you and Jack Pallas were talking about Cade and me in the first place.”
“Nick brought him to the Bulls game. He started fishing for information about us after Dex asked about you.” Kyle must’ve seen the look of panic in her eyes. “Don’t worry, I covered. No one knows you’re sleeping with the Twitter Terrorist.” He amended that. “Well, Nick knows. Jordan talked to him about us.”
Rylann exhaled slowly. For something that was supposed to be simple and fun, this was suddenly getting very complicated. “Nick McCall is the special agent in charge of the Chicago FBI office. He works with my boss, Cameron, all the time.”
“He won’t say anything. We’re bonding now.”
At least one of them was comfortable with the situation. “Great. The future of my career is dependant on some ‘moment’ you and Nick had at a basketball game.”
His eyes pierced hers. “We haven’t finished our discussion about what’s going on between you and Cade Morgan.”
“Because there’s nothing going on between me and Cade,” Rylann said emphatically. “Do you really think I’d be with you if there was?”
His jaw twitched. “No offense, counselor, but this wouldn’t be my first blindside.”
As soon as the words registered, Rylann felt like a complete jerk. She’d momentarily forgotten that Kyle’s last girlfriend had cheated on him, in just about the worst way possible. They’d never talked about Daniela—Kyle didn’t seem to be particularly forthcoming about the subject, and Rylann could certainly understand why. But seeing his girlfriend with another guy, something that had ultimately put him in prison, had undoubtedly left him with a few emotional scars.
With that in mind, she walked over to him. She couldn’t undo what Daniela had done, but she could assure Kyle that nothing like that would ever happen as long as he was with her. So she uncrossed his arms, wanting nothing between them, and stepped closer. She peered up and looked straight into his eyes. “There’s nothing going on with Cade. We work together, and we’re friends, but that’s it.”
He made no move to pull her closer. Instead, he cocked his head, his tone quiet. “You’re friends with the guy who called me a terrorist?”
Oh…crap. When Rylann saw the flicker of hurt in Kyle’s eyes, she knew that had been the wrong thing to say.
Obviously, she understood why he would have a problem with her being friends with Cade. Of course, he didn’t know the whole story, that the former U.S. attorney had wanted to send a message to the press and specifically told Cade to go after Kyle hard. But even if that hadn’t happened, Cade still would’ve prosecuted Kyle—and been tough in doing so—because that was his job. Just like it was her job.
She wasn’t sure what all she could say in these circumstances except for the truth. “Well…yes.” She sighed. “And here I thought things were complicated before.”
“Does that mean you’re having second thoughts about…whatever this is between us?” When she didn’t answer at first, Kyle cupped her chin, making her look at him. “Do you want me to leave?”
Rylann thought about that, then shook her head. “No,” she said softly.
His face remained uncertain, as if he needed more convincing. “Are you sure?”
She nodded. “I’m sure.” She reached up, winding her arms around his neck. Though she didn’t have all the answers, there was one thing she knew for certain—that she wasn’t ready to say good-bye to Kyle yet. “See, I’ve been having this problem the last couple nights. My pillows smell like whatever shampoo you use in your freakishly lustrous hair, and now I can’t go to sleep without thinking about you.”
Kyle slid his hands up her back, pulling her closer. “Maybe you should wash your pillows. Get rid of all traces of me.”
“Or I could just invite you to spend the night again.” She stood up on her toes, brushing her lips against his. “Since we never seem to do much sleeping, anyway.”