Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 144571 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 723(@200wpm)___ 578(@250wpm)___ 482(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 144571 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 723(@200wpm)___ 578(@250wpm)___ 482(@300wpm)
She went on her toes. “Horny bastard. And no. She could move. We’re going in. But later.”
He was worried there might not be a later and they would lose this easy companionship they’d found here in the woods. “Fine, but I think on our next vacation I want you to take me to the cabin.”
She turned and started down the trail that led into the valley where the smoke was coming from. “You hate the cabin.”
He followed her, keeping his voice low. He’d noticed she’d moved her SIG into her shoulder holster. “I don’t hate it. I didn’t like it when we were teens because you ignored me the couple of times we came to visit. You would be off hanging with other kids, and I wasn’t allowed. I actually think a couple of those dudes talked about dating you. Like together. Like Aidan and Tristan together.”
She snorted, an oddly sexy sound, but then he found everything about the woman hot. “You’re talking about Charlie and Zander Hollister-Wright. They were not truly interested in me. They were interested in making my friend Paige jealous. Gosh, I haven’t been back in forever. I didn’t even ask about them. The last time I saw her, she was going into college, and they had decided to keep the relationship friendly. Her dad was so cool. He talked about his balls a lot. Fun guy. Well, one of them. You know when it comes to identical twins there’s always a fun one.”
He was pretty sure that was open to interpretation. In his mind, she was the fun one and Kenz was a little much with all the drama. If Kala had been in love with Ben Parker, she would have simply kidnapped the man and given him the choice to love her or die.
Actually, that would be a fun scenario. “Hey, baby. How open are you to fantasy play?”
She turned, her eyes lighting up. “How open are you to pointed ears and wings?”
Touché. “Definitely something to talk about.”
“Who the hell are you?” a feminine voice asked. And then he heard the sound of a rifle cocking.
He held his hands up, turning. A woman with steel gray hair cut in an almost military style stood a few feet down, right inside the tree line. “Just hiking, ma’am.”
Joyce Reed wore cargo pants, the legs stuffed inside sturdy boots. She had on a threadbare sweater and glasses held together by tape, but there was a steady look in her eyes that let Cooper know she saw him just fine. The rifle was held with a firm, practiced hand. “You hiking, too, young lady? I’d like to see your hands.”
Kala wasn’t holding hers up. She simply watched the woman with a wry smile. “I think you see them fine, Joyce. And no, I’m not hiking for fun, though I will admit I’ve had a good time. Name’s Taggart. Kala Taggart. My dad sent me.”
Could she not follow a damn plan? They were supposed to be honeymooners. Drake had sent them their cover. It was very thorough, including all the documents they would need, but did Kala use it? Nope. She told the target her name like it wouldn’t send her running.
The rifle stayed on her. “You Big Tag’s kid?”
“Yep,” Kala replied.
“Prove it,” Joyce challenged.
He wanted to turn to Kala and ask her how she planned to do that since they were literally traveling undercover. He hadn’t brought along his real passport or driver’s license. Only Henry Flanders knew who they were, and he was hours away.
“My father’s favorite piece of advice is to wear a condom,” Kala deadpanned.
The rifle came down, and Joyce grinned. “Damn, Big Tag forgot his own advice and has a kiddo. I mean, I heard he did but here you are. You are way too pretty to be that big bastard’s kid. Who’d your momma cheat with?”
Kala moved down the small hill they were on, holding a hand out. “According to my dad, the UPS guy. It’s nice to meet you. I work with Zach, too.”
Joyce shook her hand. “With my nephew? He’s in the Army. He’s a captain.”
Shit. His aunt didn’t know about Zach’s Agency work? “Yes, we’re both in the military.”
Kala’s head turned slightly and she frowned his way, but when she turned back to Joyce she said, “I’m in Army intelligence. He’s a grunt. He’s carrying my stuff around, if you know what I mean.”
Oh, if she could be snarky, so could he. “I’m also ensuring my charge stays loose, if you know what I mean.”
Kala laughed, the sound booming through the woods. “Good one, babe. Joyce, this is my…boyfriend, Cooper McKay. He really is Navy.”
“And I would bet you go by Mrs. Black.” Joyce proved she was astute.
“I prefer Ms. Magenta,” Kala corrected. “But you can call me Kala because this isn’t some Agency operation. This is about Zach.”