Racing the Hunter's Moon (Entangled Bliss) (7 page)

“I’ll give it some thought,” Charmers said, watching the women’s approach. “Your navigator is very pretty. Have you been together long?”

There was something in his tone—admiration, but not directed at Betty, more directed at Joe.

Keeping his expression neutral, Joe responded. “Not very long, no. But she’s very special to me.”

“I can tell.” There was a sly expression in Charmers’s eyes. “You chose well.”

Before Joe had a chance to tease out the hidden meaning behind Charmers’s words, Leonora and Betty joined them at the table.

On stage, the rallymeister stood and introduced their auctioneer for the evening, and the auction began.

It appeared that all of the items in the auction had a local flavor. A few paintings by a prominent local artist came under the hammer first, followed by an all-expenses weekend at the hotel they were currently staying in. When the third lot was announced, Betty leaned forward, watching intently.

“A case of the award-winning Blue Heaven 2007 Vintage Red from our very own local Blue Vineyard,” the auctioneer said.

She shot Joe a glance. “That was a very good year for them.”

“This wine has won a gold medal, everyone, with a subtle blend of Bordeaux, merlot, cabernet sauvignon, and cabernet franc. Who’ll give me $120 for the case?”

Betty held up one of the auction paddles they’d left on the table.

“We have $120 from the lady in red,” the auctioneer said. “Who’ll give me $150?”

The bidding raced upward. Betty continued to bid without batting an eyelid and was still in as the case reached $300. “That’s about market price,” she said to Joe.

“Do I hear $330?”

She gave up at $440 and by the time the final bid was cast, the case of wine had reached $1,600.

“I wonder what’s up next.” Her eyes were bright. “I love this, don’t you?”

Joe had to bid on something, but what? A string of pearls from a local jeweler was next, more all-expenses-paid stays at various hotels in the vicinity, followed by a full service from Under the Hood garage. Then the auctioneer announced an item that stirred Joe’s interest.

“We have a very special item next, ladies and gentlemen, donated by our very own Ed Fleming. Ed has donated his copy of the shooting script for the very first episode of
Crime Bite
.” He held up the bound sheaf of paper. “Signed by Mr. Fleming and all the members of the cast, this is a priceless piece of memorabilia in the making, everyone, and remember, we’re bidding for charity here. All the money raised here tonight will go to the Meadowsweet Women’s Shelter. It’s difficult to price this item—who’ll give me $1,000?” Betty’s smile widened as Joe lifted his paddle.

The room was obviously full of fans of the TV series. Bidding was fast and furious, and under normal circumstances Joe would have parked his paddle facedown on the table well before the bidding rose to $5,000. But this was no ordinary auction—he’d cleared expenditure with Bond earlier, so he kept on bidding until no one else wanted to play.

“$7,500 to the gentleman.” The auctioneer looked straight at Joe. “Do I hear more?”

Joe glanced at Charmers, who raised his glass and nodded as if in admiration.

The room was silent.

“Sold.” The auctioneer brought down his hammer.

Joe turned to Betty. “It’s for you, baby.”

Betty squealed, threw her arms around his neck, and kissed him like Christmas had come early. And this time, instead of holding back, of letting her dictate the pace, Joe pulled her close with one hand, found the nape of her neck with the other, and, room be damned, showed her he’d moved past pretending. The taste of her cracked open a fissure, revealing the molten heart of pure, unadulterated desire welling up inside him, demanding release.

When he eased away, the stunned expression in her eyes and the rapid rise and fall of her beautiful breasts told him more eloquently than words ever could that she felt the same.

He was done pretending that kissing her meant nothing.

Chapter Seven

In the aftermath of
that kiss
, Betty struggled for objectivity. It was easy to understand why actors and actresses had affairs when they were on location. Pretending to love someone—staring into their eyes at every possible opportunity, kissing them, and acting out romance before an audience—was so heady it was difficult to separate fiction from reality.

If this evening had been real, rather than a show put on to fool a con man, it would have been one of the best of her life. Every time she looked at Joe, he was watching her with an intensity and appreciation that made her stomach clench. He stroked her arm when they sat at the table, lighting an internal fuse that sparked from his fingers through her entire body. He wasn’t that good an actor. He was feeling it too.

Bidding had been fun, but when he’d started to bid for the
Crime Bite
script he’d turned to her and whispered, “For you,” and her heart had just about melted.

There couldn’t be anything sexier than a man focused on winning. His whole demeanor was relaxed but alert as he countered every bid with a smooth raise of his paddle. At some point in the proceedings she’d sneaked her hand under the table and laid it on his hard thigh.

His expression didn’t alter, but a muscle jumped in the corner of his jaw.

