“Typical politician, eh?”
“Aren’t they all?” Ryker laughed.
Natalia joined in because yes. Yes, they were.
It was one of her biggest hesitations in making the move to Washington D.C. She’d always hated politics, and her feelings toward the men and women involved weren’t a whole lot better.
Of course, the same could probably be said for her and every other CIA spy.
At least Natalia’s jobs had always had the world’s best interests at heart. In politics, too many players were merely out for themselves, driven in their decisions by little more than power and greed.
“So.” Ryker blew out a breath, shoving his hands into his pants pockets. “You want to fill me in on what Lopez shared over a cup of mediocre coffee?”
“Sure.” Natalia nodded. “I just need to drop these off with the team, but after that, I’ll be good to go." She motioned to the documents still secured in her hand.
“How about I go grab two coffees to go? I can bring it by your office, and when you’re done dropping those off, we can just talk in there.”
“Sounds like a solid plan to me.”
“Great.” Ryker smiled. “I’ll be back in a few.”
With a quick wave, the two promptly parted ways. As promised, she left the folder with Lopez’s statement, as well as other evidentiary papers with the woman on her team in charge of finalizing the deal with the DOJ.
Once that was taken care of, Natalia went straight to her office. She shut the door with the toe of her black boot while reaching for her cell which was nestled in the back pocket of her pants.
“Hey, you,” Jagger greeted her with a smile she could hear through the phone.
Her lips curved at the sound of his deep, manly voice, and her heart kicked as she thought of all the things she wanted to do to him when she got home.
“Hey, yourself.” She moved across the room and took a seat behind her desk.
“You get anywhere with your guy?”
“As a matter of fact, I did. What about you? Liam been keeping you out of trouble while I’ve been gone?”
“Poor guy’s been tryin’,” he teased. “Of course, you know what a job that can be.”
“Boy, don’t I?” Natalia’s laugh revealed a hefty dose of sarcasm.
After a natural pause in conversation ensued, Jagger’s softened voice came through the line once more. “You aboutdone there, or should I see if my babysitter can stay later than planned?”
She laughed again. “I should be leaving within the hour.”
“Want me to order us some food so it’ll be here when you get back?”
“Yes, please.” Her stomach chose that exact moment to viciously growl. “Get whatever you want. I’m not picky.”
His tone deepened with a teasing, “You could’ve fooled me.”
She assumed he was referring to her still being single, and when it came to men, Natalia was absolutely picky. To her own determent most of the time, but that was just the way she was. It wasn’t her fault she was born with the good sense to be sure before considering something as big as settling down.
Is that what you’re doing? Are you really planning to settle down with Jagger?
If someone had asked her that same question two weeks ago, she would’ve burst out laughing in their face. But now…
Now that the thought is there, I can’t seem to stop it.
Natalia had never been the typical young girl with dreams of weddings and babies and white picket fences. As an adult, she’d developed almost an aversion to all things romance and love. Especially when she’d spent years surrounding herself with men who lied for a living.
