Twice as Hot (Tales of an Extraordinary Girl #2)(38)

"I wonder what's different. Is the formula strengthening as time passes?" Silent, John tilted his head to the side. He tapped his chin. He looked from me to Rome, Rome to me, and his eyes widened further.

"Ah, of course. You hinted, I think, but I didn't understand. Something's different about you every time he leaves, yes?"

"What's different?" Rome asked.

Crap. John had figured out the truth on his own.

"Should we put her in lockup?" he asked, surprising me, the question clearly aimed at himself. He continued to tap that finger against his chin as he studied me.

"I'm right here! And no, we shouldn't. I'm not a scrim. And before you say it, I do not want another filter."

Dark eyes leveled on me with unerring intensity. "I do what's necessary to protect both my agents and the world, no matter what's required. You know that. If your powers are that unstable..."

"I can handle it," I told him. "I'd already figured out the problem, but hadn't realized how bad it could get. I know now and I'll take precautions." Though the only precaution I could think of was staying away from Rome until his memories returned, and that wasn't acceptable. "Just back off."

"Listen hard, Miss Jamison," John said through clenched teeth. "You are not my boss. You do not issue commands. I, however, do. From now on, you are to inform me of every change that occurs, not just hint about them. You could have killed someone today! Understand?"

"I understand." And I did. He wanted the best for everyone. So I backed off instead, remorseful.

"New tests need to be run."

"Of course." I'd known that would happen, which was part of the reason I'd kept quiet. John liked to test everything. In ways that were sometimes painful, sometimes humiliating, but always a nuisance. He meant well, I knew that, but it didn't lessen the aggravation.

Dr. Roberts, the scientist who had secretly placed that formula in my grande mocha latte, had also given it to several other people. I was the only one who survived - and still, months later, no one knew why - so I was the only living vessel John had, which made me the only source for answers.

"If I let you stay in the field," he said, "you'll have to be monitored." I shook my head, my hair slapping my cheeks. "No way." Monitored equaled babysat. Reports would be made, detailing my every mistake. Any sense of privacy I had would evaporate.

He didn't back down. "No exceptions. No negotiations."

Rome watched the entire exchange, attention volleying back and forth between us. Blank as his expression was, I had no idea what thoughts he entertained. Perhaps it was better that way. He'd just kissed me to climax, watched me catch on fire and had nearly lost his life - not to mention his eyebrows - because of me.

"Fine." A tremor raked my spine, vibrating into each of my limbs. Damn cold. "Tanner can - "

"I'll do it." Rome's voice echoed in the sudden silence.

"Which will cause you and Lexis to fight, and fighting isn't good for our cause," John said. "With your memory loss - "

"I haven't forgotten how to do my job," he snapped.

Nope, he'd just forgotten me.

"I'm damn good at what I do," Rome continued, "and I have more experience than anyone else you've got. You want to win this one, you'll send me out there. Whether Lexis and I fight or not, we would never compromise a mission."

"Fine," John said after a long pause, in which he'd probably been weighing each of his options. "Rome, you will monitor Belle. I'll expect daily reports."

Yep. I'd been right about those reports.

Rome nodded, anger defused since he'd gotten his way. "You'll get them." With their every word, the illusion that I was in charge of this mission was shattered, and it was beyond annoying. I had the most to win - and lose - if this thing went - Hey. Wait. If Rome acted as my

"monitor," he would have to spend all his time with me, and that's exactly what I'd wanted to happen. I almost smiled - until a new thought occurred to me. No longer did Rome observe me through rose-colored lenses. What if I irritated him so much he decided he didn't want to remember me?

"Lexis might not compromise a mission, but she'll compromise me," I muttered. It was the only argument I could think of.

Rome shrugged those strong shoulders. "No, she'll deal."

"And you'll keep your hands to yourself," John stated matter-of-factly, pointing at me, then Rome. "I won't have any more fires like this."

Outrage blustered through me. "You have no right - "

"No more fires," Rome interjected. "Nothing like this will happen again." It wouldn't, would it? I narrowed my gaze on him. He'd liked my kisses, I knew that. But he hadn't liked the consequences. Was I no longer worth the danger, then?

I could feel a hot poker jabbing at my chest, wanting out. Maybe he hadn't liked my kisses, after all.

Maybe he'd lied; maybe he hadn't been near climax. He wasn't panting, wasn't strained and desperate for release. His erection was gone.

If I wanted to keep the blanket draped over me rather than burn it away, I had to calm down. Again.

"Listen, Tobin mentioned that he had a friend who wanted to talk to me." Anything to change the subject.