Get back to the mission, Jace. Do what you came for.He considered whispering in her ear, but that might be heard, even over the shower’s stream. He pulled back and leveled a look at her.
Amy’s eyes widened seconds before a crinkle pulled at her pretty brow.
Jace gave his ear two distinct taps, and then waved a finger between the two. He mouthed, rather than whispered,they’re listening.
Now those brown eyes went wide and worried, but Jace pulled her right back into his arms. “If I don’t leave now,” he said, “we’ll regret it later on.” He kissed her again, inwardly begging the heavens for a replay of this moment later in life, minus the threat over Amy’s head. As he moved to leave, the steamed-up mirror caught his eye. He reached over, pressed his finger on the glass. Then, with the lightest bit of pressure so it wouldn’t squeak, he spelled out a few simple words.
Ask for ice cream.
Wordlessly,Amy mouthed,now?
Jace shook his head and pointed a thumb toward the door.
She nodded in understanding.
Jace hated the fear he saw on her face. It reminded him of the tormented moment she’d given in to the day before. He forced a partial grin. “I’ll let you finish up in here.” And with that, Jace stepped out and headed back down the hall.
The waiting game was officially over, and now it was time to circle the wagons. Or planes was more like it. Things were about to go down, and if Jace wanted this done on his terms, they’d have to initiate the sting op sooner rather than later. They were up against a giant this time, with the double takedown hovering in the balance, but Jace prayed they could do what they’d done so many times before. Adapt and overcome.
* * *
Amy staredat her slippers while she brushed out her wet hair.Natural, Amy. You have to sound natural.The moment with Jace beside the steamy shower was nearly as thrilling as it was terrifying. Kissing her one minute, warning her the next. Delivering a kiss so passionate she’d nearly lost her footingandher towel. All to let her know they were listening? The idea begged a billion questions, all of which would have to wait. She had a job to do.
She sucked in a deep breath, rested her brush on the vanity, and stepped into her slippers.
“You know what sounds good?” Amy said as she strode down the hall. In case he really did plan to go someplace for ice cream, she’d thrown on a pair of cut-off sweats and a tee shirt.
“What’s that, babe?” Jace called from the dining room table.
Babe.She liked that. Even if it was just for show.Was it, though? She’d give anything to know.
In the kitchen, Jace sat before his open laptop, eyes pasted on the screen. A mug of coffee at his side said he was preparing for a long night. Amy should probably brace herself for the same. She wanted to know exactly who was listening and how. Had someone broken into the home and decoded the alarm without Jace’s knowledge? Had they gone through her room and set up cameras? She wondered how long they’d been listening. What they might have already heard.
“Ice cream,” she blurted, remembering the simple task he’d given her. A tremble sounded in her voice when she said it. That probably wasn’t good, since it might tip them off that she was nervous.Themmeaning the creeps who were somehow listening. Amy had seen this type of thing in the movies about a million times, but she never imagined she’d be in a position like this herself.Come on, Amy, you can do better than that.
“Let’s go to Cone Toppers. You can get that pineapple one you like, and I’ll get cheesecake with fresh raspberries and that white chocolate drizzle.”
Jace leaned back in his seat, his gaze fixed on her. The dimple in his cheek showed itself for a flash, then disappeared. “Yours sounds better than mine.”
She laughed despite the nerves building in her chest.Only with him. Jace made her feel like she was capable of anything.“Then you can get that one too.”
“Maybe I will.” He closed his laptop and scooted his chair out. “All right,” he said. “Cone Toppers it is. But only because I already raided your freezer and came up empty.”
Good. His reply made her feel like she’d been convincing enough.Watch out, Julia Roberts,she thought wryly, here comes Average Amy.
Jace stepped over to the coat closet, tugged her thin, pink hoodie off the hanger, and held it up for her.
Amy pushed her arms through in turn. It was starting to get chilly at night, something that didn’t seem to bother Jace. “Thanks.”
Soon they were climbing into Jace’s SUV, but not before he circled the car and kicked at the tires. “Tire dealership texted me,” he explained after settling in behind the wheel. “Said it’s time to get them rotated but it doesn’t look like they need it to me.”
Amy guessed, by what Jace said, that he suspected they were being listened to even still. And watched as well, she realized; he’d been explaining his reason for circling the SUV. She slid the seatbelt over her lap, looking at Jace for direction.
He held her gaze and gave her a slow nod. “At any rate, this thing’s a mess after the rainstorm. I’m gonna run her through the car wash on the way to Toppers.”
Amy nodded and pulled in a breath through what felt like flattened lungs. This was an invasion. First her home, now Jace’s car.
She sucked in a slow, deep breath, trapped it in her lungs for a bit, and released it through pursed lips. Darts of panic shot past the barrier she was working to build, but Amy ignored them and tried again.Deep breaths, Amy. Things will be fine.