If they really were a couple, he couldn’t have given her a better gift if he’d tried. The purchase wouldn’t happen—not on the FBI’s paycheck—but maybe when this whole thing was over with she could buy the bid from them. She didn’t like to flash her money around, but a souvenir of her favorite show would be worth it. And the profits were going to charity…

Leonora’s news that Charmers had pitched the investment opportunity to her was huge. She had to tell Joe tonight, had to let him know everything that was going on…

“What are you thinking about?” Joe slipped a hand over hers.

“I’ve really enjoyed tonight.” They were still at the table, but there was no pretense necessary. She had enjoyed it.

“I’m going to have to leave you lovebirds to it,” Leonora said. She brought a hand to her forehead. “I have a terrible headache. I think I’ll go and see if I can scare up some headache tablets from reception.”

“I’ll come with you,” Charmers made to rise, but she stopped him with one hand to his arm.

“Don’t let me spoil your evening, Alexander. I really need to lie down in a darkened room.” She cast an apologetic glance at Charmers. “I want to be fresh for tomorrow.”

Charmers nodded. “I’ll walk you to your room, anyway.” He turned to Joe and Betty. “See you at breakfast, then.”

She waited until they had disappeared from view. “So, how did you get on? Did he bite?”

“I can’t work him out at all. The guy is a closed book.” Joe rubbed the side of his face. “A couple of times there he seemed to be warming up to me, but he’s difficult to read.”

The dining room was beginning to empty out. Betty picked up her jeweled clutch. “Let’s go.”

…

Joe walked her to her door. He wished to hell things were different, and he could walk inside with her, act on the feelings that welled up within him every time she gave him that look. When she’d rested her hand on his thigh during the bidding he’d damned near swallowed his tongue. And that kiss—that kiss had changed everything. But he couldn’t go inside with her. Had to stay focused. Couldn’t let emotion cloud his objectivity.

“Come inside.” She unlocked the door.

Heat had been spiraling through him all evening. And now she was so close her familiar scent filled him with every breath. This rally was supposed to be work, but he was having a hard time remembering that—he enjoyed her company too much. That red dress—he’d struggled to keep his hands off her. The smart thing was to say good-night at her door. To walk away. “I can’t.”

She pushed the door open and tugged his hand. “You have to.”

With a sigh, he gave in to the inevitable and followed her inside. She was impossible to resist—she knew more of his secrets than most, and seemed okay with them. Maybe when this was all over they could have something. He reached for her but she stepped away.

She flicked on the light, kicked off her shoes, and walked to the bed. “Come on over here.” She sat down, scooted up the bed, propped up the pillow as a support for her back, and crossed her legs. “I’m not trying to seduce you, we need to talk.”

Okay, that’s unexpected
. He sauntered over and joined her. “What’s up?”

“I haven’t been one hundred percent honest.” Her face scrunched up and she picked at the fabric of her gown.

“I don’t like the sound of this…”

“I’m just going to say it.” She took a deep breath. Raised her eyes to his. “When I first saw Charmers with Leonora—well, I told her.”

Ice trickled down Joe’s spine. “Told her what, exactly?”

“I told her he was a rotten, lying scumbag. And that he was trying to con her. Leonora and I have been working together.”

Jesus
. “When the…why the hell didn’t you tell me this before?”

“And while I’m at it, I guess I should tell you that Alice knows all about it too.”

His world shifted. All his preconceived notions about what they were doing, what their mission was, fractured. He’d thought he was in control, he was running this operation, but now…Joe felt sucker punched, light-headed at the information coming at him. “Do they both know I’m FBI?”

She nodded.

“And Mark?”

“No. We didn’t tell Mark. No one else knows. I didn’t tell you sooner because I didn’t know you, I wasn’t sure…”

She didn’t trust him.
All the time he’d been opening up, sharing his inner thoughts and memories of making invisible ink with his mother, thinking about baring his goddamned soul, she’d been keeping secrets. Hiding facts. He clenched his teeth together.

For a moment there he’d let himself believe this was going somewhere, had let his body’s reaction to her guide his heart. He sucked in a breath, stood, and paced across the room and back.
Think of the mission.
This changed everything. If they had set this whole thing up, Charmers could claim that it was an attempt at entrapment. He could walk on a technicality. “Tell me about how this started.”

“I saw them together at the farmers’ market. He’d already met Leonora and started to make some moves on her. I couldn’t stand to see the same thing that happened to my mother happen to her, so I told her everything. Leonora wanted to help.”

“You could have endangered her, making her go through with this—neither of you are professionals…” Having Betty involved had been a far-from-ideal situation, but the addition of Leonora and Alice as well was catastrophic. The more people involved, the greater the possibility of failure.

“I didn’t make Leonora go through with anything. I just told her what sort of man he was.” Her eyes flashed. “And yes, we’re not professionals. But professionals haven’t been exactly brilliant at catching him either.” She crossed her arms. “Anyway, I’m telling you now.” Her face scrunched up. “I didn’t want to put my trust in the authorities after what happened before, but I’ve thought long and hard about this and I’ve decided I have to. I know you want the same thing I do. This evening, Leonora told me things have escalated. Today he mentioned an investment opportunity to her, and I think we should bug their car.” She got up from the bed, and rooted around in her luggage. “I bought this.”

