Various States of Undress (13 page)

It was pretty obvious what they’d been up to. Carolina shot Jake an apprehensive glance, but his face was calm. He had the Secret Service mask on. Inside, though, she bet he was a ball of anxiety. Even if it had been just Regina that had snagged them kissing, it wasn’t good. Not at all.

Carolina cleared her throat. “Getting fresh air. What are you doing?” she called back.

Panting, Regina struggled forward and when she’d reached them, she looked first at Jake, and then at Carolina. Nodding, she pursed her prune lips. “Whatever I was doing is positively boring compared to your fun.”

“Ma’am . . .” Jake began.

“Well, just don’t squat there like a caveman. Help your girl up,” Regina interrupted.

“She’s not—”

“I’m not . . .” Carolina said quickly.

Regina’s frosty blue eyes twinkled. “Excuse me, but, bullshit.” She laughed. “And you ought to know by now, Carolina, that I wouldn’t say a word. I’m insulted to learn that you think I would.”

Carolina grabbed Jake’s outstretched hand and let him pull her to her feet. “Regina, I didn’t say anything.”

“The look on your face was sheer terror,” the woman said with a huff. She pointed at Jake. “Yours was worse.”

Incredibly, Jake grinned at her. “It’s my job to be alert.”

“Hmph.” Regina crossed her arms over her bright pink snowsuit. “You’re both invited to lunch tomorrow. Noon.”

Carolina smiled. “How nice.”

Jake didn’t comment. He just looked up at the darkening sky.

“We’ll see how nice you think I am after I’ve taken a look at your photos.” Regina smiled back at Carolina. “You have been taking photos, haven’t you?”

The last photo Carolina had taken had been of Jake wrapped in the Justin Timberlake blanket. She laughed. “Kind of.”

Regina shook her head. “Well get busy. I can’t mentor you if you don’t have any material.” With a sharp nod, she turned awkwardly and started back toward her house.

When she was out of earshot, Carolina turned to Jake. “Oops.”

He didn’t comment, but the smile he gave her almost melted the snow from under her feet. Tugging on her hand, he waded toward the cabin.

“You’re not going to freak out?” she asked.

“Secret Service agents don’t freak out.”

“But she caught us kissing.”

He propelled her up the porch steps. “And she’s not going to tell anyone.”

“Okay. I’m just worried that you—”

“Quit worrying.” Jake guided her inside the warm cabin and shut the door. He pulled off his gloves and keyed in the alarm code. “We have five days left, Carolina. I don’t want to spend them worrying.”

Before she could respond, he cradled her face in his hands and kissed her again. This time it was slow. Deliberately seductive, but laced with tenderness. And though there was no snow to melt under her feet from his kiss, her melting heart was another story. It was melting at an alarming rate, and if there was anything to worry about, that was it.

She pulled away slowly, her eyes still closed.

“Carolina?”

“Hmm?”

“Want to finish the Monopoly game?”

Her eyes popped open and she grinned. “You can’t stand the thought of losing, can you?”

“It’s not that. I know that we both enjoy the game.” Jake shrugged and began to remove his coat.

“Hmm,” she repeated, except this time it wasn’t a question. “There have to be things we both enjoy other than Monopoly and . . . you know.”

“Movies?” he suggested.

“Yeah.” She pulled off her hat and gloves. “But everyone loves movies.” Her face brightened. “I think I could guess what you’re nerdy about.”

Jake frowned as he sat on the edge of the coffee table to pull off his snow boots. “Me? I’m not nerdy about anything.”

“Everyone’s nerdy, Mister Cool. You know what I love?”

“What?”

Carolina set her boots next to his and slid onto his lap. “Old stuff. Museums. Historic houses.”

Jake’s eyebrows rose a fraction and she saw the surprised pleasure in his eyes. “Really?” he asked, his voice not quite disbelieving.

“A-ha!” She shook her head. “You love them, too. I knew it.”

He shrugged again. “What gave you that idea?”

“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe the fact that while we were playing Monopoly you told me that sometimes you tour old houses for sale just for the hell of it.”

“I see.” He wrapped his arms around her. “Have you been to Mount Vernon?”

“You’re thinking of putting an offer in on Mount Vernon?” She laughed.

Jake began tickling her. “No. It’s my favorite one. Old house, that is,” he clarified.

