Deceived (Private Justice Book #3): A Novel by Irene Hannon

transferred his gaze back to the daycare center as he formulated a response. “It had its moments.”
    “But not enough of them, or you’d still be there.”
    He glanced back at her. “Putting your master’s in psychology to work?”
    She arched an eyebrow. “You investigated my background?”
    “Standard practice with new clients. We want to make sureour services aren’t being used for illegal purposes. You came out squeaky clean, by the way.”
    “Nice to know. But you didn’t really answer my question.”
    He added tenacious to her list of attributes as he framed his reply, choosing his words with care. “I liked the job—a lot. The first six years, I worked in field offices on a variety of assignments, from global credit card fraud to busting counterfeiting rings in Colombia and Peru. The last three years, I was on the vice president’s protective detail.”
    “Impressive.”
    “Also very demanding. The 24/7 schedule and constant, often spur-of-the-moment travel left no time for anything else.” He surveyed the daycare center again. All quiet. “One day I had an epiphany of sorts and decided to make some changes in my life—and in my priorities. Cal and Dev were ready to add a third partner . . . and the rest is history. Now why don’t you finish that water before you dehydrate?”
    Picking up his own bottle, he hoped she’d get the hint and back off. He’d already told her more in five minutes than he told most people in five years.
    Message received. After removing the cap, she tipped her head back and finished off the water, giving him a perfect view of the graceful line of her neck.
    He gulped the rest of his, but the lukewarm liquid did nothing to cool him off.
    This time he definitely intended to change the subject.
    “So how come you worked late last night?”
    Taking his cue, she gave him a recap of her late meeting, then answered his questions about New Start as their surveillance gig wound down and he drove her back to her office.
    Once in the parking lot, he circled around to her car so she could retrieve her change of clothes.
    “Thanks for letting me tag along.” She picked up her purse from the floor and dug her keys out.
    “It was very helpful. I would have taken a lot more pictures—and wasted both our time reviewing them—if you hadn’t been there. Let me get the door for you.” He started to open his own door, but an impatient honk from behind stopped him.
    Kate looked over her shoulder. “I think we’re blocking the way. I’ve got it.”
    She slid out, then opened the back door and retrieved her daypack. “Will you email me the shots you took of the two boys, just in case?”
    “Yes. As soon as I get back to the office. But I’m going to swing by my apartment and shower first.”
    She sighed. “I wish I had time to do the same.”
    Kate.
    Shower.
    He tried to erase that image from his mind as she closed the door and hurried toward the entrance, perky little skirt swishing, daypack slung over her shoulder.
    The guy behind him honked again.
    Yeah, yeah, he was leaving.
    He put the car in gear and headed for the exit, casting one more look in the rearview mirror as she disappeared through the door—but he hoped not from his life, no matter the outcome of this case. Because he wanted to see a lot more of her. Any woman who could get him to open up as much as he had today had potential.
    As for the attraction that was beginning to sizzle—on his end, anyway—that had potential as well. Lots of potential.
    And if, by chance, it led to a more serious connection . . . he’d learned his lesson.
    This time, he wasn’t going to blow it.

    That was as good as it was going to get.
    Expelling a frustrated breath, Kate gave her hair one final brush and stepped back from the mirror in the ladies’ room. The car had been a lot hotter and stickier than she’d expected, considering the early hour. Too bad she couldn’t have rescheduled her ten o’clock client meeting and run