Page 23 of Under Fire

“He was being insubordinate,” Warren said.

Warren could see the wrong kind of emotion flushing over Alisa’s face and knew the fun had just been sucked out of the morning. Bullshit had a tendency to do that.

“I should go.” She stepped over to pick up her discarded yoga pants.

Standing back, processing, Warren watched as she fumbled to pull the stretchy fabric on over her damp legs. Clearly frazzled and trying to get out of his sight, she was moving too fast to be graceful, once again losing her balance and grasping at the table’s edge. Enjoying the much-needed diversion, a grin crossed his lips as he watched her—a bit clumsy, a bit cool—yet, so damn authentic. He could tell she hated all that about herself.

Finally dressed, she paced right past him toward the gate, trying to make a break for it. Her still-averted gaze and flushed cheeks told him everything about how embarrassed she was.

Hell, she was charming.

“Hey.” He shot out his long arm, not willing to let her walk out of his life.

She trembled slightly, flashing her eyes up to him, silently pleading to let her go.

“Your car—” he began.

“I’ll figure something out.” She fidgeted with her hands. “I really shouldn’t.”

For the first time, Warren saw a little more than nerves. He saw fear just a scratch beneath the surface.What’s she scared of?

“When I said I might be able to help you out, I meant it,” he said, shifting to square himself to her.

“I don’t know,” she responded. “I’m maxed out on hidden strings.”

Warren let out a low laugh. “I’ll tell you the strings upfront. It won’t be charity. It will be a transaction.”

“Transaction?”

“How about—I buy you a new car,” he stated, studying her reaction. “That’s what you’ll get out of this.”

“What?” She froze. “You can’t be—?”

“I’m very serious, and I can be very convincing.” Warren stepped forward, reaching his hand out to touch her jaw again.

Her eyes wide as hell, the way she seemed to fall into his touch told him everything he needed to know.

“In exchange for what?” she whispered.

“Look… I’ve got a week. And I’m not a relationship type of guy.”

“So—?”

“So, give me the girlfriend experience…for seven days.”

Firming his grasp on her jaw, he angled her face up toward his, enjoying her feminine beauty. She had a look he craved—and a body he wanted to devour. He had a feeling she’d provide him that extra something he needed before his tour.

“Wait— What do I have to do?” she asked.

“Only whatever you want.”

“Like?”

He shrugged. “Come with me to this damn party tomorrow. I need to get them off my back.”

“I—I’m probably not the best to bring along,” she said as she tried to smooth her wild hair into one manageable piece. “I’m not great at…meeting new people.”

His eyebrow quirked, and a competitive grin crossed his lips. “You were great at meeting me. And you’re fucking hot and cool. They’ll love you.”

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