Total pages in book: 154
Estimated words: 145091 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 725(@200wpm)___ 580(@250wpm)___ 484(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 145091 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 725(@200wpm)___ 580(@250wpm)___ 484(@300wpm)
“I suppose the first training was simply in how to keep secrets. I started to learn how to unearth secrets a few years later when I was placed in an elite private boarding school,” Drake began, easing back into his seat. “It was filled with the sons of politicians and CEOs and the wealthiest of the wealthy.”
“Let me guess.” There were a lot of elite schools, but one was particularly popular among the political set. “Creighton Academy.”
He nodded and leaned back against the sofa. “That’s the one. Anyway, I was in seventh grade when he asked me casually what was going on with some of my friends. I knew a lot of helpful information, including the fact that one of the sons of the leader of a country we were having some problems with talked about the fact that his mother and father fought constantly. However they couldn’t divorce because it wasn’t allowed in their country. The father was a serial cheater, and the mother didn’t take kindly to it.”
“So your father was able to turn her into an asset?” She knew the plays the Agency could make. They looked for a weakness, anything that might allow an operative in.
“Yes, and then he explained to me how I could help the country and that my older sister was already doing her part, and I had to keep it from my mother because she could lose her job if she knew the truth.”
“That’s a lot to put on a kid.”
“You would know.”
“Not in that way. My dad kept me out of things as much as he could,” she explained. “I didn’t start working with him until a couple of years ago, though I did learn a lot of first aid during those years. Did your sister go into the service?”
“My sister is classified,” he said tightly before taking a long sip. “She passed away during an op I cannot talk about.”
It was obvious she’d stepped on a land mine, and now she had to mitigate the damage. “So what do you want to watch tonight? Or shall we play a game? If you want to read, I’ve got some movies stored on my laptop. I know it’s been a lot of togetherness.”
“I like the togetherness, Taylor.”
The room seemed to get a little hotter, a little cozier at the deep tones of his voice. “So that’s yes to the movie?”
“It’s yes to anything you want.” He sat up, and his attention was suddenly completely focused on her. “I think I want to be honest and upfront with you. I’m attracted to you, and I think you feel the same.”
She felt a jolt of heat power through her. “Even if I was, I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“Can I ask why?”
She didn’t sense any threat from him. With any man who hit on her, she had to assess the potential of him taking rejection poorly. She didn’t think Drake was one of those guys. The last couple of days had made her comfortable with him. “I don’t think it’s smart to get involved with someone I work with.”
“You don’t work with me. From what you’ve said, you won’t be with the Agency for much longer.”
“Yes, and you will be,” she pointed out.
A thoughtful expression came over his face. “That’s kind of what makes it workable in my mind. I can’t tell anyone what I do. That makes for difficult relationships. You already know, and it won’t surprise you that I don’t talk about my work. You won’t get upset if I have to be gone for a couple of weeks without notice. I have a hard time making connections to people, but it was easy with you. Even if you’re not interested in me in a physical way, I hope we can be…friends.” He said the word like it didn’t quite make sense to him. Like it was a foreign word on his tongue.
How close had he been to his sister? How hard had it been to lose her?
She didn’t know many people who had family working for the Agency, but she knew they existed.
He’d been in service since he was a kid. How had he ever connected with anyone? He’d had to lie to his own mother, was still lying. He carried a lot around, and she felt deeply for him.
And there was no way for her to deny the electricity between them. She wasn’t sure she even wanted to. That inner voice kept getting stronger.
What would be the harm in seeing if it could work? You might get an orgasm or two out of it. He’s not saying he’s going to walk at the end. He’s actually saying he wants to see you outside this cabin. Why not try?
She was a careful woman. She’d learned that lesson from watching her father throw himself into deadly situations again and again.