Bluegrass Undercover (Bluegrass Brothers) by Kathleen Brooks Page B

things didn’t matter. She was here to do a job, nothing else.
    “So, what are your plans now?” Cade asked, dragging Annie back to reality.
    “I want to go to the gym in Lexington. See if I can join and maybe tail Gaylen. See if I can find the drop locations and also see if I can get evidence of him dealing.” Annie was also thinking about doing the same with the personal trainer. See if she could get close to him somehow. Maybe hire him to train her.
    “No, I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
    “What? Why not?” Did he have a better idea? She watched as he leaned forward in his chair and set his beer on the table.
    “It’s too dangerous. Larry, Moe and Curly may be amateurs, but Gaylen is a pro. May I remind you, he’s also a pro who has already threatened you, a pro who knows what you look like and may be instantly suspicious if you are suddenly around all the time. It’s just not a good plan.”
    She watched as Cade ran his hand through his disheveled dirty blonde hair, his hazel eyes hidden in the shadows. Well, maybe she was wrong . Maybe he didn’t get her job. No, don’t jump to conclusions, she thought.
    “Cade, you do know it’s my job, right? I’m good at my job. I have done tons of undercover work. I can easily appear at the club and blend in as just another patron.”
    “No you can’t. I’ m telling you, Gaylen is not some street thug you trick into selling some dope to you. He’ll know instantly that something is up. I won’t have you placing yourself in danger.”
    Annie bolted up from her seat, “You won’t have it?”
    “That’s right. I won’t have it. It’s a stupid move and you know it.” Cade leapt to his feet and grabbed Annie’s shoulders, pulling her towards him. “I don’t want to see you in danger. What’s so hard to understand?”
    Annie leaned forward even more, “Let me set the reco rd straight. This is my job. I’m trained for this. You don’t get to tell me what I can and can’t do. Do you understand? Just because I’m a woman doesn’t mean I can’t go into danger, Mr. War Hero, and do whatever else a man can do.” Great, just when she thought he was different he goes and turns into a patronizing jerk.
    “Can you write your name in the snow?” He shot her a cocky grin and she wanted to scream.
    “Don’t demean me! I will do whatever I damn well please and that includes running head first into danger. You don’t have a say!” she yelled.
    The grin fell from his face, “Then maybe I need to make myself clear,” he practically growled.
    Cade wrapped his arms around her and pulled her against him. He felt her breasts press into his chest as and her breathing falter as he lowered his head to hers. He captured her lips with a rough kiss. He ran his tongue along her teeth until she opened to him. His tongue surged into her mouth as he tasted her. God, nothing was sweeter than his little agent.
    Annie pulled her head back and looked at his eyes flashing with desire. Damn. Her head was still spinning from that kiss. He may be a patronizing jerk, but he was a patronizing jerk who could kiss. She had to pry her hands from where they were clutching his shirt. She balled her hand into a fist and planted it right into his desire-filled face.
    She spun on the ball of her foot and headed towards her car, but not before hearing him laugh, “It was a good right cross, but I can do better.” Arg! She didn’t know whether to go back and show him her hook or to leap on him and explore what she had felt pressing against her stomach. But sometimes a strategic retreat was necessary to win the war.

Chapter Nine
     
    Cade glanced at the clock. He had ten minutes until he had to get to practice. His assistant coach was warming the team up so he could finish grading the tests his freshman biology class took the other day. He heard heels clicking on the floor and looked up, hoping to see Annie, but it was just Stephanie from across the hall.
    “Hiya, Coach. Getting