“Mount Vernon is awesome, but my favorite is Monticello.” She gasped as his fingers crept toward the curves of her breasts.

He rolled his eyes. “Monticello is overrated.”

“No way.” Slapping his hands away, she got up and pulled her laptop from the kitchen counter. “I want to show you something. There’s this old house a couple of blocks off DuPont Circle that I’m in love with. It’s only a dollar.”

Jake laughed and stood up. “A complete rehab, right?” He sat on the sofa and threw his arm over the back. “I think I know which one you’re talking about, but show me.”

She snuggled next to him and flipped open the laptop lid. The messenger icon was blinking. “Damn,” she muttered. “It’s probably my sister. I guess I ought to talk to her. She’s texted me about skyping with her a bunch of times, but I’ve . . .” She trailed off and shook her head.

“You’ve . . .?”

She glanced at him and then back at the screen. What was she supposed to say? That she’d been so consumed with Jake that she’d ignored her family? Because, she had.

“Talk to her.” Jake removed his arm. “I’ll go upstairs.”

“No, don’t. She can wait.” Carolina leaned toward his chest, but it wasn’t there anymore. He was already walking toward the steps. “Okay, then.”

“Sorry.” He gave her a sheepish grin. “But you know I shouldn’t be your human pillow while you’re video chatting with your family.”

“Of course I know that. But feel free to come back down—you don’t have to hide up there like a troll.”

“Troll? Honey, the only troll upstairs will be that scary doll sitting on a shelf in the corner of the bedroom.” He gave a mock shudder and went up the stairs.

“Whatever,” she called after him, and giggling, she clicked open Skype. There was a message from Virginia, who was available to talk, and Carolina hit
video call
. A few seconds later, her sister’s heart-shaped face filled the screen, her perfectly red lips raised in a smile. Carolina turned the volume up. “Ginny, how are you? How are things in the Big Apple?”

“I’m fine! But what about you? I’ve been trying to call you for
days
.”

“I know, and I’m sorry, but I had to get settled at the cabin. Before that, I was busy avoiding the media. Beating them away with a club is not my idea of fun.”

Virginia shook her head. “You should have called me in. I would have set them straight in two seconds.”

Carolina smiled back. Her sister would have made it worse, probably. Virginia loved the spotlight. “You’re like a dog on a bone.”

“Nice. So I’m a pit bull? That’s how you think of me?”

“Better than a doormat.” Carolina laughed.

Virginia held up a finger. “You’re not a doormat. Roger’s a complete loser.”

“I wasn’t talking about myself. I kicked him to the curb, Ginny. It’s over.”

“You’ve sworn off men, is that right?”

Carolina felt heat creep into her face. “Will you quit putting words into my mouth? No, I haven’t sworn off men. Roger didn’t mean enough to me to be
that
upset about what happened. So . . . I’m just . . . here. Hanging out at the cabin.”

With Jake.

She could feel her lips starting to curve up in a smile, so she coughed into her hand and gave a firm nod, hoping her sister’s bat-like bullshit radar was malfunctioning.

It wasn’t, because Virginia’s eyes went wide. “Oh, my God. What are you up to?”

Right then, the steps creaked as Jake jogged down toward the kitchen. He wore a tight T-shirt and a pair of pajama bottoms. Carolina’s throat constricted and she swung the laptop toward the windows so the screen was facing away from Jake. “Nothing,” she muttered. “I’m not—”

“Who’s on your detail? Is it that hottie? What’s his name? Jake, right?”

“Uh, yeah.” Carolina’s fingers fumbled on the mouse as she tried to turn down the volume, but before she could Virginia let out a knowing laugh.

“He’s inside the cabin right now, isn’t he? You look like a deer in the headlights, just so you know.”

“Ginny, you’re exhausting.”

Why the hell wouldn’t the mouse
work
? Carolina glanced up at Jake, who was peering into the refrigerator.

“No, I’m not. But I’ll bet
he
is. Wouldn’t it be fun to find out?” Virginia laughed again. “You ought to let him jump your bones.”

In the kitchen, Jake let out a soft snort and Carolina’s head jerked up.

He stood there, holding a gallon of milk, staring at her. Then his lips curved into a smile as he plunked the plastic jug on the counter top. A few seconds later, his shoulders were shaking.

She glared at him. “It’s not funny.”

“What’s not funny?” Virginia asked.

