Talia stopped in her tracks so abruptly, he nearly passed her by.
“You want to talk? Fine. Let’s talk. How about we start with the fact that you just ruined theoneplace in the city I could come to blow off some steam?”
“That what you were doing with Pencil Dick in there?” He inched a tad closer. “You just blowing off some steam?”
“What I do, and for that matter who I do it with, is none of your business.” Those dark brows of hers dipped low in the center. “And why are you even here?”
“I went by your house tonight to apologize. But then I saw you leave, so?—”
“You followed me.”
“Yes.”
Jagger watched as those impressive wheels of hers turned and could almost guess what was coming next.
“Wait, how did you even know where I li—” Her eyes fell shut with a sigh. “Liam.”
“The man does come in handy at times.”
“Go home, Jagger,” Natalia ordered a second time. “And I don’t just mean your hotel.”
She turned and started to leave. Made it all of three steps before he admitted, “I don’t have a hotel.” Not yet, anyway.
Talia’s steps faltered before she stopped and faced him with a scowl. “It’s after eleven at night. If you don’t have a room, where are you staying?”
“Don’t know yet.” He moved with cautious steps toward her. “Suppose I’ll figure that out when the time comes.”
The lines in her face began to smooth as her look of pure anger morphed into one of confused frustration. “Why are you really here, Jagger?” She crossed her arms at her chest. “And no bullshit, either. I want you to tell me the truth.”
Talia was so focused on him, she had no idea that little move with her arms pushed her breasts up and together beneath the top of the dress. Her cleavage grew deeper. The swells of her curves lifted higher. And she had no idea how hard he was fighting against the urge to reach out and pull her into his arms.
She wanted the truth, and he’d silently vowed never to lie to this woman again. So there, beneath the parking lot lights, that was exactly what he gave.
“The truth is I can’t stop thinking about you.” He took a step toward her. “And not because I think you’re a dirty agent or that you’re caught up in Sanchez’s smuggling ring.”
“Then why?”
“Honestly? I don’t know.” Jagger huffed out a breath with a quick shake of his head. “Could be that strength and fearlessness I see in your pursuit of what’s just and right. Or the way you try so hard not to smile when I can tell it’s killing you not to.” Another step. “Maybe it’s all that long, silky hair I dream abouttouching. Or those luscious, tempting lips I want to taste every time you’re near.”
“Jagger?”
“All I know is, no matter what I do or how hard I try, I can’t get you out of my head.”
Talia’s arms fell away slowly until they were hanging back at her sides. She stared up at him with an almost dumfounded expression. “Why are you telling me this?”
Her voice was softer now. Not angry, like before.
“Because you asked for the truth.” He swallowed. “And because I went to your place tonight to tell you I will never try to trick you again.”
Her golden gaze searched his. “No more lies?”
“Not one.”
“Even if telling me the truth will piss me off?”
“Especially then.” He grinned.
But Talia’s ruby red lips turned down at the corners. “Why especially then?”
