Page 60 of Love Undercover
He shook his head and turned to set his coffee mug on the counter, likely to keep his eyes from her backside as she searched the fridge. She found the half-and-half and pretended not to notice it wasn’t full-fat or organic. The pickings were slim, and she was not exactly in a position to be fussy.
She pulled it out, straightening. “Maybe you should do a grocery run as a thank you to Kyle.”
Chase snorted. “Please tell me you’re not going to suggest I buy you more underwear.”
She grinned as she turned to add the cream to the coffee. “Nah. Just jeans that fit.”
“Please, God, no.” He hooked a finger in a belt loop to pull her flush against him.
She laughed, but the sound was breathless as every part of her threatened to catch on fire. “You might have to cut me out of these, honestly.”
A growl rumbled deep in his chest, and it vibrated through her. “This is a terrible time to put that image in my head.”
Shuffling footsteps sounded in the hall, and a thrill of panic danced down Sadie’s spine as she pulled away. Not just because of the possibility of Kyle catching them, but also because she was wearing his ex-girlfriend’s clothes, and she still wasn’t sure how he might react.
Chase released her with reluctance then reached for his mug of coffee as Kyle padded into the ever-shrinking kitchen. Sadiemoved as far from Chase as she possibly could, though it only put about three feet between them.
Kyle’s dark eyes shifted between them, and he grunted. She realized it was a greeting only after Chase uttered a “good morning” back.
“Coffee’s ready,” Chase added, taking a sip of his sugared, black brew.
Kyle grunted again, reaching into the corner for the pot, which was right behind Sadie. She leapt from her spot, shuffling toward Chase again. The sense of being trapped was a flash through her before it dissipated.
All it took was a reminder that she was safe, if uncomfortable.
“I, um, made pancakes. If you’re interested.” She brushed at the wispy bits of hair that never stayed in her buns behind her ear, feeling the flame of Chase’s gaze on her face.
Kyle turned, holding his mug. “Thanks,” he muttered, walking past them back to his dining room.
Chase pushed away from the counter and followed.
She turned to grab her own mug and went out too, feeling awkward about staying in the kitchen alone. She felt nearly as awkward about lingering in the dining room while Chase addressed Kyle, who clearly was not ready for a full conversation.
Chase asked about the other man’s meeting with “Casper,” and they launched into details that kind of went over her head. Kyle asked about news from Gibson, which Chase replied to in the negative.
“Don’t worry. If I don’t hear from him in the next hour, Sadie and I will head out anyway.”
Kyle did another one of his grunts.
Sadie licked her lips and made her way back to the guest bedroom to find her purse and the lip balm hidden in its depths. Her lips were dry, but it was mostly to put some distancebetween herself and the conversation the men were having that had started to twist her stomach up.
Because they were talking about the world she’d never truly understand—the one she’d been pulled into against her will. Indignation and anger mixed into a toxic poison in her veins when she thought about what had brought her to this point. Greg and his stupid ambitions, his half-cocked ideas, his what? revenge against her?
She didn’t want the reminder of why she was in this stranger’s house, cut off from her family, her job, her life. Thoughts of that made her heart stop dead, the pain constricting her ribs. Surely they were all worried.
Was her family in danger now that Santiago was zeroed in on her? And would she even have a job at the library when—if—she got back? Roberta might not want her around if she disappeared the same day that agents of the FBI had come to question her about her ex’s shady dealings.
She held her floppy purse against her chest, lip balm forgotten as she thought about the possible ramifications of what had happened to her. All because she’d stuck around too long with a man unworthy of her time.
It was a reminder to her of what happened when she went against her instincts. Sure, she was accused of being fickle at times, which was why she’d forced herself to stick with Greg, but she had a decent read on people and situations. Why waste her time?
Never again, she decided.
“Hey.”
She jerked at Chase’s voice, dropping her purse to the floor as she spun to face him. He was ducking sheepishly through the door, nearly filling the space with his broad shoulders and height.
“Sorry.” He came in, his eyes going to the floor where her purse had landed, spilling its guts on the hardwood floor.
