Promises by Jo Barrett Page B

his gentle kiss with one of her own.   He was such a nice man.   If things were different, if her life wasn’t such a mess, she would go out with him.   Her type or not.   If anything, to remind her there were other men on the planet.   Men who could probably live up to a few of her ridiculous fantasies and weren’t lying, cheating rats — or FBI agents.
    With a shy grin, he took several awkward steps backward and cleared his throat.   “I guess I’d better get back to the office.”
    “Thank you for checking up on me.”   She smiled and turned to climb the stairs.
    “I’ll be seeing you.”  
    She watched until the sedan turned the corner out of sight.   Feeling a little lightheaded and somewhat satisfied at being wanted by someone as nice as Doctor Stamens, she floated up the stairs.    
     
    Although Travis had fallen asleep while Bobbi talked about curtains, his instincts were still tuned-in to everything around him.   The crunch of gravel beneath tires had him instantly alert.  
    Ready to move at the first sign of trouble, he watched the exchange between Bobbi and her visitor.   He seemed familiar, but Travis couldn’t quite place the face.   Unable to hear their words, he concentrated on observing every movement and gesture the man made.  
    Travis flexed his hand, wishing he had a gun.   His nerves pulled taut as the beanstalk of a man pressed closer to her.   When he lowered his head and their lips met, Travis moved for the door, ready to toss the clod across the drive.   It wasn’t an earth-shattering kiss by any means, but it happened nevertheless.   Didn’t she know the danger?   Didn’t she realize he could be working for Steele?  
    One last glance out the side window and his hand fell limply from the doorknob as she popped up on her toes and returned the man’s kiss.   Taking a step back, he ran his fingers through his hair as the weight of what he’d been about to do left the unfamiliar taste of jealousy lingering in his mouth.  
    Jealous over a kiss.   A kiss he wanted.  
    “You are one sorry sap, Reid.”  
    Slowly, he sat down on the arm of the couch and waited for her to come inside.   He needed to tame these dangerous feelings and get back to work.   It was time for a hefty dose of the truth.   Their safety depended on them being honest with one another, and he had to tell her about Jase.  
    Bobbi breezed in through the door leaving Rocky lounging on the front porch.   Travis ignored the faint blush of her cheeks and the sparkle of her unnaturally bright blue eyes.   He folded his arms tightly across his chest.  
    “Oh, you’re awake,” she said with a silly grin.
    “Who was that?”   His voice remained calm as his fingers dug deeply into his biceps.
    “Ted Stamens.   The doctor who sewed up your leg.”   She closed the door behind her.
    “What did he want?”   He forced the question through his lips, though he already knew the answer.   The doctor wanted Bobbi.
    “He was worried about the storm and came to check on me.   And you.”   She glided past him and started down the hall.  
    Gritting his teeth, silently telling himself he needed to know everything so he could keep her safe, he asked, “So what is this guy to you?”
    She paused and looked back over her shoulder.   “A friend.”  
    “That looked like a lot more than a friendly kiss to me.”   The comment slipped out before he could stop it.  
    She stuck her chin in the air.   “It happens to be none of your business.”
    That’s where she was wrong, but she didn’t know it yet.   “I happen to think it’s very much my business.”   
    Her hands fisted against her hips.   “I don’t know what sort of trouble you’re in, Mark , but Ted’s not part of it.   Just because I let you stay here, doesn’t give you the right to poke your nose into my life.”   She huffed off across the living room.
    “Your Irish temper is showing, Bobbi.”   He clamped his eyes