“You’re far too charming for your own good.”
“And that’s a bad thing?”
“It is when we have to play it cool in front of Jean-Michel. I want to get this stuff straightened out with the FBI and Duarte before I have to run the gauntlet of my interfering, protective boss.”
“You know that I know, Jean-Michel, right?”
“Of course you do.” A shake of her head, her curls bouncing. “Just not likeIdo. Trust me when I say that we need to proceed with baby steps.” Her mouth kicks up. “Otherwise you may be the one who ends up living in Iowa.”
“I hear Iowa’s great,” I tease then add when I see the protest growing on her face, “I’m not in any hurry to share you with the rest of the world, gorgeous. So long as you’re in my arms every night, I’ll wait as long as you want before we take on Dubois.”
Thirty-Five
Marie
Beyond late becausemy morning chat and cuddle with Jace turned into a morning lovefest that ended with both of us naked and me experiencing three glorious orgasms to his one, I hustle through the door toward my boss, my head spinning with details and excitement.
Because Attie was excited by what I found too.
Because we’re closing in.
Fuckingfinally.
“Jace,” Jean-Michel says, pushing out of his chair and moving toward us, hand extended for Jace to shake. “Just a second,” he tells him before turning to me and taking my arm.
God, my heart squeezes, my boss is such a good guy.
And I’m so glad he found a woman who finally appreciates all of that goodness.
But when he starts to guide me from his office, likely intending to give me privacy, I dig in my heels and say, “No.” I nod at Jace. “Mr. Henderson is the reason we found the connection.”
Jean-Michel frowns, blue eyes flicking between Jace and me. “What connection?”
I open my mouth. Close it. Unsure where to start.
Thankfully, Jace bails me out.
“Duarte tried to fuck us over too,” he says, handing over the stack of papers I pulled together last night. Jean-Michel’s frown deepens as he starts quickly flipping through them—contracts, emails, and?—
I watch him go still.
And I know why—both the Lyon family and Angela’s name are all over those papers. The real estate company, the Duarte contract, the security reports, the scientist at Genen-core.
It’s concrete evidence of her connection with the trafficking ring that Agent Phillips has been trying so hard to bring down.
Speaking of?—
“I called Attie,” I tell him. “And she’s coming down to talk while her team heads to Mr. Henderson’s office.” There’s excitement in my voice, so much so that I can practically feel it bubbling through my insides.
Or maybe that’s just because I’m next to Jace.
Champagne in my veins. Hope in my heart. Love in my?—
I jerk my gaze away from Jace.
He’s wearing another suit that is temptation personified, and I’m having a hard time keeping my professional focus.
Hard to do when I want to launch myself in his arms and lick him all over.
