Satisfaction Guaranteed

Chapter 18

Ethan went into the second bedroom to call the friend he’d mentioned to Beth the night before. Hotwire picked up the phone on the first ring and Ethan quickly explained why he’d called.

“I’ll ask around,” Hotwire said.

“Thanks. How’s Claire?”

“Sassy as ever.”

“Some men have all the luck.”

Hotwire laughed. “That we do. How about you?”

“What do you mean?”

“Your voice changes when you say your partner’s name.”

“She’s not exactly my partner.”

“She’s working the case with you though, isn’t she?”

“Yes. She’s my in.”

“And she’s got you tied in knots so tight she should be a sailor.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Instinct.”

“And yours is always on?”

“Isn’t yours?”

“Usually.”

“So?”

“So, don’t say anything to Claire.”

“Why not?”

“I’m not sure where it’s going.”

“We never are.”

“We?”

“Men…when they finally meet the woman who brings them to their knees.”

“Hey. I didn’t say a thing about being on my knees.”

“I hear it in your voice.”

“What, you’re psychic?”

“Nah. Just a man who’s been there.”

“I’m not anywhere.”

“You keep telling yourself that, buddy.”

“She doesn’t want long term with an agent.”

“Why?”

“She thinks they make lousy family men.”

“You’ve got to admit that it’s hard to raise kids today, even harder if you’re gone for weeks at a time on a case.”

“I know you’re right, but I don’t know if I can do anything else.”

“I felt that way about being a merc. I learned I could.”

“You were ready for the change.”

“Life has a way of making you ready when it’s important.”

“Has Claire heard from Queenie this week?”

“Yes. She’s got Josie’s dad teaching self-defense classes at the local senior center. His wife loved the idea and she plays his sparring mate.”

Ethan laughed. “What does Queenie do?”

“She plays the second assailant, or takes pictures. Her newsletter is gaining popularity.”

“I’ll have to check on distribution.”

“Keeping her out of trouble is close to a full-time job.”

“Especially with her cohorts in crime.”

“Claire says she’s going to be just like that as an old lady.”

“Lord have mercy.”

“He already did. He brought her into my life.”

There was a time when Ethan would have razzed Hotwire for the sentiment, but he didn’t feel like laughing right now. “Some women are special.”

“Bring her to meet us when the case is over.”

“We’ll see.”

“Yeah, we will.” Hotwire was laughing when Ethan cut the connection.

Beth came out of the bedroom, her hair a messy cloud around her shoulders and wearing one of his shirts.

“You didn’t bring any pajamas?” he asked with a smile.

She blinked her dark, bedroom eyes at him. “I like this better.”

“Me, too.” He gave her a complete once-over, letting his gaze linger at all the most interesting dips and valleys.

She blushed. “I get the feeling I could wear anything and you’d like it.”

“You’re right.”

“That’s pretty amazing considering the kind of women you normally date.”

This was one of those tricky, feminine quagmires he just knew he was going to regret getting into. “What kind is that?”

“The put-together, always dressed for both sex appeal and fashion kind.”

“You don’t need to dress a certain way to be sexy.”

Her expression filled with pleasure. “Thank you.”

He wiped his mental brow. That had gone much better than it could have, but sometimes the truth had a way of getting a man out of potential trouble. At least good truth. “And we aren’t just dating, we’re living together.” He didn’t care if it was for the job, he liked the way it felt. “You can wear my shirts any time.”

“That’s very generous of you.”

“Remember that the next time you get irritated with me.”

She grinned. “You act like I get mad at you all the time.”

“I’m just hedging my bets for the future. Smart men know when to take advantage of a moment.”

“I’ll remember,” she said in a voice laced with laughter.

He leaned back in the chair, waiting for her to come closer, wanting to touch the silky smooth skin exposed below the hem of the shirt. “You sleep well?”

“You mean when you let me sleep?”

He’d woken her more than once in the night, but she’d responded with generous passion every time. “Yeah. When I let you sleep.”

“I slept great, thanks.”

“Thank you, Beth.”

“For what?”

“For trusting me and for not holding my idiotic behavior against me.”

She came over to stand beside him, laying her hand on his shoulder. “Idiotic behavior?”

