No Limit (Armed & Dangerous #1)(7)

“Sorry, I heard your footsteps.”

“No, you didn’t. You were being a creeper. There’s no way in hell you heard me.”

Chuckling, he sat down and patted the stool beside his. “You’re right, I didn’t. I couldn’t sleep.”

Now that my heart stopped racing, I sat down and watched him take a bite of his apple. “So I look different, huh? Good or bad?”

He chewed his apple, smiling wide. “Good. You’re much prettier without all that shit on your face.” Lifting his finger, he traced it over my cheeks. “Your freckles are cute.”

“Cute?” I scoffed, slapping his hand away. “Do you have any idea how many times I hear that crap? It’s annoying and makes me feel like a child.”

“Believe me, you don’t look like one. I wouldn’t be wasting my time on you if you did.”

“You’re already wasting your time. The only action you’re getting from me is a job well done. That’s it.”

He took another bite of his apple, smiling. “I’ll take any job you’re willing to give me. It’s better than nothing.”

The man was insufferable. “I take it you don’t have a girlfriend waiting on you back home.”

Tossing the rest of his apple into the trash, he wiped his hands on his shorts. “Nope. I’m too busy to date.”

I understood that all too well. “Tell me about it. When I’m not away on missions, I help my uncle and his partner with their bed and breakfast. It’s nice to get that time away with the stuff we do.”

“Escape from what?” he asked, moving to the couch.

I followed him into the living room and sat in the chair across from him. “Do you even care to know?”

His smile faded. “You won the deal and I promised I’d get off your case about leaving. I never said I’d stop f*cking with you. It’s who I am and what I do. You just have to get over it. On the other hand, you’re basically my partner. Your wellbeing depends on me and vice versa. I think it’s time we establish some trust. I may joke about your hot *, but that doesn’t mean I’m trying to get in it.”

I blushed at the ease in which he said the word *. “Easier said than done. I’ve put my trust in other agents before and suffered the consequences. I know not to make that same mistake again.”

“What happened?”

“It’s not really something that’s easy for me to talk about.” I leaned over on my elbows and yawned.

He mimicked my movement and stared at me. “I get it. In a way, I think we’ve all been f*cked over one way or another.”

“What’s your story?” I asked.

He shook his head. “You tell me yours and I’ll tell you mine.”

“Maybe someday. Right now, I’m going to bed.” Standing, I started for my room and then turned, his eyes following me. “And there’s not going to be a sock on my door so don’t even bother waiting for it.”

He chuckled and got to his feet. “Sweet dreams, firecracker.”





The next morning, I woke up earlier than Jason and ordered breakfast. I didn’t want to wake him so I ate and studied the suspects’ files. All of the men were wealthy business owners of sorts; powerful men. One of them was obviously paying off the media. After eating breakfast, I slipped on my bikini and slid my clothes over it. If Jason was going to sleep all day, I wanted to at least enjoy the free time to clear my mind. I could always think better outside. Grabbing the sunglasses out of my bag, I slid them on top of my head and wrote Jason a note saying I was at the pool.

By the time I got down there, it was still early enough to where there weren’t that many people. I grabbed a water from the bar, took off my shirt and shorts, and laid out by the pool.

“Would you like a cocktail?”

I looked up at the waiter and smiled. “Oh dear God, no. It’s too early for me to drink.”

With a devilish grin, his white teeth stood out from his tanned skin. “It’s five o’clock somewhere, right?”

“True, but I’ll pass. Maybe in a couple of hours.”

“I’ll be back later then. Enjoy your morning.” He strolled off and started flirting with a couple of older women who just ate him up like a doughnut.

Sitting back in my chair I watched as gradually more people congregated around the pool. I loved to read, but people watching was always better. One thing the bureau loved about me was that I didn’t look the part. I may be a red-haired and pale-skinned Irish girl, but I could kick some serious ass. Many people have gone up against me and failed miserably.

After a couple of hours of keeping to myself underneath the large umbrella, I spotted a group of young men with their plaid shorts and boat shoes. Frat boys by the looks of them. They sat across the pool from me, but I could see them staring. It wasn’t long before one of them got up and walked over.

“Excuse me,” he said.

I slid my glasses on top of my head. “What can I do for you?”

“Well, um, I have a question.”

I had a feeling it was going to be one I didn’t want to answer. “Okay, shoot.”

He licked his lips and looked back at his friends who all waited on the edge of their seats. “My friends want to know if your hair is as red down there as it is on top of your head.” The poor boy looked uncomfortable as hell and I was about to make it worse.