Page 15 of Erase Me
I putthe mugs and platter of food on the kitchen counter and stared at the red-tiled roof of the house next door.What the hell was I doing?And why wasn’t this bothering me?
Picking up local women while I was working wasn’t the norm for me.In fact, it was almost never.I took pride in my professionalism.It was a family trait.And frankly, women were a distraction I couldn’t afford.The stakes were too high.
Avalie, however, was unlike most other women I seemed to run into.Anyother woman, if I was being honest.
When we reached for the same book, I couldn’t help but let my gaze linger.Her face and her body would have been enough for most men.I’m not most men, though.I can appreciate beauty without being pulled into a potentially damaging situation.
But the instant our eyes locked, something in me tightened and warmed at the same time.And I know that she felt it too.Seriously, that didn’t often happen—not here or at home or wherever my job took me.But this morning, aware as I was of the gut-level jolt of attraction, I had no interest in resisting it.
The provocative show of skin beneath the top she was wearing under her jacket proved to be soft and warm to my touch, and those strong, slender legs made me wish, almost immediately, for the feel of them wrapped around me.
But it was more than that.She had a surface charm to go with a wry sense of humor.She was comfortable with herself, quick, and naturally combative.My kind of woman—smart, confident and entirely fuckable.
And once she responded, my brain and body were aligned in wanting her.
No one beat my record.My commitment to the work was unchallenged.I was the best operative in our division.I had to be, given my situation.But Avalie presented something new for me, something I hadn’t encountered before.It wasn’t just the physical allure; there was an undeniable energy surrounding her that threatened to blur the line I’d drawn between professional commitment and personal desire.The feel was almost magnetic.
Standing at the sink, I couldn’t help but acknowledge the surprising struggle between my duty and this unexpected temptation.
Running a hand down my face, I attempted to erase the lingering memories of the sex.It was better than great.Our bodies, our souls, seemed to be so connected, like two dancers so in tune with the other that they barely needed music.
Jeez, I really was starting to sound like a poet.
The interrupting call from her friend and the abrupt end to our lunch proved to be a fortunate diversion.The reason I had arrived so early in San Clemente was that I had two assignments to complete here.One was for tonight in Dana Point.The marina there was only a few miles up the shore road, but there were a few preparations I needed to complete before heading over there.
After tonight, though, I had four days free.
I went back out onto the porch and stood by the railing.Below me, a few people were going down to the pier area and the beach.Nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon.Shirtless kids and teens on electric bikes zoomed by in both directions, surfboards strapped to the sides of the bikes.
I leaned out and looked up the street.No sign of Avalie.She’d mentioned renting an apartment somewhere up there with her friends, and I couldn't help but wonder how far it was.
I double-checked the text exchange.At least, she hadn’t vanished into thin air.No, I had the means to track her down.
A couple of bees seemed to be enjoying the crumbs and scraps of food left on the plates.With a gentle push, I shooed them away, picked up the remaining dishes, and went back inside.It was then that the book caught my eye.Avalie’s copy ofPride and Prejudicesat on my sofa, where she’d dropped her jacket when we came in.
In her rush to leave, she’d overlooked the book, and I couldn’t help but smile.Now I had the perfect reason to call her tomorrow.
Piling the dishes in the sink, I went back for the book.As I reached for it, my gaze caught a glint from something on the rug between the couch and the coffee table.A small cylindrical object.
Lipstick, I guessed, picturing it dropping out of Avalie's pocket.
Taking it in my hand, the lightweight metal tube measured about two inches in length and half an inch in diameter.It bore no discernible markings or seams.Giving it a closer inspection, I noticed that the inside of the tube was blocked at both ends.
“Shit.”
In an instant, the realization struck me.I knew exactly what I was holding.
A weapon.
I’d seen it before.Small as it was, the device was powerful enough to stun a good-sized man.And you couldn’t get one of these here.No weapon manufacturer could even produce a device like this for at least another five decades.
“What the fuck, Avalie?How the hell did you get this?”
ChapterFour
Avalie
Damn it.For the tenth time, I searched the pockets of my jacket.