Joe took the tiny recording device from her outstretched hand. He recognized the unit; it was not up to FBI standard, but probably one of the best amateur devices out there. He’d planned to bug the car himself before the rally began, but they hadn’t been able to get a warrant in time. Leonora’s involvement changed that—with her consent there was no impediment to placing the recording device there.

“Where did you get this?”

She grinned, and the part of himself that wanted her took another hit.

“There’s a store in Chesapeake that carries a range of surveillance equipment and other supplies. I bought a few things I thought I might need once I identified Charmers.”

His memory stirred. “Like the fingerprinting kit.”

She nodded. “I bought a Tyvek suit, booties, and gloves too, in case I got an opportunity to search his house.”

The thought of her breaking and entering… “You didn’t, though, did you?”

“No. I haven’t had a chance yet. I bought a lock-picking kit and have watched a lot of videos on YouTube to prepare, though—I’ve gotten pretty good at it.” That smile again, the one that curled past his defenses and squeezed his heart.

She couldn’t try anything foolish. All of his protective instincts made his voice harsh. “You mustn’t put yourself in danger. I’m here now. We’re a team.”

“Okay.” She meant it. “Leonora gave me her car key this evening. I thought we could just wait until everyone is asleep and then sneak out and plant it.”

Usually when an agent’s cover was so comprehensively blown, there was no other alternative but to walk away. But he couldn’t. He examined the listening device. All of her amateur sleuthing had been worth it—this listening device might be the very thing to gather the evidence they needed. “You did good,” he admitted.

He slipped the device into his pocket. “I’ll deal with this from here on in. Give me her car keys.”

“I can…”

“No. I’ll do it.” She’d done enough already; it was time to reestablish control over this situation. Do the job he was being paid to do. He glanced at his watch. “I need to talk to Leonora before morning.”

Betty rooted in her clutch, pulled out the keys, and handed them over, then took out her cell phone. “I’ll call her—she’ll be expecting my call anyway. We’ve been in contact every night.” She rang, and quickly filled Leonora in on the situation. Her eyes were bright, and her shoulders were tense. She couldn’t stop fiddling with the draped shoulder of her dress, and moving back and forth, so buzzing with electricity she practically sparked. Eventually, she handed the phone over.

“Leonora.”

“I’m so glad you’re in on our secret, Joe,” Leonora said.

“Me too.” He shot a glance at Betty, then walked across the room and pulled aside the curtain to stare out into the black night sky. “With your permission, we’re going to bug the car tonight, but it’s imperative that you don’t lead him in conversation tomorrow. You have to let him suggest the investment opportunity to you—you can’t be the one to bring it up. Do you understand?”

“He should say it. Yes.”

“If you mention it first, it could be considered entrapment. If that happens, he will walk.” His voice sounded harsh to his own ears, but there was nothing he could do about that. She had to understand—couldn’t screw this up.

“I get it.”

“Okay.” He let the curtain drop, and walked back to hand the phone over to Betty. He held up the recording device. “I’ll take care of this later. I’ll give you the keys in the morning.” He was a damn good agent, as long as he kept his head in the game, but had been too close to being distracted by a make-believe relationship taking form. Her revelations tonight had come just at the right time, had doused him in a cold splash of reality. Getting involved with someone who didn’t trust him was a crazy mistake he shouldn’t make.

Joe turned away from her and walked out of the door.

…

What just happened?
Betty said good-night to Leonora and stared at the door. She’d expected that he’d be pissed, but this…obviously Joe wasn’t the sort of man to talk it out. Instead, the moment he’d gotten over his shock at her news he’d shut down completely.

Shut down and walked out.

The understanding that had been growing between them, the warm feeling of being partners in this, had been cut dead with the tightening of his jaw. He’d taken the keys and recording device and walked out as though there was nothing more to say—nothing more to do. She got up and stripped off her dress. Didn’t bother to put on her pajamas, just crawled into bed and stared at the ceiling.

He’d acted just like he had on the first day they met. Had rewound their relationship back to the beginning, was trying to make them strangers again. This wasn’t going to work. There was more to life than catching Charmers. There was fun, friendship, love.

He might very well be able to turn off his emotions, but she couldn’t.
Wouldn’t.

“Dammit!” If she’d waited a few minutes to tell him—if she’d gone with her gut and moved toward rather than away from his hand that first moment in her room, maybe things would have turned out differently. Maybe he’d be joining her in bed, rather than freezing her out.

“Crap, crap, crap!” She kicked off the duvet and dragged on a pair of jeans and a black T-shirt. Slipped her feet into her Converse. There was no way she could sleep now, not with this eating away at her.