Shit!

Carolina returned her gaze to the screen. “Nothing. Hang on.” She concentrated on moving the little arrow across the screen until she’d managed to turn down the volume.

“What was that I heard in the background?” Virginia asked.

Closing her eyes, Carolina let out a breath. “Ginny, I’m not playing your detective games right now. Can I call you later?”

“Will you actually have
time
?”

Carolina swallowed and leaned close to the microphone. “No,” she mouthed, not bothering to hide her sheepish smile.

“Good.” Virginia kissed two fingers and crossed them. “And good luck. Talk to you another day, okay? Love you.”

Carolina gave her a grateful smile. “Love you too.” She shut the lid of the computer and set it on the cushion next to her. Glancing at the flames in the fireplace, she twirled a lock of hair around her finger. “So . . . anyway.”

Jake burst into laughter.

“I can’t believe
you
think that was funny.” She drew her knees up. “Why aren’t you freaking out?”

“Secret Service agents don’t freak. Besides, your sister is only speculating. I’ve met her a few times. She’s not the gossipy type.” His voice was casual.

Virginia might be loud and ask way too many questions, but she was incredibly perceptive. She knew. But Jake was right; she wouldn’t say a word.

“Okay.” Carolina stood up and stretched. “I’ll get us a snack.”

“I got it. Stay put. Better yet . . . why don’t you pull out the sofa?” He gave her a devilish grin.

“Yeah?” She grinned back. “Why is that?”

He propped the broom against the counter. “I was thinking of jumping your bones.”

“Really? Sounds like fun.” She watched as he walked slowly into the living room and when he pulled his shirt over his head, her breath caught. “A lot of fun.”

With a growl, Jake reached for her.

Chapter Nine

L
ATE THE FOLLOWING
morning, Jake fumbled with the ring of keys in his hand as he tried to shield Carolina’s body with his own. It wasn’t because she was in imminent danger; it was because the wind was blowing like a bitch and she was stumbling just trying to stand up straight. Even though the sun peeked through the clouds, it was extremely cold.

“You okay?” he muttered, attempting to slide yet another identical key into the lock on the security shed. It was actually a small one-room cabin, but it didn’t look like much more than a shed. If Evans had been on duty with him, they would have taken turns periodically monitoring security cameras and other equipment from here, but as it was, headquarters had done it remotely.

So he hadn’t worried until late last night, when Carolina was sleeping peacefully next to him and his mind had wandered from her luscious body to decidedly uninteresting things—like doing his job—and he’d realized his huge-assed mistake in kissing her out in the open. The kiss had been epic, but how could he shield her after the fact if they’d been seen? Because they could have been. There were probably about forty-five seconds of security camera footage from late yesterday afternoon that potentially could cause a storm a hell of a lot bigger than the ones that were currently sweeping over the Grand Tetons.

Even so, he suspected the cameras hadn’t caught the kiss, because if they had, he would have received a phone call almost immediately. But he wouldn’t have any peace of mind until he made sure and dragging Carolina along on his paranoid journey to the shed was the only way to do that. He wasn’t about to leave her alone, unprotected.

“You don’t need to stuff me inside your coat, Jake. I’m fine. You want me to try the lock?” She wiggled her fingers at him. “I don’t have gloves the size of boulders on my hands. We need to hurry, you know. Regina’s expecting us for lunch, like five minutes ago.”

Jake wrapped an arm around her and clenched his teeth. “I’ve got it.”

“Oh, okay then. If that’s the case, then I’ll just go over to her house.”

“Like hell,” he said.

She sighed and pulled one of her thin gloves off with her teeth. “Give me those.” Ripping the keys from his glove, she flipped through them and stuffed one in the lock. It worked.

“How did you do that?”

“It was the only one you hadn’t tried. Jeez, it’s actually very surprising that the Secret Service doesn’t label their keys.” With a chuckle, she pushed the door open and stepped inside the small, warm space.

Blinking lights from all of the equipment provided a dim glow and Jake felt on the wall for the light switch. It wasn’t worth telling her that the keys weren’t labeled on purpose. If they fell into the wrong hands . . . but they wouldn’t. He was in charge. And he damn well had to make sure it stayed that way, because Carolina was
his
. If he wanted to keep protecting her, he couldn’t make stupid mistakes like kissing her right out in the open. What the hell was wrong with him?