“Then it’s settled. We’ll see you up at the house in fifteen minutes.” Mae rises from the couch, taking Josie’s arm and leading her to the door and out of my home.
“What’s wrong?” Ember looks at me, her hand absently stroking Barney’s head.
“I’m just not very good at card games, that’s all.” I lie, not wanting to tell her I’d rather stay home with her than share her with Gray and his family. “The foster homes I bounced around to weren’t big on family game night.” Shit, why did I tell her that? The last thing I need is her pity. But instead of pity in her eyes, I see a kindred spirit. She knows what it’s like to want a normal family life but never got it. Even though we were raised in two different worlds, our childhoods weren’t that different. “We should probably get going before Mae sends a search party out for us.” I joke, trying to lighten the mood.
“It’s not Mae I’m worried about. I’m more worried about Josie. Did you see the look in her eyes? I think if we didn’t show up, she’d come back and drag us there.” We laugh like an old married couple sharing a joke until I remind myself this isn’t real—Ember is just part of my assignment—an asset, as Gray calls them.
***
“You’re cheating!” Josie accuses her father. “I know you have two aces in your hand, Dad.” I’m not sure how we ended up playing Go Fish, but here we are, four adults and a twelve-year-old going on thirty-two, playing a children’s game. But it doesn’tmatter to me what game we’re playing as long as Ember is happy, and by the smile on her face, she’s extremely happy.
“Okay, okay.” Gray holds up his hands in defeat. “Here you go.” He pulls out the two aces from his cards and hands them to Josie. “You win. Trace and I need to take a break. Why don’t you ladies play chase the ace while Trace and I dish up dessert?” It’s a ploy to get me alone to discuss the assignment. I knew it was coming, but I wasn’t ready for it. “It looks to me like you’re getting pretty cozy with your asset. She’s even wearing your clothes. Don’t think I didn’t notice.” Gray says as soon as the kitchen door shuts behind us.
I feel like a little kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar. “It’s not like that, Gray. She didn’t have anything else to wear to game night. Our relationship is purely professional.”
Gray stares for what feels like forever, sweat breaking out on my neck, and I almost confess my attraction to Ember. I guess that’s what makes him so good at his job. “Well, make sure it stays professional. Tonight was Josie’s idea, so I let it slide, but you have to get Ember back out in the public eye so we can capture the guy who’s after her.”
Damn, I’d almost forgotten the assignment, so wrapped up in these strange feelings for Ember that I lost sight of the endgame.
“Not a problem. I’ll take her to a club tomorrow night.”
“You do that. And make sure to let her dance with other guys. That’s the best way to draw this guy out.”
I clench my jaw, not wanting to picture Ember dancing with anyone but me. But I know my assignment. “Yes, Sir.”
seven
Ember
I’m surprised by howpatient Trace was this morning while we were shopping for my new casual clothes. The only awkward moments were when he had to help me into his truck. The touch of his hands on my waist will be forever burned into my brain.
“I can’t thank you enough for taking me shopping today.” I turn my head to the side as I speak. Trace offered to teach me how to ride a horse, but I didn’t expect we’d share one. My new clothes are perfect for horseback riding. I feel like a real cowgirl in my jeans, cowboy boots, plaid button-up shirt, and even a cowboy hat.
I'm not sure what I expected when Trace asked me whether I was comfortable riding a horse by myself or wanted to ride with him on his horse. Especially since every time his horse takes a step, my ass hits Trace’s groin, and I keep getting a glimpse of the impressive bulge in his pants I've been trying not to stare at since the first day I met him.
Maybe I should have lied and told him I was an excellent horse rider. Now I'm being tortured by sexual frustration, and Trace seems unaffected by our proximity as he points out the highlights of the ranch while we pass by. The only indication he's as uncomfortable as I am is the faint little grunts and groans that occasionally slip from his lips. They definitely help my mood, knowing I'm not the only one suffering.
I'm not as good as Trace at hiding my lust from him. My body is on fire and needs relief. I press down every time Trace’s groin presses up. My body unconsciously grinds against his with each descent. My clit rubs along the zipper of my tight, stretched denim jeans, dampening my panties. Trace's strong arm circlesmy waist, tethering me to him like a lifeline. I'm seconds away from bliss when the horse stops moving.
“We’ve got company, darlin’.”
I want to scream in frustration until I realize our company is none other than Josie and Mae, riding toward us on their horses.
“Hey, Ember and Trace, are you up for family movie night tonight?” The excitement in Josie’s tone is catching, and I find myself starting to say yes when Trace tightens his hold around my waist.
“Sorry, Josie, but I promised Ember I’d take her out to one of the clubs in town tonight.” His body tenses behind me. “She’s been wanting to check out Valor Springs’ nightlife since she got here.”
Of course, we aren’t in a real relationship; we have a job to do, and part of it is finding the creep who supposedly wants to harm either Elsa or me. Slipping into my fake persona, I playfully swat Trace’s arm. “Yeah, it’s about time my babysitter let me cut loose and have some fun for a change.”
“Oh, okay.” Josie’s whole demeanor changes, and I hate that I’m the one who caused it.
“Maybe some other time, Josie,” I add, trying to soften the blow.
“Yeah, whatever.” She guides her horse, turning him the other direction. “Come on, Aunt Mae, let’s go home.”
I’ve never felt worse in my life than I do right now. Josie’s a sweet kid, but I can’t get too close to her. I won’t be here that long anyway.
“Let’s go back home to.” I frown at Josie and Mae’s retreating backs. “I need to get ready for my big night.”
