Submission Impossible (Masters & Mercenaries Reloaded 1)

“That’s your business,” Kyle conceded. “But mine is to ensure the client’s safety and yours.”

“I can watch my own back.”

“Perhaps I should be more precise. Hutch, I don’t think you should tell Noelle the specifics of our operation.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” Hutch asked.

“It means she doesn’t need to know you plan on getting into Jessica Layne’s office. She doesn’t need to know you’re going to use her as an excuse to do it. In this case, I’m protecting McKay-Taggart, too.”

Hutch didn’t like the sound of that. “She’s our client.”

“Her father is our client, and he’s not a client at all,” Kyle pointed out. “He’s a friend of a friend, and we don’t truly know any of these people. What we do know is that there is likely a federal investigation, and the cop isn’t hanging out at the Genedyne building. He’s here. He’s watching Noelle.”

The thought didn’t sit well. “She’s not involved.”

Kyle sighed. “If you can’t even entertain the idea, then you shouldn’t be working this case, and I’m going to make that note to my boss.”

“Feel free to report whatever you like.” Hutch wasn’t concerned that Ian would take him off the case. Not when Ian had spent much of the afternoon game-planning on how Hutch would get his girl. And Kyle didn’t know there was a secondary mission. But Kyle did have a point. “I’ll think about it, but I’ll consider keeping her in the dark about the logistics. I don’t want to make her anxious, and it’s best she doesn’t know the exact plans.”

She was nervous enough as it was. She didn’t need the added pressure. Besides, she wasn’t a spy. She wasn’t trained, and she could give them away.

“That’s all I’m asking.” Kyle turned and went back to staring out over the street below. “Be careful with her. You think you know someone, but they can turn on you.”

“I’ll keep it in mind.” Noelle wouldn’t turn on him, but she could break his heart.

He had to make sure that didn’t happen.

* * * *

Noelle held the glass of wine Hutch had given her, grateful she had something to hold or she might have reached for his hand. He looked so good, and the last couple of hours had been easy and peaceful. She’d expected him to be difficult, to avoid her at all costs. That hadn’t been the way the evening had gone. He’d focused on her, and that had caused her to focus on him, on how thoughtful he was, how nice he could make her feel, how freaking hot the man was in a pair of jeans. “Thanks for dinner. It was delicious, and I’ll get those cookies going as soon as possible.”

She wasn’t feeding his ego or being nice. The chicken breasts had been delicious, and he’d made an actual salad. He’d cleaned while he’d cooked, leaving her with only the plates to wash after. Even then he’d moved next to her and dried and put away the dishes.

It had been way too nice and far too comfortable to work beside him. Like they’d done it forever. Dinner talk had been half about the case and half about her research, with Hutch asking thoughtful questions and showing an ability to truly talk to her about science. They’d decided to play a game after dinner. She owned a couple of fun ones. Ticket to Ride might be easy to teach Kyle. She thought he might think it was weird to play a game where cute animals built an economic system and bought and sold commodities. Naturally when she’d mentioned it, Hutch had told her Raccoon Tycoon was one of his favorite games, too.

He was practically perfect.

She’d almost forgotten Kyle was there until the doorbell had rung and he’d answered it. It had been Cara, determined to talk.

Hutch winked down at her. “I look forward to some more of your sugar, baby.”

Heat flashed through her. She’d thought after this morning that there would be a distance between them, a coolness. Nope. There was warmth, and it was more than sexual. If it had been merely sexual, she could have ignored it. Probably. This crazy mix of lust and longing was threatening her resolve. “You’re a terrible man.”

He gave her a sexy smile and retreated to the balcony. The one where he’d made love to her with his hands and tongue. Even thinking about it made her body go hot with arousal. She was going to stay in her room tonight. Lock the door. Could she lock the door so she couldn’t get out?

Cara watched him walk away. “He should be careful out there. I heard someone is now throwing clothes off their balcony. There was a pair of underwear in the oak tree. What is this place coming to?”

“No idea,” she managed to sputter before trying to get back on track. “What’s up? You sounded upset. I’m sorry I hadn’t called you back. It was a whirlwind day.”