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Peter opened the door. He had to get her out of here before he did something he regretted. Whether that was arresting her or fucking her, he wasn’t sure. But his boss had already called and given him a lecture about not treating journalists poorly, even if they were a pain to deal with.

“Out. Now. I don’t have time for conspiracy theories or a journalist looking to make a splash. If you don’t find anything, you’ll just make something up, anyway. Why don’t you go to your office and get started on that?”

Carrie marched past him and into the doorway. Visions of making her grip the door frame while he took her from behind flooded his senses.

“If you’re so certain I won’t find anything, why don’t you answer a few of my questions? I’ve never knowingly reported a lie and I don’t intend to start now.”

Her words shattered the vision. “Out.” Peter pointed to the hallway with one hand and reached for his handcuffs with the other.

When she was gone, Peter loosened his tie. Damn woman was infuriating. He should have made her arrest official, given her a record. But Higgins was adamantly against that. As it was, her name would stay on a Secret Service watch list and she would have to go through a more extensive background check to get press passes to things like White House events, but it didn’t feel like enough.

Deep down, he knew she wasn’t Gigi, and didn’t deserve his vindictiveness. But she was investigating his protectee. That meant he was going to have to keep a close eye on Carrie Davenport. And damn if he wasn’t looking forward to it.

4

CARRIE stopped in the center of the CIA Headquarters lobby and took a deep breath.

Just who the hell did Peter Mercer think he was?

“Still here I see, Miss Davenport.”

Carrie jerked around and glared up at Peter. For a brief moment she wished she’d worn heels instead of flats, so she didn’t feel so short next to him. The energy pouring off of him screamed loathing as he smirked down at her with his arms folded across his chest. Was he always this way to people he’d almost arrested or was there something specific about her that he hated? She’d thought he felt some kind of attracted to her when he first walked in the room but now she knew he was feeling something entirely different.

“I’m going, I’m going. I just wish I had filled my coffee cup one more time before I left.”

Peter’s eyebrows rose. “Seriously? I watched you drink three before I came into the conference room. Don’t you think you’ve had enough caffeine today?”

Carrie took two steps backwards. “You werewatchingme? What kind of creep are you?”

Peter stepped into her personal space and bent down to speak in her ear. “The kind that observes those who could be a threat to the people I’m paid to protect. The kind who won’t hesitate to make sure you pay the price for fucking with him. Now let’s go.” He gripped her elbow and steered her toward the entrance.

She tried to jerk her arm away, but his grip was firm. If they’d been at the club and he was holding onto her that way she would be looking forward to a good time. Somehow, she didn’t think this was going to lead to an orgasm or an adrenaline rush. But the thought of Peter Mercer strapping her to a cross or a spanking bench made her want that orgasm even more. She was definitely going to be reaching for her vibrator before she fell asleep tonight. Maybe she should have tried to make it to Edith’s party.

“I hope you don’t mind, Miss Davenport, but I’ll escort you outside. I wouldn’t want you to wind up on the wrong floor again.”

When she stuck her tongue out at him, she felt his hand twitch in the crook of her arm, and she stifled a grin. Her attempts to get a reaction out of him were working. As they exited the building, two men in black suits were walking in. Peter recognized them.

“Agents, if you don’t mind, I need to make sure Miss Davenport gets into a cab and I’ll be right with you.”

Both men nodded and Peter kept steering Carrie towards the street.

“A car will be here for you any minute, Miss Davenport. I would advise you to stay far away from Director Upwood and the CIA. They can make your life more miserable than I can.”

Carrie just scowled and watched him walk a short distance to where the two agents were waiting.

She couldn’t make out what he was saying, but they appeared to be replacement agents for men getting off shift. With a hint of admiration, she watched the way he gave orders with quiet dominance that spoke volumes. The men respected him. She had a feeling most people did. His handsome features had her staring for a moment too long, because when he dismissed his men, he caught her gawking.

“Your cab is here Miss Davenport,” he hollered and turned on his heel as Savko and a man she didn’t recognize left the building.

Leaning into the window of the cab, she asked the driver if he would mind waiting a moment.

“You heading home, boss?” Savko asked Peter.

“Yes. I’ll be back in a few hours and we’ll finish formalizing protocols. I’m going to grab a cab. I’ll get my car from headquarters later.”

Savko and the unknown agent said their goodbyes, and Carrie slipped into the cab before he could catch her watching again. Peter climbed into a cab of his own.

“Where are you going, Miss?” the driver asked.

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