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“Carrie, honey, I was just calling to see if you wanted to come early and meet with Gage and me about the applications for club membership.”

“Sorry Edith, I actually can’t make it at all. I’m so sorry. I know I was supposed to help teach a class tonight, but work has me hung up and I’m in desperate need of sleep.”

“Aww, That’s too bad, but I understand. We’ll miss you. Well hey, if you can’t make it to my house, come to Gage’s with me next week. I’ve been dying to get you over there, and if things go right, it will be the last house party before Club Exposure opens.”

Carrie smiled as she thought of Gage, the Texas cowboy with secrets he didn’t talk about. “I’ll think about it, I promise. Your parties are just the best, though. I can’t imagine Gage’s living up to yours.”

The woman on the other end laughed. “You’re just flattering me. I really think you’ll like it. There are some tops I want to introduce you to that I think would be right up your alley.”

“Sorry Edith, I’m not in a place to talk openly about that. But if I’m free, I’ll come with you. And I’m really excited about the club. We need one in this town. Call Darci and see if she can help. She’s been reviewing the applications too.”

Peter Mercer still hadn’t appeared, so she made small talk with Edith for a minute. As she did, she rotated in her swivel chair, looking around the room. She spotted the coffee pot in the corner. One more cup wouldn’t hurt, right? Might be just the jolt she needed to kick a Secret Service agent's ass.

Just as she was drinking the last swallow from the paper cup, the door opened and she froze. The man scowling at her in the doorway was the one who had barked at her in the lobby. He was devastatingly handsome and for a moment she forgot how to form words. He’d had the same affect on her when she was trying to ask Upwood questions, but she’d recovered quickly. Now he was here and close and she was flustered.

He seemed unable to speak either, but he blinked and stalked further into the room. “You insisted on seeing me, Miss Davenport?”

She lifted the cup to her lips even though it was empty and tried to control her breathing.

“I. Yes. I appreciate you agreeing to see me.”

He prowled closer to her, and she suddenly felt like prey in the forest about to get devoured. The scent of his cologne sent a wave of pleasure through her as she inhaled, but the pleasure was short lived.

When he stood towering over her, he glowered. “Let’s get one thing clear. I am not doing you a favor. I’m here to tell you in no uncertain terms that if I ever catch you snooping anywhere near this building or any building I’m in, you’re going to regret it. I’ll make sure you never get another press pass in this town again. I can put you on a dozen lists and you’ll never get another source or interview again. Do I make myself clear?”

She raised herself to her full height and glared right back. “Crystal. And I’m here to tell you that I have no intention of dropping my investigation into Corbit Upwood.”

Unable to stop herself, she jabbed her pointer finger into his chest. His reflexes were lightning quick, and he gripped her wrist tight.

When his skin made contact with hers, she gasped. The sparks were undeniable. Damn it. Why did she have to be attracted to the most problematic people?

She tried to get her wrist free, but he held it firm and stared. There was a crazed look in his eyes. A look that told her if they were in any other circumstance, he would have ripped her clothes off already. Jesus Carrie, where did that thought come from?

The next words out of his mouth surprised her.

“Do I know you from somewhere?”

***

Peter didn’t know what possessed him to ask, but it had been bugging him since he saw her in the press pool. Something about her was familiar.

“I highly doubt it. I would remember meeting an asshole like you.”

He quirked one eyebrow up as her words brought him back to reality. “Are you sure that’s the tone you want to take with me? Here’s some unsolicited advice. If you wanted me or anyone else here to take you seriously, you should have picked a different eyeshadow.”

Her face went red, and Peter fought the urge to grin.

“Fuck off. I’ll wear whatever makeup I want. I’m taken seriously. The number of bylines in the Post and New York Times and the journalism awards in my office should be proof enough of that.”

“We’re not in your office, Miss Davenport, we’re in mine. And if you don’t want to find yourself in jail tonight, I would suggest you leave. Now.”

“You haven’t heard the last of me, Mr. Mercer.”

“Agent Mercer,” Peter growled. “And what’s this about you investigating Upwood? Somebody just tried to blow him up. Shouldn’t you be investigating that?”

He was ready for her to leave, but her threat to keep investigating Upwood confused and intrigued him. Not to mention she smelled like fresh fruit and vanilla and he couldn’t stop thinking about the dirty things he wanted to do with her sassy mouth. God, Peter, get a fucking grip.

“Corbit Upwood is dirty and I’m aiming to find out exactly what he’s up to.”

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