His hold tightened. “You have to know who you trust. There has to be somebody you give all the truth to, or you’ll go nuts. For this case, it’s you and me. No lies.” The rain splattered the windshield harder, and he flicked on the wipers.
She couldn’t do this. Not really. But she couldn’t tell him that. “I don’t really trust well.”
“You trust me, right?” he asked.
She wasn’t sure. “Yes.”
“And I can trust you, correct?” He drove onto the Interstate.
She mulled over the question for several miles. It was true. He could trust her, even though she couldn’t tell him everything. “I won’t let you down.” It was the truth. That had to count, right?
“I know,” he murmured. He exited the Interstate and drove down the street, his free hand more than capable on the steering wheel. Finally, they pulled into the parking area, and he shut off the engine. “I enjoyed our dinner. You’re a lovely date.” He opened his door and pulled her across the seat to lift her against his chest before shutting his door. Ducking his head over her and shielding her from the rain, he leaped over a mud puddle.
She bounced up, and he caught her, running faster.
Exhilaration swept through her, and she manacled her arm around his neck, laughing as he ran into the building and up the two flights of stairs as if she weighed nothing. Finally, he set her on her feet at her door.
Her hair fell down around her shoulders, barely wet. Her breath came in gasps, and nothing could’ve prevented the smile that curved her mouth. “You are seriously strong and in good shape.” She laughed. She wasn’t exactly a lightweight, and he wasn’t even close to being out of breath. This side of Raider, the fun side, was way too appealing, and she was getting caught up in the fantasy of being with him.
“I do all right.” He brushed a wild curl away from her temple before gently grasping her chin.
The amusement inside her popped and dissipated, leaving electricity arcing through her. “Raider.” She had to tell him everything. Keeping secrets was too hard for her.
His eyes darkened. “Yeah.” Lifting her chin, he lowered his head, and his lips touched hers. Firm and warm, his mouth curved against hers, and then he kissed her. Slow and sweet, seeking, his muscled body backing her against the door at the same time.
Heat pooled in her abdomen, sliding desire through her veins to brush every nerve into languid awareness. She let a soft sigh escape her, and she levered herself up on her toes, kissing him back. She curled her hands over his strong shoulders, pressing against him, opening her mouth.
He took advantage, kissing her deeper, brushing his tongue against hers.
She jerked at the contact, wanting more. Needing more.
He gentled the kiss and released her mouth, leaning back. “Ah, Irish. You’re a sweet thing, aren’t you?” The Southern drawl came out low and hungry.
She shivered. Wow. Just holy wow. “Um.”
He smiled and took her key to open her door. “Stay here.” Then he searched the apartment, returning to drop the key in her hand. Finally, he placed a soft kiss on her nose. “Have a good night. We’ll practice touching more tomorrow.”
She wandered into her apartment, her mind spinning and her body fluid. This was such a huge mistake. They had to trust each other? She couldn’t even come close. Letting a sigh loose, she bunched her legs for balance and pushed the dining table across the room to bar the door. Once again.
Chapter Nine
After a sleepless night, a rushed morning, and a turbulent flight on a commuter jet to upstate NewYork, during which Raider kept his promise to touch her lightly on the hand, on the face, just casually, Brigid was ready to crawl out of her own skin from need. They landed after dinnertime, but it was still nice and bright outside. She stood off to the side of the car rental counter in the tiny regional airport while Raider efficiently filled out paperwork and accepted keys to one of three cars sitting outside the door.
He moved toward her, all grace in motion. The torn jeans, worn T-shirt, and battered leather jacket made him look like a badass out for a good time. The shadow along his jawline added temptation to an already appealing male. The perfect guy for some nice girl to try and tame. “Our car is the one in the middle,” he said absently, folding the rental agreement into perfect lines before grasping the handle of his carry-on luggage.
“So you’re talking to me now?” she muttered, rolling her bag toward the door.
“I wasn’t not talking to you,” he said, sliding a pair of sunglasses out of his pocket to shield his eyes. “Did you memorize our cover story?”
“Of course.” She’d spent most of the flight studying their backgrounds, which were similar to their real backgrounds. Except that Raider headed a criminal enterprise that used computers for all sorts of crimes. “My father isn’t going to like you.”
“I think that’s the point,” Raider murmured, holding the door open for her to step into the evening sunshine.
She blinked and tugged her glasses out of her purse, slipping them into place. Once they’d secured their bags in the trunk, she fastened her seat belt and waited as Raider adjusted his seat and finally ignited the engine. “You seem upset about the kiss last night,” she said, unable to keep quiet any longer.
“Not at all.” His gaze focused. “Sorry. I always take a little time to myself before an op. I didn’t mean to shut you out. At all.”
Oh. Well, then. “Okay.” So he hadn’t been stewing over the fantastic kiss like she had. Maybe he’d even slept like a baby. That didn’t seem fair. “I don’t have much of a cover. It’s just me going for the wrong guy.” Something she’d done plenty of times in her life.