He turned the office chair and pulled her onto his lap, laying one hand on her silky thigh right where he wanted it to be. “The whole intensity thing.”

He’d hurt her with his confusion and inability to deal with feelings that were so new to him. He wished he could take it back, but all he could do was not make the same mistake again.

He wondered if he could make her faint again. He almost laughed at his own thoughts. She was right. He was competitive.

“Oh, that idiotic behavior. Don’t worry about it.” She wrapped her arms around his shoulders. “This is new territory for both of us.”

“Not you. You loved Hyatt.”

Her body went completely still. “Are you saying you think you love me?”

“I don’t know, but it’s different with you.”

“Well, it’s different with you, too, whatever it is. Trust me, this”-she swept her hand in an arc, indicating the rest of the cabin-“is very different for me, too. I’ve never lived with a man before.”

“Have you ever wanted to?”

“No.”

“So, new ground for both of us.” Satisfaction he could not hide filled his voice. He liked knowing that. A lot.

“Very.”

“I still like you in my shirt.”

She laughed, the sound musical and very feminine.

“I talked to Hotwire. He’s going to see what he can see.”

“Did you call my dad to have him look into the possibility another agency has Prescott targeted, too?”

“Yes. Earlier. I’ve also been listening to the bugs I planted last night.” He’d have to bring in one of the field agents staying in town to help listen to the bugs in real time.

“The disrupter doesn’t stop them sending signal?”

“No, but some of the transmissions are fuzzy.”

“Have you heard anything of interest?”

“Something about a UGCV.”

“What is that?”

“Unmanned ground combat vehicle.”

“A robot?”

“Yes. Our country has reached testing stages for technology that would be your basic war machine of specific to mass destruction that can be controlled by a portable unit within frequency range or via satellite from anywhere else in the world.”

“Armageddon.”

“We’re hoping not, but in the wrong hands that kind of machine could do horrific damage.”

“You mean like terrorists who don’t care who they kill as long as they win?”

“Exactly.”

“And you think Prescott has one he’s going to auction off.”

“More likely the plans for one, but yes…I think that’s the merchandise that has so many clients from different nationalities interested in it.”

“He really doesn’t care who gets hurt by his actions, does he?”

“Beth, baby…I have the disturbing feeling that Prescott is the kind of man who likes to hurt other people.”

“I’m starting to think you might be right.” She shivered.

He rubbed her back. “I need you to put a listening device in the office. I wasn’t going to try, but just before we left, I saw Prescott take several of his guests to that part of the house. If the device is found, it wouldn’t be automatic for him to trace it back to you.”

“I’d take the chance.”

“I won’t.”

She shook her head. “For such a tough guy, you can be a real worrywart.”

“Only about some things.”

“Besides me, name another.”

“I worry about Queenie. My mom. My sister.”

“I guess I’m in exalted company.”

“If you see my family that way, then yes, you are.”

“I’m not family though.”

“You’re my woman.”

“For now.”

“Now is when we live.”

She nodded. “I’m sure Prescott’s personal office is soundproof, so I don’t know if it would do any good to put a bug in the one I use or his secretary does.”

“Can you get inside?”

She bit her lip. “Yes, but I don’t think you’ll like my methods.”

Something clenched in Ethan’s gut. “You want to flirt with him.”

“I think it would work.”

“Try other methods first.”

She saluted, her eyes dancing with mischief. “Yes, sir.”

“Woman, you are a menace.”

“I live to serve.”

“You live to drive me insane.”

“Oh, no…don’t blame that on me. I have it on good authority all agents are a little crazy. It comes with the job.”

“It still bothers you that I’m an agent.” She hadn’t sounded bitter, but he knew.

She shrugged. “What is must be accepted.”

“Oh, very Zen.”

“You think so?”

“Sounds like it could be…or one of my grandmother’s bits of wisdom.”

“She’s into Zen?”

“She’s into old sayings that carry a world of truth.”

“I like that.”

“I do, too. You’d like her.”

“I’m sure I would.”

Despite having to spend time listening to the goings-on at Prescott’s estate and having another agent there to help, Ethan and Beth spent a lot of time together. And it felt right.

She went to work on Monday morning determined to get into Prescott’s office, but was shocked when he called her in to speak to him.

“I trust you had a good weekend, Beth.”

