Simon shook his head in disgust.
She was running a Ponzi con with her old man and bungled it. If the agent in charge had been patient, hed have had a solid case.
Thats your opinion, Hunter said, his tone one degree colder than before. It took Simon a heartbeat to remember that the agent in charge of the Black case was Hunters father.
It doesnt matter. Im not here on official business. Im just here, checking out the view, he hedged, returning to the reason for Hunters call.
Youre stepping on dangerous ground, Hunter warned.
I live for danger. That wasnt the official FBI motto, but Simon had seen enough of it in his nine years with the agency that he figured he had the right to use it as an excuse.
Dont die for it, Hunter responded in typical fashion before hanging up.
Simon grinned. You had to like the guy. He was crazy smart, scary intuitive and could kick some serious ass, too. And he didnt hold the reins too tight on his agents. Which was why Simon wasnt too worried about stepping outside the lines in this matter. Hunter was more about results than he was about micromanaging. Yet another reason Simon wanted that transfer. Working with the elite would let him hone his skills, and fast track him toward his own shot at Deputy Director.
Something hed dreamed of since he was a kid. That dream had been the impetus to haul himself out of the dregs that was his childhood. Not just to survive, but to thrive. Making that dream come true would prove, not just to him, but to everyone whod ever doubted him, that he was more than the loser with no future.
Which brought him back to the voluptuous delight laughing and doing the twist by the twinkling lights of the ten-foot Christmas tree. She was hot. She was sexy. And she was his ticket. Not to the next rung on the ladder, but to jumping up three or four rungs at once.
Tobias Black was a legend. Reputed con artist whod done more jobs than a hooker in the financial district at lunchtime. He was slick, quick and according to most, untouchable. Intel had him retiring to go straight about five years back, but the statute of limitations wasnt up on all of his crimes yet. Simon knew that busting the old man, where so many had failed over the years, would be a guarantee of fame, accolades and a corner office in FBI headquarters, D.C.
He hadnt figured out how, yet. But he was pretty sure the guys only daughter would be his key. He just had to wait for the right break. That hed already been waiting for two years, checking in on Maya from time to time, didnt bother him. Patience was a weapon hed honed to a razor-sharp edge.
Every few months he laid over in San Francisco to do a little recon and see what she was up to. Sooner or later, shed get edgy and tire of this straight game she was playing.
Sooner or later, shed give him the opening he needed.
Then hed have her.
And his future would be set.
WHEW, I NEED A BREAK. Maya DeLongue slid the fingers of both hands into her hair and lifted it, trying to get some cool air on the back of her neck. Its crazy hot in here. Can we get a drink?
Sure, sugar. Her date wrapped his hand around her waist, pulling her close. Always wary of public displays of affection that might call attention to her, Maya shifted, taking Daves hand off her waist and making a show of holding it instead as he led her from the dance floor.
Braverment Investments knew how to show their employees a good time. Plenty of alcohol flowing, just enough food to blunt the worst of the booze overload and music loud enough to prevent the employees from actually having to socialize. It was a hit.
A tension headache brewing, Maya already regretted coming.
Shed spent the last three years trying to be average in her version of the witness protection program, or in her case, the criminal protection program. Her position in IT at Braverment was perfect for her. It paid enough to keep her in the style her tastes required, in a company large enough to let her hide in plain sight. But the powers-that-be probably wouldnt be too big on hiring a gal whod spent her formative years specializing in computer hacking.
But average was lonely.
So shed promised herself that this season she was going to quit hiding away. She had to be able to hide her true identity and have a fun, average life at the same time. So shed forced herself to shimmy into a little green holiday dress and play the part of a social butterfly.
Sighing, she shifted in her Jimmy Choos and stepped through the wide glass doors onto the rooftop balcony. The cold December night wrapped around her body, making her shiver. The view of the fog-shrouded Golden Gate Bridge more than made up for the chilly weather, though.
Hey, Carly, she greeted when they reached one of the many tables scattered under the night sky. Can we join you?
Maya wasnt especially fond of the other woman, another assistant at the investment firm they both worked for. The busty blonde was ambitious, backstabbing and didnt play well with the other girls. But Maya knew she had to play nice with people like Carly to keep their knives as far away from her own back as possible.
