Page 64 of Live a Little!

Except in his perverted sexlife.

Jake should have warned Cyn about Neville’s membership in BDSM clubs, but he’d been afraid it would turn her on. She might do a damn good job of playing the innocent, but he was beginning to think his first assessment of her was the correct one. She was a wildcat dressed in kitten’sclothing.

He’d been a fool to jump into his car and follow them to this restaurant. He’d almost left when he peered through the window the first time and saw her with Percivald’s stepfather and a date; at least Cynthia had been smart enough to organize achaperon.

Jake had almost gone home. Good thing he’d decided to hang around awhile. He’d just witnessed the other woman storm out of the restaurant with Father of the Pantywaist trotting behind her. Sensing trouble, Jake had drawn his weapon and exited his vehicle, ready for God knowswhat.

But before he had crossed the street, the old guy had his arms around the older woman and was kissing the life out of her. Give the old guy credit, he was smooth. The pair of them were inside a silver Jaguar right now, steaming up the windows like a pair ofteens.

They were probably a hell of a lot warmer than he was. He took another peek in the window and watched Cynthia and Neville chatting over the menu, warm and cozy while he froze his buttoff.

He stomped back to his car, picked up a newspaper he’d already read this morning, and tried not to remember he was starving. It should be him sitting across from Cynthia making goo-goo eyes. Damn it, he wasn’t just worried about her safety. He was jealous. He wanted Cynthia to have eyes for no one but him. Dates with no one buthim.

He should have stuck a wire on her. If he’d started on it early enough in the day, he could have got authorization. But he hadn’t, because he’d believed she’d cancel her date. It wasn’t like he hadn’t been clear. He’d as good as ordered her tocancel.

If she were a rogue agent she could be dealt with, but what did you do with a rogue volunteer?He had hadit.

He was sorely tempted to go in there right now and drag her ass out of that restaurant. But years of training and discipline kicked in. He wouldn’t compromise this investigation—not even for Cynthia. He’d just wring her neck when he got her alone, then he’d pull her out ofOceanic.

And in the meantime, what was he supposed to do? She was safe enough in the restaurant, but when Percivald had her in the back of a limo, who knew what he might try? He was possibly a dangerous criminal and Cyn wasn’t trained to handle any kind of situation he might put her in. What if he took her to one of his pervs-only clubs? Jake would have a hell of a time getting her out. If she was fool enough to go back to his place, she could be in worsedanger.

He tapped the frigid steering wheel in frustration. Damn. He had to get her out of there now. He reached for hisphone.

Cyn had just finished orderinga meal she didn’t want when the maître d’ appeared at her side. “Excuse me,madame,but are you Cynthia Baxter?” At her puzzled nod, he said, “There is a telephone call foryou.”

“Telephone call?” She stared blankly.Agnes.Her friend was probably sobbing somewhere, in need of rescue. She hadn’t called Cyn’s cell as she hadn’t wanted Neville to overhear them. Cynthia excused herself to Neville, who once again appeared annoyed, and followed the Frenchman. A phone was tucked discreetly at the end of the bar, and when she said “Hello,” a familiar voice answeredher.

“You need to go home rightnow.”

She was outraged. It wasn’t a distraught Agnes, it was Jake, sounding furious. “I do not,” she whispered back. “How dare you followme?”

“There’s a B and E at your place. The alarm’s disturbing the wholeneighborhood.”

“What? When did thishappen?”

“About five minutes from now.Go.”

“Don’t you even—” He hung up before she finished thesentence.

For a moment she just stood there, staring at the colorful array of bottles behind the bar. What if she ignored Jake? How long would it take till he gave up and turned off her alarm? Which she was certain he coulddo.

But she knew the answer. He’d let that thing blare out into the quiet neighborhood for as long as it took. The police would come, she’d have to deal with the security company, her neighbors would be upset. Her jaw ached and she realized she was clenching her teeth. After this case was over, she had a feeling she’d need dentalsurgery.

She had no choice. Jake had bullied her into bailing out of her date. It didn’t matter that five minutes ago she’d been racking her brain for an excuse to leave early. The only thing that mattered was Special Agent Jake Wheeler was a high-handedass.

If he thought he was going to get away with this, he was about to find out he had made a very significant error injudgment.

She stalked back to the table, fury propelling her like a hand at her back. “I’m sorry, Neville,” she said through gritted teeth, “I have to go. My house alarm’s been setoff.”

“Oh, no. A false alarm, Ihope.”

“So doI.”

“Is there no one else whocould—”

“No. It’s a new system and I didn’t want to burden my neighbors.” Especially since one of her neighbors had set the thing off in the first place. “Please don’t get up.” She held up a hand as he rose. “I’ll catch acab.”

“Nonsense, my dear. Of course I’ll see youhome.”

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