“Yes, Arthur. Ethan wasn’t working, so we got to spend a lot of time together.”

“I see.” He frowned, looking concerned. “In the general way of things, I stay strictly out of my employees’ personal lives.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Arthur, Beth. I want us to be friends.”

“Thank you.”

“I find what I’m about to do distasteful. Not that I am wrong to do it, but it is always distressing to me to have to point out the perfidy of others to someone as sweet and innocent as you.”

“Perfidy?” Had Prescott discovered Ethan was an agent? Why would he tell her?

“Especially in relation to someone you love.”

“Um…I don’t think I understand.” But her heart was beating a mile a minute.

“Beth, my dear…I have something to show you and I know it is going to upset you.” He stood up and came around his desk, putting his hand on her shoulder. “You have only worked for me a short time, but I feel that we connect.” He paused. “As friends. I want you to let me be your friend right now.”

“Thank you, Arthur, but I don’t understand what’s going on.”

He guided her around his desk and pressed a button on his computer so the image from a security tape started running. It was the upstairs hall and Ethan was walking along it with Miss Fournier. Her hand was under his jacket, caressing him. He was guiding her toward a bedroom.

“I don’t understand…how did you come across this?”

“It’s my habit to watch my security feedback after I have guests in my home.”

She wasn’t touching the why of that with a barge pole. “He told me he was helping her because she wasn’t feeling well.”

“Is that what it looks like to you?”

“It could be. Women go for Ethan, but that doesn’t mean he responds. It’s her hands all over him. Do you have cameras in the bedroom?” She didn’t think Ethan would have risked going on the roof if that was the case, but she had to ask.

“Not that bedroom, no.”

“You have cameras in some of your bedrooms?” she asked, feigning shock, but feeling disgust.

“Some people who stay in my home can be security risks. It is a protective measure only.”

She managed to hold back a cynical I bet. “I appreciate your concern for me, Arthur. I really do, but I don’t think this proves Ethan was doing anything other than what he said he was. Helping the woman out. You don’t know him like I do. He wouldn’t cheat on me.”

“Beth.” Prescott shook his head. “You are so innocent and good, only seeing the best in others. Mr. Grange is a very lucky man.”

She let him hug her shoulder even though it made her feel claustrophobic to have him so close. She used the diversion to press the listening device to the bottom of the desk near where she stood. Ethan would be proud of her.

“The smarmy, self-seeking bastard.” Rage ripped at Ethan’s insides and he wanted to pound something. Preferably Prescott’s skull.

Beth had waited to tell him about Prescott’s attempt to discredit Ethan in her eyes until they were in the cabin after he picked her up from work. She had good instincts, always careful to discuss sensitive stuff behind the wall of their security.

“Don’t get so upset,” she soothed, her voice soft and so damn feminine it made his dick hard despite his anger. “It’s not as if I believed him. I know why you were in that room with Celine Fournier and frankly, I’m glad he thinks it was for the reason he does.”

Ethan knew his fury was all out of proportion to the situation. This was a case and as Beth had pointed out, it was a good thing Prescott wasn’t wary of his motives for going upstairs. But none of that seemed to matter.

“The idea of anyone trying to undermine our relationship pisses me off,” he admitted through gritted teeth.

Her big brown eyes widened, as if his words had really shocked her. “But he’s one of the bad guys. We expect this sort of behavior from him.”

Uncomfortable with the feelings roiling inside him, Ethan paced away to stare out the window. “I know he’s a lowlife slug without a shred of loyalty to his country, but this is getting personal, Sunshine.”

“Ethan, you’re the kind of agent who takes all your cases personally.”

He turned around to frown at her. “I’m a professional.”

She didn’t even look minutely intimidated. Her eyes were filled with the kind of warmth that could be addictive. “You’re a man who cares about your country so much you’d give your life for its safety. You’ve risked your life on more assignments than I care to think about.”

He shrugged. “I’m an adrenaline junky. Everyone knows that.”

She didn’t smile like he expected her to, but got all serious like a woman intent on knowing and exposing the secrets of his soul. For a man like him, it was a terrifying look, but he couldn’t make himself break eye contact or turn away.

He needed to hear what she thought of him. Of why he did what he did.

