Page 7 of Sinful Negotiations

His eyes rolled to the sky, and he ran one hand through his hair. “I’m so going to regret this.” Aidan laughed when she smacked him on the back of his leg with her dishtowel and pushed him into the kitchen.

“Start from the beginning, and don’t leave anything out. I need to know every detail. This mission is almost complete, and we need to repair the damage.”

Aidan didn’t bother to acknowledge his sister’s frown although he knew it was there. “The dual life is killing me this time.”

Jeanie tilted her face. “Maybe it’s time you quit this line of work.”

“You know I can’t.” He ran one hand through his hair and let the details fly over a cup of coffee.

“You’ve got to stop. She could get you in a lot of trouble and destroy all your hard work, everyone’s work. The agency has no clue where Tessa’s loyalties lie. You’re compromising an entire team.”

“Is he okay?”

“Yes. He’s been moved to a hospital in another state and is recovering nicely. Once he’s stable, he’ll be moved to a safehouse.”

His gaze lifted to the window. “What if I can’t end it? I don’t know if she can be trusted with the entire truth. It would jeopardize my cover. Maybe I can devise a way to assess her loyalty?”

Jeanie laid one hand over his. “Find a way. If you can’t, and she means that much, you’ll have to bring her in. Be sure though.”

Chapter 8

Dinner and drinks with a couple of friends turned into a pleasant evening, helping to distract her from her misery over Aidan Cross. Tessa waved goodbye and left the restaurant only to trip and fall straight into the open arms of a stranger.

He laughed but steadied her. “Excuse me,senorita. I am sorry.”

To catch her balance, both hands latched to his thick arms. “Thank you. I wasn’t paying attention. It was my fault.”

“I count myself lucky to have such a beautiful woman fall into my arms. Think nothing of it.”

Her face tilted when her gaze lifted to the most stunning green eyes framed in sinfully thick lashes. Handsome didn’t begin to describe this dark-headed man, and the accent held a hypnotic quality. Tessa smiled softly and straightened her shoulders. “I don’t know about that but thank you again.”

When he bowed slightly, she wanted to laugh but quickly stepped off the curb and dashed to her car. With fob in hand, she glanced over her shoulder one more time, fully turned to face the restaurant, and watched him enter the establishment. He paused, looked over his shoulder as if he knew she was there before disappearing inside.

Tessa sighed and slid into the driver’s seat. “Men,” she whispered to herself and started the car. After ditching Aidan, the last thing she needed was another man in her life. Her tolerance for bullshit was at an all-time high anyway. She couldn’t do it anymore and resolved to focus on herself.

Once in her apartment, she kicked her heels off, put her favorite pajamas on, and flopped on the couch with a glass of wine. She needed tons of alcohol to forget Aidan Cross and a good cry.

When her phone rang, she quickly snatched it, pathetically hoping his number lit the screen. “Just my luck,” she grumbled. “Hello auntie.”

“Your uncle and I wanted to invite you to dinner next Saturday since you didn’t come tonight.”

She didn’t want to go because she knew it would be another inquisition but also knew if she didn’t eventually show her face, it would be war. “Sure. I’ll be there.”

“Everything okay? You seem tense.”

“I’m fine. It was an intense day.”

“Anything you want to tell me about? I’m a great listener.”

Tessa closed her eyes at the innuendo. Her aunt’s concern wasn’t for her, but for the information she hoped to gain. “It was busy today. That’s all.”

“Okay. I just wanted to check on you. You don’t come by much.”

“I work every day. You’re always welcome here.”

“Yes, well, you know how your uncle is.”

“Why don’t you ask him to take you to a fancy restaurant? Get out of that house.”

---