Knock on the door? When? What time? Mary spun and raced through her door, her body primed for another close encounter of the Nick kind, the kisses of earlier that day fresh on her mind.
She knocked and waited. The sound of someone shuffling about inside made her heartbeat quicken. Maybe she’d catch him half undressed. Fire burned in her belly and spread lower.
Finally, the door opened.
A beautiful dark-haired female smiled at her. “Can I help you?”
Nick lay on the bed behind her, his chest bare, his jeans unbuttoned, a frown marring his handsome, two-timing face.
Chapter 9
Nick swung his legs over the side of the bed and flipped the laptop closed. “Mary, I thought you were going for a shower.”
Mary stood framed in the doorway. Minus the bulk of her winter jacket and sweatshirt, her pale blue turtleneck sweater hugged her body, accentuating the curve of her waist and the swell of her breasts. Light blond hair swung down around her shoulders in straight, silky strands despite their earlier tumble in the snow.
Nick’s pulse leaped and his jeans tightened. He hadn’t realized how much he liked having her around.
But her ready smile was absent, in its place her lush lips firmed into a thin line and her usually sky-blue eyes darkened into the color of a winter gray storm cloud. “You didn’t give me a time.” She shot a glance at the other woman in the room. “You’re busy. I can make it over to my father’s house on my own.”
She backed into the hallway. “In fact, it would probably be better if I did this alone. I have more right to be there than you. If I’m caught, I don’t think the police would do anything to me. So, I’ll just go.” She turned and made a run for her door.
Nick snagged her arm before she could twist the doorknob. “I want to go with you. A fresh pair of eyes might see something different than someone familiar with Santa’s belongings. Come back across the hall, I want you to meet Kat.”
Mary resisted the pressure he exerted on her arm, refusing to make eye contact with him. “No, I don’t want to interrupt anything between the two of you.” Her gaze connected with his bare chest and bounced to the woman standing in the doorway.
Kat had the insensitivity to grin. “Nick, I think you’re shocking her with your nakedness.” She grabbed his shirt from the bed and tossed it at him. “Put this on.”
Nick kept his hold on Mary’s arm, catching the shirt with his other hand. “I was just about to hit the shower but had to answer a call. Please, come back over, I’ve got some news.”
Mary hesitated, her gaze narrowing at the woman he’d called Kat and then him. What was wrong with her? She’d been much more willing to work with him a few minutes ago. What had changed? She was acting strange. Then again, he’d only seen her with people she knew.
Mary glanced at Kat, standing just inside his room.
Was Kat making her nervous? Although she was an SOS agent, she didn’t look threatening.
Kat nodded toward the shirt in Nick’s hand. “Ahem. The shirt?” When he just stood and stared at her, she rolled her eyes. “Even my husband might take offense at seeing me with you half-dressed.” She motioned toward Mary, who was staring down the hallway now, her face flushed pink.
A dim lightbulb clicked in Nick’s head. “Did you think that Kat and I were...”
The pink in Mary’s face deepened. “What you do is your own business.” She pried at Nick’s hand holding her arm. “Let go.”
Was Mary jealous of Kat? Nick laughed out loud. “Mary, Kat is a co-worker, not my lover.”
“Heaven forbid.” Kat grinned and stuck out her hand, drawing Mary through the door and shutting it behind her. “I’m Kat Si—er, Russell. Just got married. I’m not used to the new last name.”
“I’m surprised you didn’t keep your own,” Nick said. “What with women’s rights and all.”
“Sam wanted me to, but I kinda like the guy.” Kat’s face faded to a rosy shade of pink and she smiled at Mary. “I just got back from my honeymoon when our boss assigned me to help with this case.” She waved toward the laptop on the desk. “The manager of the B and B is getting a room ready for me. In the meantime, I’m using Nick’s room and WIFI.”
Mary’s stiff shoulders sagged. “You work with Nick?”
“That’s right. Although it’s been a while since we’ve been on assignment together.”
Mary crossed her arms over her chest. “And just what do you do?”
Kat laughed. “Nick’s given you the spiel I take it? Can’t tell you, secret organization, kinda like the CIA and FBI, but not?” She frowned. Although, we’re no longer a part of the US government. We’ve struck out on our own.”
Mary nodded. “Yeah. I take it you’re not going to tell me any more than that, are you?
