naked bodies melding together in a soft glow of heated passion. Victoria was getting quite a show. Fireworks? Try the Sun exploding. Being an agent she was used to going up to gorgeous men but this man stood apart in his own category. Exuding confidence without arrogance, he’d make the perfect action hero. Unfortunately, she had one rule that she had broken only once with disastrous results—she didn’t mixed business with pleasure. Pleasure. He hadn’t even touched her, yet her body hummed with anticipation. Nervous she reverted to work mode. “Have you ever done any modeling or acting?” He threw back his head and laughed. “I’m an agent,” she quickly explained. Even if the sound of his laugh caused goosies to skitter along her body she didn’t like that it was at her expense. He leaned in closer. “Is that the real reason you approached me or is there something else you want?” No fancy cologne, just the smell of man surrounded her and the goosies turned inward and pooled between her legs. Want? No. Need? Oh, yes.
Chapter 2 Navy SEAL Grady O’Flynn wasn’t often knocked back on his heels but the bombshell in front of him knocked him back and rocked his world. She reminded him of a movie starlet from the Forties. All curves and all sass. And those baby blues? Man, they nearly had him babbling like an infant. “So what do you do for a living?” Amused by her obvious deflection, he’d decided to let his question go unanswered since he couldn’t be an open book either. He didn’t want to lie but he couldn’t reveal who he was or why he was in New York City. “I’m on extended leave.” “What does that mean?” “I’m between assignments.” He took a sip of scotch. “Am I going to have to waterboard you for information?” Grady nearly spit out his drink but recovered quickly with, “There are far more pleasurable ways to get information.” “Ooo.” God, he loved the way her ruby lips formed an O. He wouldn’t take the thought a step further and fantasize about what that mouth could do to him. Christ, he didn’t even know her name. “Like for a kiss I’ll reveal my name.” Her mouth curved into a grin. “A name for name. Even trade.” Yes, plenty of sass. He sighed with pretend disappointment. “Grady O’Flynn.” “Ava Gardner.” Despite how close they stood she held out her hand as if they sealed a business deal. He’d rather seal his lips over hers and watch her eyes flutter shut. So why was he suddenly reluctant to touch her? Grady’s large hand closed over her delicate one and a flow of hot energy interchanged between them like they were connected in some cosmic way. By the way her eyes widen he’d say she felt it too. The timing couldn’t be worse but that didn’t stop him from asking, “Want to get some coffee?” “Co-ffee?” He shouldn’t have asked. This mission might be unsanctioned but to break protocol by taking an innocent civilian on a stakeout was irresponsible. He assured himself that another boring night of surveillance laid before him. Raul had been a model citizen since being admitted to the States, but Grady knew better. Though it could be weeks until Raul played his hand. “There’s a diner down the street.” “Ok.” He had walked into the bar for a drink, to act normal if only for a few minutes before taking his post for the night. Asking her out for coffee came as natural as breathing and with their hands still clasped he knew he couldn’t let this woman walk away. She’d provide a good cover in case Raul was getting suspicious and although he doubted he’d been made, his neighbors were probably wondering what their nocturnal neighbor was up to. As they approached the diner Raul passed by on the other side of the street on schedule. With his head down he didn’t spare a glance at the couple. It seemed all he did was work and sleep. To some that might seem harmless enough but to Grady it only heightened his