Five-foot-four. Olive, naturally tanned skin. High cheekbones. A perfect smile. And a set of gorgeous, brown, almond-shaped eyes that never failed to steal his focus every time they happened to turn his way.
Wish they’d turn my way a little more often.
“A word, Brooks.”
A slow smile lifted Jagger’s lips as Agent Foster walked straight past him without so much as a sideways glance. The intriguing woman kept looking forward, as if she knew he’d follow her wherever she went.
Pretty sure I’d follow her anywhere.
“Keep up the good work, Winslow.” He gave her a friendly—and totally professional—pat on the shoulder.
The skilled Echo Team member flashed another quick smile before readying her weapon once more. “Thanks.” She pulled the trigger one smooth exhale later, firing yet another perfect shot in the center of her target’s bullseye.
Jagger couldn’t decide whether he should be impressed…or scared.
Eh, what the hell. Color me impressed.
“What can I do for you, Agent Foster?” He stopped a safe distance from the woman in charge.
“That depends. Are you done flirting with Winslow, or do the two of you need more time to become better acquainted?”
The not-so-veiled accusation left him blinking with a set of rising brows. But then…was that a hint of jealousy he detected in her tone?
Nah. Couldn’t be.
The stoic beauty had never once shied away from her true feelings where he was concerned. Foster was not his biggest fan, of that, Jagger was certain. So no. No way his so-called “flirting” had made her jealous. Of course, that didn’t mean he couldn’t use the opportunity to push a few of the intriguing agent’s buttons.
He removed his sunglasses, holding them loosely at his side. He inched closer and closer to where she stood, not stopping until he was directly in front of her.
With his voice kept low and smooth as butter, Jagger slowly lifted one corner of his lips. “Oh, trust me, darlin’.” A deep, southern rumble. “You’ll know flirtin’ when you see it.”
Feeling drunk on warm vanilla and spice, he sent a quick wink her way. A muscle twitched at the side of her delicate jaw.
There it is.
The telltale sign that he’d gotten under her flawless skin. And damn, if he didn’t have to fight the urge to flash her a satisfying grin.
“Hunt and I just finished pairing everyone up for tomorrow’s op.” She ignored his obvious attempt to provoke. With her gorgeous gaze remaining hidden behind her dark lenses, sheadded, “Once we’re finished out here, we’ll head back inside and go over it all as a group.”
“Okay.” Jagger nodded, assuming there was more.
“You’ll be with me.” An unceremonious announcement. “Figured I’d give you the courtesy of a heads-up.”
Wait…what?
“Me?” Jagger didn’t bother concealing his surprise.
The woman always seemed annoyed as hell whenever he was around. Why would she choose him?
“Is that going to be a problem?”
“A problem?” he parroted with a quick shake of his head. “No, ma’am. No problem at all.”
Not for her, anyway. As for him, Jagger would just have to make damn sure he didn’t let himself become distracted.
Distractions in the field tended to get people dead. And there was no way in hell he’d let her or anyone else die because he couldn’t keep his eyes off of those tempting, toned curves or that perfect, heart-shaped?—
Agent Foster’s long, straight ponytail swayed with the breeze as she slid her sunglasses to the top of her head. The woman’s beautiful, caramel eyes finally met his, and damn if his heart didn’t slam against his chest.