Sure, the blonde agreed, puffing on her cigarette and checking Dave out before waving a hand to indicate the empty chairs.
Can I get you ladies drinks? Dave offered.
Martini, Carly agreed instantly.
Ill stick with water, Maya said. Seeing their looks, she excused, Im a little dehydrated from all the dancing.
The truth was, she didnt drink alcohol. Ever. But neither did she like explaining herself, so she kept that little fact private.
She folded herself into one of the chairs, enjoying the way Daves gaze roamed over her legs. In her quest for a normal, average life, shed finally given herself permission to date a guy she might have a future with. Sure, this was only their third date, but she had high hopes for Dave. He was nice.
A martini and a water, Dave said, his eyes glommed on to her thighs. Got it.
With a grin and a wink, he turned on his heel and hurried back into the party. Maya sighed. It was pretty obvious that someone thought he was getting lucky tonight.
Hes hot. Are you two serious? Carly asked.
Maya glanced at the blonde before her gaze followed the path Dave had taken. He was hot. Sorta. Sorta-tall, sorta-dark, sorta-handsome. Sure, that sexy bad-boy edge that usually drew her was missing. But that was the point. That made him safe, which was priority number one.
Were having fun, she said, sidestepping the question. How about you? Are you here with someone?
They spent the next few minutes exchanging desultory chit chat. Mayas gaze wandered, noting the twinkling lights framing the balcony, the few occupied tables and the noted lack of excitement she was feeling.
Shed been doing this normal life thing for three years now. In part, to prove she could. But mostly because shed never had normal growing up. Like some kids craved the exotic, shed craved average.
But shed come to realize that average, after a while, was pretty damned boring. Hence Dave. And he was a nice guy. She just didnt feel any real excitement, any wildly hot energy between them.
Maybe it was time to move on?
She was still mulling that idea, and just what it would mean to her life, when Dave returned with the drinks. She listened to him and Carly chat and wondered what it was like to be that carefree. For a girl whod been calculating the odds since her toddler years, the concept was totally foreign.
Maybe it was time to move on?
She was still mulling that idea, and just what it would mean to her life, when Dave returned with the drinks. She listened to him and Carly chat and wondered what it was like to be that carefree. For a girl whod been calculating the odds since her toddler years, the concept was totally foreign.
Maya, you dont mind if I borrow your friend for a dance or two? Carly asked, slinking to her feet in a move worthy of the most sinuous snake in the jungle.
Maya smirked when she saw the slight bulge of Daves eyes as he got the full impact of Carlys double Ds. She couldnt blame him. The view was mesmerizing, in a train-wreck kind of way.
Sure, she said. Then she added, But just a couple dances. I expect him back in the same shape youre borrowing him.
Dave laughed like a giddy schoolboy, but Carly caught the message. Her vamp smile dimmed a notch, then she nodded before leading Dave away. As they entered the room, though, Maya saw the other womans hand slip over Daves ass.
She should be jealous. Pissed, even. But she wasnt. Why not? He was a nice guy. And he fit perfectly into her average life. Her nice, average boyfriend. Someone to ease her loneliness. Maya sighed, wishing the cool night air would clear her head of all the confusing thoughts.
She stood to walk toward the balcony wall and get a better view of the Golden Gate, but accidentally knocked her water bottle off the table as she rose.
It spun across the outdoor carpet toward the shadows. She hurried over to grab it just as it rolled to a stop at a pair of feet clad in high-end cowboy boots.
Maya sighed. A cowboy in California? Oh, please.
Keeping her eye roll to herself, she stopped a foot away and checked out the rest of the wild west show. Her mental sneer shifted as her gaze climbed up long, long jeans-clad legs, a leather belt around a narrow waist and a chest that begged to be nuzzled. The collar of a dark green shirt was opened, his jacket looked pricey and she let her gaze finish the climb.
And felt the earth shift just a little.
Oh, baby, he was gorgeous.
A square jaw and slashing cheekbones were the perfect frame for a face that could sell magazines, cars and womens souls. Long-lashed eyes echoed the green of his shirt, his lips were kissably full and the only thing keeping him from being a pretty boy was a scar, high on his cheekbone.
