“You need an engagement ring for this op,” Heath said, his eyes a burning green. “I thought this was pretty.”
“Pretty?” She shook her head, fantasies of this very moment running through her brain. Butthiswasn’t a moment. Not the real one. Why did her body feel like it was real? “It’s incredible. Have you lost your mind? You didn’t have to spend a fortune for an op.”
He pulled the ring from the box and took her left hand, a slight flush emphasizing his strong cheekbones. “This matches your eyes.” Without giving her a chance to protest, he slid the ring onto her finger. Satisfaction curved his lips. “Fits perfectly.”
Her body short-circuited, and her lungs compressed. The beautiful ring did fit perfectly. Heath’s ring. She was wearing Heath’s ring, and he’d purchased it especially for her. Her heart warmed while her adrenaline spiked. Panic? Did she want this to be too real? Was she getting lost in fantasyland? “I, ah—”
He brought her hand to his mouth and kissed it. “I guess the world will know you’re mine for now.”
The words. Possessive and determined—and way too appealing. He was too appealing on so many levels. She coughed. Reality. Grab on to reality. “I hope you saved the receipt,” she said weakly.
He nodded, tension rolling from him. “This is dangerous tonight, so get your head in the op. Give me ten minutes to get ready, and then we’ll go over the plan. I want you armed at all times.”
She shook her head. “There will be metal detectors protecting the entrances of the building.” With almost desperate relief, she concentrated on the job at hand and not her actual hand. The ring caught the light and sparkled, nearly mesmerizing her. Tempting her. Making her want things she shouldn’t want. “Denver checked out the security, and no weapons allowed tonight, since the mayor will be there.”
“Oh.” Heath frowned. “All right. Then you don’t move more than two inches from me all night. I haven’t had a chance to train you yet.” Without waiting for an answer, he turned and hurried into the bedroom.
Anya looked down at the ring again. God. It was incredible. Why had he done it? Her heart lurched, and she had to stop that right now. This was work related. The beautiful emerald didn’t look work related. Why was he confusing her like this? A sweetness lived in Heath Jones that drew her as much as his strength. It hadn’t been a real proposal, and yet he’d chosen the perfect ring for her. That had to mean something. Right?
She continued to worry the issue over in her mind, her legs all but glued in place. Finally, she heard him moving throughout the bedroom.
“Which suit should I put on?” he called. “There are five of them here.”
“The black one,” she said automatically. The man looked sexier than hell in black, so why not enjoy that fact? “Put on the dark green tie with it.” It would bring out the green in his eyes. “And Zara said no boots with the suit. There are very nice Italian leather shoes by the suits.”
“Okay,” he called back.
They were acting like a couple, even without the ring. She had to get a grip on herself before she started daydreaming like a teenage girl. The beautiful ring on her finger felt like a claim, and a part of her, deep down, reveled in the fact. What would it be like to truly belong with a man like Heath? Pretty exciting, she imagined.
A knock sounded, and Denver opened the door to poke his head in. “Hi.”
She turned. “Hello.”
He straightened and opened the door wider, one arm banded around a cardboard box holding a wide-eyed bird. “You look beautiful.”
Heat filled her face. “Thank you. Um, who’s your friend?”
Denver looked down at the little guy. “He’s Heath’s friend. Guy rescues hurt animals everywhere we go.” Denver shuffled his feet. “Let him know I took the little guy to the park down the street to let him free.” He shut the door.
Her heart pounded. Hard. Heath saved lost animals and lost people. She glanced down at the sparkling ring again. How could she not care for him? He was amazing. Unreal. Honorable and dangerous at the same time.
“You ready to go?” Heath prowled into the living room.
Her body short-circuited again . . . head to toe. Her mouth went dry. Talk about spectacular. Heath in a full suit with a power tie, his hair brushed back, his hard face cleanly shaven, was the sexiest man she’d ever seen. In real life or on television. The suit emphasized his broad chest and powerful legs, fitting him perfectly. A wild animal minimally contained within its expensive folds. “You’re beautiful,” she breathed.
His face creased in a smile. “I think that’s my line.”
“No.” She shook her head. If masculinity could be beautiful, he was. She’d never equated power and strength with beauty before right that second. There was a danger to his beauty, and that drew her inexplicably. “No matter what happens, I’ll never forget you, Heath,” she murmured.
He paused, his gaze sweeping her. “You’re a sweetheart, Anya. The truth of you—all kindness.”
“No.” She barely smiled. “I was just stating a fact.” Okay. Enough with the raw emotions. She steeled her shoulders. “All right. Let’s go.” She hustled over to the coat closet by the door. “Zara purchased coats, too.”
“She loves Internet shopping—especially on credit,” Heath said over Anya’s shoulder, helping her into a soft wool coat. “Are you ready for tonight?”
She thought she had been ready, but now she wasn’t sure. The very real truth was she was playing a game of chess with a brilliant killer, and there was no guarantee she’d win. Not really. Her knees wobbled. “I’m ready for the party. It’s just a meet and greet. No worries.” She kept her voice light to hide her doubts.
“Good.” He gently pulled her hair out from under the coat’s collar.
