Page 87 of Agent Zero
Not even close.“It seems to me,” Reese said, slowly, giving each word particular weight, “that there’s a bigger chance of survival if we work together.And it’s better for them, too.”
“Them?”
“Holly.And...Trinity.You really think she’s?—”
“She smells good.Damn near knocked me sideways.”
“I can relate.”Christ, could he ever.
“You’re going south?”
Reese nodded.“Come and visit when you’ve got that girl of yours.We’ll see if we can’t plan something.”
“I suppose if I ask where, you’ll just say figure it out.I’ll leave you the car—I’m sure there’s something else around here I can bounce with.”
“Good luck.”
“You, too.”
Another pause.
Finally, Reese turned, very deliberately presenting his back to Cal.By the time he stepped through the door into the dark cave of a small sad motel room with dingy blue-striped wallpaper, the other agent was gone.
He closed the door, locked it, and leaned against the inside, listening to Holly’s steady, slow breathing.Lifted his hand, staring at the angry red flushes where he’d ripped flesh off while escaping the restraints.They were fading, and his limb looked...solid.
Real.
He shut his eyes, escaping inward.In the darkness, with only her breathing and his own, it was easier to think.
Let me, then.Let me be as real as she thinks I am.Never too late, right?
He hoped so.
When he opened his eyes, he found Holly had awakened.She sat on the bed, her smoky blue eyes huge, her arms wrapped around her knees.
In two strides he was across the room.Another half step and he was on the bed, her mouth opening under his.She tasted like night air, spice and softness, her breath tinged with pain and sleep and fear, the sudden spike of musk through her scent reassuring that even if she wasn’t happy to see him, even if she blamed him for getting her involved in this and shot at and almost killed, she wasn’t completely immune.
He could still get a response.Was it enough to make her stay with him?Was he going to have to find something else?
He kissed a trail down to her vulnerable throat where the pulse beat, frantic-strong.“Don’t leave me,” he whispered against that sweet throb.“Holly, please.I’m sorry.Don’t leave me.”
“Reese,” she whispered back.“Reese.”
It wasn’t an answer, but it was more than he’d hoped for.He forced himself to stop, to retreat.“We’ve got to get out of here.Are you okay?You’re hungry—we’ll get something to eat...God, Holly.God.”
She blinked up at him.Still wide-eyed, her lips full and a little parted, ripened by the pressure.Just begging to be kissed again.“I’m okay.Areyouall right?”
“As long as you’re with me, I’m fine.”
Wonder of wonders, she smiled.It was a thin, wan expression, but better than nothing.“I’m with you.But, um, can I use the little girls’ before we leave?And for God’s sake, can I stop losing all my clothes?”
FIFTY-FIVE
The tiny two-doorcar inched forward, a small silver beetle in a line of other insects, under a sky so brilliantly blue it was hard to remember the color was probably smog-induced.Holly took a deep breath.
It felt weird to be wearing shorts, but it was a balmy eighty degrees and they were supposed to be a couple on their way to honeymooning over the border.The low-slung blue-silver sportscar was no bigger than a postage stamp, bought for cash in Tucson and just the sort of thing two crazy newlyweds would take off in.
“Alice Hanson,” she murmured.“Of course I didn’t give up my maiden name.Alice Hanson.Thirty-six, Norbert, Iowa.”
