Her Spy to Hold (Spy Games Book 2) (27 page)

“This isn’t embassy business,” she reminded him.

He was undeterred, brushing off her objections as if she hadn’t spoken. “We’re going back to Plan A. I’m pursuing you. It gives me an excuse to stay close so I can help if you need it.”

“I’ve already got Plan B established. No one at the embassy is going to believe your sudden interest in me.”

“No?” The look he gave her made the already small room shrink to a mere postage-stamp size. He tugged at one of her curls, rolling it between his thumb and forefinger. “I’m single and I like beautiful women as much as the next man.”

He was playing her own game with her in order to get his own way. While she could hardly complain about the tactics he used she preferred honesty from him. While not completely predictable he was one hundred percent dependable. She trusted him because of it.

And that gave him the advantage, because he certainly did not trust her in return.

All she could do to retaliate was call his bluff.

She stepped in close, placing her hand on his chest. It was solid, like he was, and warm beneath the crisp cotton fabric of his shirt. Her palm prickled with heat. He was only an inch or so taller than she was. If she’d been wearing heels she’d have at least one advantage over him. She met his gaze and read interest. Her breathing quickened, leaving her head spinning. He really did find her attractive. There was an advantage for her in that too.

He had the most beautiful mouth, the lower lip slightly fuller than the top. It was generous and firm, and the color of raspberries in early August. She’d have one little taste. Then he’d call a halt, conceding Plan A was ridiculous.

She pressed her mouth to his, nipping that full lower lip between both of hers and gently tugging. She stroked it with the tip of her tongue. He tasted delicious. Her heart began pounding. A sizzle of heat shot through her belly. Caution kicked up a ruckus inside her head, letting her know in no uncertain terms that she’d made an error in judgment. In this one area he wasn’t trustworthy.

Not in the least.

Rather than draw back to neutral territory and regroup, as she should, she threw herself on a landmine. She slid her arms around his neck. His hands came to rest on her back, crushing her breasts to his ribs. A knee nudged her thighs apart. His tongue brushed against hers and her legs threatened to collapse. Harry, far from passive, could kiss.

The coffeemaker coughed, spitting the last of the hot water through the filter to signal the end of its cycle, interrupting the moment. Harry’s hands slid down her back to her hips. He lifted his head, his expression as steady and serious as always.

He had nerves of steel.

“I’ll introduce you to Vanderloord during intermission,” he said, as if the matter were settled. Lies, bemused, couldn’t find the right words to argue. He’d proven his point. Her mind was a blank. He eased her aside, his fingers gently biting into her skin before they released her, and slid past her to get to the counter. “You get the coffee. I’ll carry the pastries.”

She was filling two mugs with the dark, steaming brew before it struck her that this was her home, not his, and they weren’t at the embassy pretending he was her boss, and she didn’t have to do everything he said.

Haven’t read the first book in the series,
Her Spy to Have
, yet? Check out Chapter One
here
.

Her Spy to Hold

Copyright © 2016 by Paula Altenburg

All rights reserved.

This book is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, and dialogue are drawn from the author’s imagination and are not real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Cover design by Syd Gill/Syd Gill Designs

Edited by Nancy Cassidy/The Red Pen Coach

Digital formatting by Author E.M.S.

Published by Paula Altenburg

Stewiacke, Nova Scotia Canada

B0N 2J0

ISBN: 978-0-9937166-3-8

www.paulaaltenburg.com

Table of Contents

About HER SPY TO HOLD

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Epilogue

Note to Readers

Acknowledgments

About the Author

Other Contemporary Romance Titles by Paula Altenburg

Excerpt from HIS SPY AT NIGHT

Copyright

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