One side of his mouth quirked in amusement at her inspection as he bent down to grab the bottle.
Yours? he asked, his voice declaring his right to wear those thousand-dollar cowboy boots. Cultured, rich and definitely Southern.
Thank you, Maya murmured, taking the water. Her brow knit. Have we met?
Her face heated and wished she could take back the words. Oh, man, what a cliché. Shed have done just as well to offer to strip him naked and dance around his body like a strippers pole.
Since she couldnt erase the words, instead she gave a short laugh and shook her head. I know, it sounds like a cheesy pickup line. But I swear, Ive seen you before.
Gifted with a near-photographic memory, she never forgot numbers and she never forgot a face. The former made her a prized assistant among the investment bankers in her department. The latter kept her past from tripping her up.
The problem was, she couldnt remember exactly who he was. Shed seen him a few times around Braverment events, so he must work for the company in some form or another. Probably one of their out-of-state branches.
Id remember if we had, he returned with a smile that did wicked things to her libido.
My mistake, she excused, irritated to hear how breathless the words sounded. She cleared her throat and plastered on her brightest smile. Are you with Braverment?
No. Old man Braverment is a friend of the family and he suggested I drop in. Im actually here looking for capital. A few investors interested in a new app platform to integrate social media. He flashed her a smile so wicked with charisma she figured he raked in investments like crazy.
Amazing. Even boring investment talk sounded sexy in that delicious accent. Pretending her knees werent wobbling, she asked, Are you enjoying the party?
I appreciate the view, he returned. His voice was as sexy as his face. Husky and low, making her think of magnolia blossoms and mint juleps, silk sheets and naked bodies. Maya wished it were a little cooler on the patio, since her body was feeling very, very hot.
He nodded toward the doors leading to the Christmas festivities, and asked, How about you? Are you having a good time?
The tiny hairs on the back of Mayas neck stood up. She didnt know why. Other than being way too sexy for his own good, he shouldnt make her feel threatened. Should he? Shed seen him before so he was legit, and he was gorgeous.
It was probably the gorgeous part that was setting off her warning signals. To say nothing of making her body go into sexual hyperdrive.
Once or twice, shed thought she could have her cake and eat it, too. That she could be average and still give in to the wild, passionate side of her nature. But shed been burned, badly. So she avoided all guys who tripped her passion meter. Itd only been a few months ago that shed even felt safe dating a mellow, safe guy like Dave.
But this guy would not only trip the meter, hed send it spinning out of control. Because hed demand everything. Hed plumb the depths of passion, hed discover untapped levels of sensuality that Maya was pretty sure were hiding beneath the surface. He had the potential to drive her straight over the edge to crazy.
But average girls who didnt like to attract attention didnt do crazy.
I am enjoying the party, thanks, she responded, shifting her tone from friendly to distant. Then she gestured toward the door. And I should be getting back to the dance floor. Theyre playing my favorite song.
Merry Christmas, he called as she walked away.
Maya glanced back. Yes, his eyes were glued to her. She swallowed hard, then offered a quick smile. Merry merry to you, too, she said.
Whew. She bypassed the dance floor to find the ladies room instead. She needed cold water. Or better yet, an ice bath.
IT WAS A GREAT EVENING, Dave, thanks so much for going to the party with me, Maya said.
We dont have to end the fun yet, he said, rubbing his hands up and down her arms in a gentle caress. Im still in the party mood.
To prove his point, he zoomed in with an enthusiastic kiss. Maya sighed, leaning in to enjoy herself. This was nice, she realized. Butshe pulled away with a sighnot exciting.
What was wrong with her?
Id invite you in, but my roommate is waiting up, she excused.
With that, and a quick little finger wave, she slipped through her front door, threw the lock and leaned back against it with a heavy sigh. I hate dating.
It is a necessary evil, Tiffany declared, looking all comfy in her Snuggie on the couch. Her engagement ring flashed bright in the light of the TV, declaring that while she respected the dating evil, it wasnt a game she had to play any longer.
Which was just one of the many reasons Maya had chosen her as a roommate. She was sweet and fun and tidy. She was totally involved in her own life, so didnt have a lot of spare time to poke into Mayas. And best of all, she was temporary, without that being an apparent requirement.