Racing the Hunter's Moon (Entangled Bliss) by Sally Clements Page A

journeys. Leonora was on the other side of the table, doing the same thing. They’d met in the restroom this morning for the key return, and Leonora was much calmer today with the knowledge that Joe was on board. That it wasn’t just the two of them.
    Truth be told, she was glad to have him by her side too. Admitting that she’d been a little overwhelmed was against her nature, but now that someone had both her and Leonora’s backs…well, it was reassuring.
    “Five minutes,” the rallymeister said.
    She checked her calculations, picked up their time card, and stowed her pens, then they were off.
    Everything seemed easier as they sped from the hotel on the day’s first stage. “Okay, back the way we came, then we’re taking a left a mile ahead.” She peered out of the windshield. “And you’re gunning it again, Speedy. Slow down a little.”
    “Understood, ma’am.” His voice was deep and delicious.
    “I like you calling me ma’am.”
    He shot her a glance. “Oh yeah?”
    “Mmm. It’s sort of like you’re a Marine or something.”
    He raised an eyebrow. “Have you got a thing for men in uniform? Because all I have for work is a black suit, which doesn’t quite cut it, but I’m sure I could…”
    “Dress up?” She felt slightly faint at the thought of it.
    “Sure.” The corner of his mouth twitched. “So what’s your fantasy? Soldier, sailor, doctor?”
    Doesn’t matter, as long as the uniform has you in it. “That turn is coming up.” She consulted the map and pointed ahead. “Next left.”
    They worked together like a well-oiled engine. Timing the route was tricky, requiring her attention, but every time she managed to grab a chance to look at him he seemed happy. Not exactly smiling—his smiles had to be earned—but more than content. He drove with a sure-handed skill reminiscent of the way he’d held her the night before.
    Her mouth dried as her memories blossomed, crowding out the task at hand. The feel of his hard chest under her questing fingers. The sounds he made as she bit his neck gently…
    “Earth to Betty. You still with me, ma’am?”
    She pressed her lips together. Blinked a couple of times. “Yup.” Her eyes focused on the page again.
    “You said five miles, and we’ve almost done that. What’s next?”
    She ticked off a couple of steps on the route map that she’d ignored while in her biting-Joe haze. “Okay, the road should start to wind to the right, then left, and then we should be coming up on a control point.” She checked their time. “Two seconds behind. Speed up a little.”
    “Speed up—slow down—you’re never satisfied.”
    “I wouldn’t say that.”
    Joe actually laughed.
    They hit the control point with no penalties, and followed the route as it cut though a thick swath of forest. Bitter-chocolate tree trunks and pine needles in shades of oriental jade cut into the edges of the road, creating a living tunnel.
    “I love the mountains.” Betty opened the window a crack and sniffed the air. “When you’re not undercover, where do you live?”
    His jaw tightened a notch. His hands gripped the steering wheel more tightly as he stared out the windshield. “I have an apartment in Chicago. I guess I’m based there.” His voice was terse. The shift in mood subtle, but unmistakable—as if sharing personal details of his real life was not part of the deal.
    She continued on, regardless. “Does your family live there?”
    “I don’t have family.” He glanced over. “I could do with something to drink. Could you pass me a bottle of water?”
    He took the bottle she handed over and drank.
    Her previous enjoyment of their surroundings paled. Okay, he doesn’t want to talk about family. The physical intimacy they’d shared the night before didn’t seem to extend to an emotional one. But it was early days in their relationship; maybe over time he’d open up and share more. She took a bottle of water from the cooler for herself and concentrated