Page 7 of Hot Pursuit
Nate straightened his spine and crossed his arms over his chest, funneling his disbelief into a stern, scolding expression instead. “Breaking into a government database is a federal crime,” he said calmly, the edge of a threat laced through his tone. “Class B felony, punishable by up to twenty years in prison.”
The flames in the centers of her eyes brightened. “Only if you get caught.”
Unbelievable…she’s unbelievable.
No shame.
No remorse.
No…no…
“Can I tell you a secret, Miss Carter?” Nate murmured, not really sure why he was playing along, but the words tumbled from his lips before he could stop them. Her eager expression intensified. An almost childlike sense of wonder was etched into the grooves of her face as she nodded. He leaned in, just to prove to himself that he could, and forced his rebellious pulse to remain even. Her auburn hair tickled his face as he pressed his lips close enough to feel the heat of her sun-kissed skin. Something in his chest hitched, but he didn’t back down. “Eventually, you always get caught.”
She sucked in a breath. He leaned back just enough to stare into her eyes, not at all liking the defiant golden sparkles dancing at the centers of her irises, flickering like sunshine through a dark forest, brilliant and burning.
The air between them was tense.
A silent battle of wills.
Neither backing down.
Both fighting for the win.
She opened her mouth to speak, drawing his gaze, and—
Static cracked loudly over the two-way radio.
“Parker, Alvarez, do you copy? Are you there? Satellite feed says Carter should be in sight momentarily.”
Nate snapped upright.
Jo didn’t move except to perk one corner of her plush lips, watching him unflinchingly, victory simmering in her eyes.
“Parker, are you there? Do you copy?”
She turned her head toward the sound and shrugged. “You going to get that?”
Nate took a slow step back, eyes never leaving her for a second. His gun was four feet behind, resting next to Leo’s on the control panel. But his phone was on the table, along with his notes. All within reach of her thieving hands.
A pulse of static coursed through the radio again.
Nate lunged for it. Pressing the button to speak, he kept a laser focus on Jolene Carter, trouble personified. “Here, Boss.”
“Parker, do you see Carter?”
A small smile danced across her lips as she mouthed,Parker.
Nate stifled a groan and turned his attention to the horizon. A white spot in the distance caught his eye, bright against the endless blue. “Carter is in sight, I confirm. Carter and Ryder are in sight.”
Jo spun. Her entire body froze for a moment, and then in one deft move, she flung herself over the edge of the boat and landed smoothly on the jet ski. Her long, toned legs straddled the seat, muscles clenched tight. Her chest was angled forward, fingers gripping the handles. A gust of wind blew her hair to the side, revealing the graceful curve of her neck. She revved the engine once. Nate jolted at the sound.
“Anyone tell you it’s not polite to stare, Agent Parker?”
He gritted his teeth. “Anyone tell you it’s not polite to trespass?”
“Sure. I just don’t care.” She shrugged and flashed him a grin, her gaze sliding down his chest, all the way to his toes and back up, pausing on the collar of his shirt. Amusement obvious, she pulled her lip in and bit down as the corners of her mouth stretched wider. Finally, she found his eyes again. That damn sparkle was back. “That’s the difference between you and me, Agent Parker. I’m fully aware that some rules are made to be broken.”
Jo revved the engine again, but this time raced forward, completely in control as she circled his boat at a breakneck speed, bouncing over waves, creating wakes that made the floor shift beneath him. But Nate had grown up on boats. On the weekends, his father had taught him how to sail. So, he planted his feet wide and kept his arms crossed, perfectly balanced as she completed the arc and sent a splash over the edge, wetting his feet.
