about me.”
He stared out the window. “Yes, it was Dane who pulled me into the bureau. I worked there for five years before I was recruited by the CIA.”
I wanted to ask about that, but I had a feeling he wouldn’t tell me much. “So in between working for the FBI and CIA, you were a wild and crazy guy?”
He laughed at that. “I had my moments. I was no saint, that’s for sure.” The way he said it made me even more curious. “We have visitors.”
I didn’t follow his train of thought. “What?”
“Black SUV, two cars back.”
A tail. “I was so busy interrogating you, I missed it. I’m usually so careful.” I bit my lip.
“Don’t worry about it. Do you want to run, or do you want to give them something to write about?”
I looked over, and he grinned. “It’s cold outside, but I could always use a Slurpee. There’s a 7-Eleven at the next exit; why don’t you stop there.” He motioned to the right as he spoke.
“But they’ll see you, and if you’re with me . . .” I couldn’t believe he’d do this for me.
“Exactly. We might as well get this fake dating thing going.”
I laughed. “I like the way you think. But if I stop, we won’t be able to lose them.”
“I’ve got that covered, too. You just distract them with that awesome skull T-shirt and those jeans, and I’ll take care of the rest.”
I’d gone a little Ed Hardy crazy tonight with the clothes. Every once in a while a girl likes to feel sort of biker chic.
I exited the highway and pulled into the convenience store parking lot. The SUV followed. I could see it was just one guy, but he already had his camera in the hand that wasn’t on the wheel.
“I’ll be right back, honey.” I said as loud as I could. At the door, I turned to face the truck. “Was that cherry cola?” I asked sweetly. Giving the photog just enough time to click the shutter.
“Yea, baby.” Jake stuck his head out the window, and I saw the cameraman scramble out of the truck so he could get a shot.
Poor Jake had no idea what he was getting into. It had been almost a year since I’d seriously dated anyone, and it wouldn’t be long before he had paparazzi camped out on his doorstep.
I watched out of the corner of my eye as the guy snapped a few pics of Jake, and then I headed into the store. To give Jake time to do whatever it was he was going to, I took a long time deciding on snacks. In the end I picked up two Slurpees and three packages of Hostess Sno Balls cupcakes. I hadn’t eaten those since—God, I couldn’t remember when—but they looked so darn festive.
I paid for my snacks and then climbed back behind the wheel.
I eased the truck into reverse and then sped away.
The cameraman ran out of the store and hopped in his SUV. He started to pull out on the street and then stopped. In the rearview I saw him jump out and wave his hand. Then he shot the finger at us.
Jake and I both laughed out loud.
“Did you slash his tires?”
“I never destroy property unless absolutely necessary. But he’ll have a heck of a time going anywhere until he changes that low tire. The cold can really do a number on air pressure.”
I started giggling. It felt good. “I’m sorry you were caught up in that. It’s kind of a game for me and my sisters, and I sometimes forget it’s not an everyday occurrence for most people.”
Jake shrugged. “It felt very covert, and it added some fun to the evening.”
I laughed at that. Back on the freeway I asked for directions.
“Exit is two miles up. Turn right at the light. About three miles down, you’ll need to slow your speed, and I’ll tell you where to turn off.”
We were about halfway between Austin and San Marcos, and there was nothing much but ranch land around there. “You know, before, when we were talking about your past, I don’t think you can make a comment about how you were no saint and then not back it up with at least one story.”
He crossed his arms against his chest. “I’m
He stared out the window. “Yes, it was Dane who pulled me into the bureau. I worked there for five years before I was recruited by the CIA.”
I wanted to ask about that, but I had a feeling he wouldn’t tell me much. “So in between working for the FBI and CIA, you were a wild and crazy guy?”
He laughed at that. “I had my moments. I was no saint, that’s for sure.” The way he said it made me even more curious. “We have visitors.”
I didn’t follow his train of thought. “What?”
“Black SUV, two cars back.”
A tail. “I was so busy interrogating you, I missed it. I’m usually so careful.” I bit my lip.
“Don’t worry about it. Do you want to run, or do you want to give them something to write about?”
I looked over, and he grinned. “It’s cold outside, but I could always use a Slurpee. There’s a 7-Eleven at the next exit; why don’t you stop there.” He motioned to the right as he spoke.
“But they’ll see you, and if you’re with me . . .” I couldn’t believe he’d do this for me.
“Exactly. We might as well get this fake dating thing going.”
I laughed. “I like the way you think. But if I stop, we won’t be able to lose them.”
“I’ve got that covered, too. You just distract them with that awesome skull T-shirt and those jeans, and I’ll take care of the rest.”
I’d gone a little Ed Hardy crazy tonight with the clothes. Every once in a while a girl likes to feel sort of biker chic.
I exited the highway and pulled into the convenience store parking lot. The SUV followed. I could see it was just one guy, but he already had his camera in the hand that wasn’t on the wheel.
“I’ll be right back, honey.” I said as loud as I could. At the door, I turned to face the truck. “Was that cherry cola?” I asked sweetly. Giving the photog just enough time to click the shutter.
“Yea, baby.” Jake stuck his head out the window, and I saw the cameraman scramble out of the truck so he could get a shot.
Poor Jake had no idea what he was getting into. It had been almost a year since I’d seriously dated anyone, and it wouldn’t be long before he had paparazzi camped out on his doorstep.
I watched out of the corner of my eye as the guy snapped a few pics of Jake, and then I headed into the store. To give Jake time to do whatever it was he was going to, I took a long time deciding on snacks. In the end I picked up two Slurpees and three packages of Hostess Sno Balls cupcakes. I hadn’t eaten those since—God, I couldn’t remember when—but they looked so darn festive.
I paid for my snacks and then climbed back behind the wheel.
I eased the truck into reverse and then sped away.
The cameraman ran out of the store and hopped in his SUV. He started to pull out on the street and then stopped. In the rearview I saw him jump out and wave his hand. Then he shot the finger at us.
Jake and I both laughed out loud.
“Did you slash his tires?”
“I never destroy property unless absolutely necessary. But he’ll have a heck of a time going anywhere until he changes that low tire. The cold can really do a number on air pressure.”
I started giggling. It felt good. “I’m sorry you were caught up in that. It’s kind of a game for me and my sisters, and I sometimes forget it’s not an everyday occurrence for most people.”
Jake shrugged. “It felt very covert, and it added some fun to the evening.”
I laughed at that. Back on the freeway I asked for directions.
“Exit is two miles up. Turn right at the light. About three miles down, you’ll need to slow your speed, and I’ll tell you where to turn off.”
We were about halfway between Austin and San Marcos, and there was nothing much but ranch land around there. “You know, before, when we were talking about your past, I don’t think you can make a comment about how you were no saint and then not back it up with at least one story.”
He crossed his arms against his chest. “I’m
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