She slid behind the wheel. “Thanks for having my back.”
“Always. Nice job under pressure.”
“Thank you.” She flipped open her laptop. “The tracker is active. One down, one to go.”
They returned to Internado’s neighborhood, but the senator didn’t emerge. After several hours, Maverick’s stomach growled so loudly that Carly called it a day.
“We don’t even know if he’s there,” Maverick said, after wolfing down a sandwich at a sub shop.
She leaned across the table. “Until I can track his vehicle, I have no way of knowing where he is.”
That evening, Maverick endured another night alone because his make-believe wife slept in the damn stateroom next door.
Monday, five in the morning, Carly hurried into the main cabin, her leather workbag clutched in her hand. After spending Sunday staking out Internado’s house, she’d made no progress whatsoever. Internado hadn’t ventured out, but his wife had driven to Richmond.
Carly had endured another night of restless sleep. She was desperate to accept Ashton’s invitation and sleep in his bed. But she refused to allow her feelings to direct her actions. Sex the first time to help him out; the second time was for her. Going forward, she’d cool her jets, except for whatever was required during their sleuthing at Greta’s. Just because she adored the man didn’t mean she had to act on it going forward.
She couldn’t allow their relationship to devolve into a “friends with benefits”. She didn’t just love Ash, she adored his family, too. If things didn’t work out, she would lose her best friend and his beloved family. Nothing is ever simple when Ash is involved.
She found him finishing a bowl of cereal and dressed for work in a pink button down and suit pants. Her heart stuttered as she soaked up all that masculine beauty. No matter what he wore—or didn’t wear—he was a striking man.
“Hey, babe.”
She wanted to touch him so badly her fingers ached. “Good morning.”
He took his time checking her out. “Headed back to Internado’s?”
She’d worn the chestnut wig, a baseball cap, and workman’s clothing.
“I want to catch him when he leaves for work.”
“Call me if you need anything.”
“Same.” Unable to stop herself, she leaned down and brushed her lips against his. Their sizzling connection sent tingles skittering through her.
“Stop fighting this,” he murmured.
“I’m keeping things in perspective.” She bolted out and slipped on her sunglasses.
My “perspective” is skewed when it comes to that man. I’m really just trying to keep myself together.
She drove the rental van to Internado’s neighborhood and parked down the street. At ten minutes past six, a black sedan backed out of the driveway. Though she wanted to reach for her binoculars, she didn’t. As it drove by, she confirmed the sole occupant was the senator himself.
After unearthing a small device from her leather bag, she set it to “jam” and drove forward. As she rolled past Internado’s home, she pressed the activation button, but the light stayed red. Dammit. She drove around the block to try again.
As she neared Internado’s home, a neighbor walking a Rottweiler flagged her down. She pulled over, cracked open the window.
“I noticed you’ve been driving around the block,” he said. “Are you lost?”
Her stomach dropped. Being spotted was never a good thing. “I’m cool. Thanks.”
“Maybe I can help. What’s the address or who are you looking for?”
“I’m waiting for my partner. We’ve got a job on Holly Lane. This is Holly, right?”
“That’s around the corner.” The dog jumped on the door of the van and barked, startling her. The man stepped closer. “He’s real friendly. Come on out and pet him.”
Hair on the back of Carly’s neck prickled. Using her elbow, she locked the van door. “I’ve gotta get to work.” She pressed the gas pedal and rolled away.