“Maybe,” she said after several seconds of intense silence, “but you’re an agent because you care, not because you need your adrenaline fix. You’ve got a superhero complex and I, for one, find that irresistible.”

Then she did smile, but he couldn’t match her lighthearted expression. Her attitude touched something deep inside him that no one else, not even his family, had ever come close to. She was right. He did want to be a hero for his country. Not so others would look up to him; he didn’t care if anyone ever knew what he sacrificed for the greater good. But he needed to be part of making the world a better, safer place.

It wasn’t something he’d ever admitted out loud. Not even when he told his dad he wanted to do something besides ranching. Back then he’d been too embarrassed to admit to such lofty goals and since then, he’d gotten used to hiding his true nature behind his adrenaline junky image.

Beth saw through him though. “I think you’re the only person who sees that about me,” he admitted quietly.

“I doubt it. A discerning person couldn’t know you very long before realizing you want to save the world from evil.” Again the smile. So darn sweet. So incredibly beautiful to him.

“But the fact is, others don’t see it, Beth. Why do you know me so much better than anyone else?” It really was a puzzle to him.

They’d only been “together” for a matter of weeks and he’d never told her any of this. Or even hinted at it.

“You’ve been my obsession for two years, Ethan. A woman learns a thing or two about a man when she spends so much time thinking about him.”

“So, it wasn’t all sex…even in your fantasies.” Man, he liked hearing that.

She looked startled and then shrugged, as if it didn’t matter. But it did. To both of them.

“We’ve gotten off topic,” she said a little primly.

She was running again, but he was a natural-born predator. When prey ran, predators followed. Though sometimes, they bided their time, which was what he planned to do. For now. Beth was cagey and she had a lot of hang-ups about their relationship; he had to tread carefully. But he liked knowing that she’d noticed more than his great body for the past two years.

“Have we?” he asked.

She bit her lower lip and nodded, looking wary. “Yes.”

He drew her into his arms. “What were we talking about?”

“The fact that I got a listening device into Prescott’s office.” She sounded really pleased with herself.

And she had every right to be. “I’m proud of how well you think on your feet, baby, I really am, but I still want to knock the toad’s teeth in.”

She patted his chest, her small hand settling right over his heart. “Maybe you’ll get the chance when we move in for the kill.”

“There is no we about the collar. You are not an agent and will be far from the scene when we go to arrest him.”

“Whatever you say.”

He tried to read her expression, but couldn’t find any evidence of subterfuge. “You make me nervous when you get agreeable like this.”

“I don’t know why. I’m not an agent and I don’t want to risk the operation by being where I’m not needed. I used we strictly in a generalized sense.”

“I should feel reassured.”

“But you don’t?”

“No.”

“You need to trust me, Ethan.”

“I do.”

“I’m glad to hear it. I’m not stupid, you know?”

“I do know.”

“Then you should know I would never risk you or the case.”

He sighed. “I’m being overprotective, aren’t I?”

“Considering the fact that I agree with you, um…yes.”

“I’m not internalizing projected feelings,” he admitted, wishing the psychological phenomenon she’d mentioned the day before could explain his behavior. “I have this caveman-like need to make sure you’re safe at all times.”

“And here I thought you were the epitome of the modern sophisticated male.”

“I did too,” he acknowledged wryly.

She laughed, rubbing his chest in what was no doubt supposed to be a soothing gesture, but which turned him on. Everything about her excited him. “Don’t let it upset you. I’m learning stuff about myself I didn’t know either.”

“Like what?”

“I like the adrenaline rush of fieldwork.” She said it like she was admitting a deep, dark sin.

His heart stuttered as his head swam with images of Beth taking risks he’d approved for other female agents. “I’m not sure my heart can take that, but it’s not a crime, sweetheart.”

“I know. It violates what I believed about myself though.”

“Does it bother you that your dad might be right?”

“That I’d make a good agent?”

“Yes.”

“A little, but mostly it just throws my view of the world and my place in it off-kilter.”

“Maybe the job change you need when we get back to D.C. is to take more extensive agent training instead of leaving the city looking for a place you fit better.”

“You might be right.”

As much as he hated the thought of her ever being in danger, he felt nothing but relief at her willingness to consider staying in D.C. and continuing to work for The Goddard Project. Maybe she would rethink her views on long-term commitments with agents as well.