Chapter 6
CHAPTER SIX
WASHINGTON, D.C.
“I just need a minute. You go on ahead,” Rory said to Chris as they stood at the front door of his friend Liam’s home. “Gotta make a quick call.”
Chris hadn’t wanted to risk getting chewed out by his buddies’ wives for being late to Ana and A.J.
’s surprise party, so they’d driven directly there after landing at D.C.
’s National Airport. Rory’s bags were still in the back of Chris’s black Jeep Rubicon since there’d been no time after the flight to stop by his rental in Virginia.
She’d done a quick change in the bathroom at the airport, switching from jeans to a soft cotton, navy-blue sleeveless wrap dress that fell just below her knees, layering a short denim jacket over it. Gray ankle boots and a long silver pendant in the shape of a compass completed the look.
Chris had homed right in on the compass when she’d exited the bathroom, a smile playing on his lips.
You look beautiful, he’d said before sweeping his focus to her eyes.
He hadn’t changed, opting to stay in khaki pants, a black, long-sleeved button-down shirt, and black boots that looked more combat than casual.
You smell good, too, he’d added when reaching for her bag at her side.
“You sure you want to come in alone? I can wait for you.” He glanced around at the charming neighborhood situated within the beating heart of the nation. Based on the number of cars lining the street, Rory assumed the house was packed.
Chris had said everyone would be at the party from his company except Luke Scott. He had his second baby last month, and he and his wife were back home in New York City.
Rory had spent most of the flight peppering Chris with questions about his coworkers, hoping it’d distract him from asking her questions about herself.
Even though A.J. had filled her in over the years about the group of men and women he worked with, the way Chris’s eyes lit up as he chatted about the guys warmed her heart.
“I may come from a small town, but my home was always bustling with people. Never a minute alone. I can manage.” She reached for his forearm and offered him a reassuring squeeze.
“I’m happy you’re here. I really am.” Heavens, the man was handsome. The top two buttons of his shirt were undone, and she followed the line of his tan throat up to where his hand stroked his closely trimmed beard.
Rory let go of his arm and swiped a hand through her wavy locks. She’d decided to leave her hair down for the party. “I am, too.” And she was. Truly. She was also terrified that he’d get hurt.
“Glad your brother didn’t try to kill me when I told him I was bringing you home with me.”
She smiled at the memory of how that conversation went down last night. Jesse had called A.J. to get his stamp of approval, and he’d also threatened bodily harm to Chris if anything happened to her.
“Meet you inside,” she promised before grabbing her phone from her small shoulder bag.
He nodded and hesitantly turned away, the lines of his body tense as he moved.
She was certain his apprehension was due to what she’d inadvertently let slip while under the influence of those brownies yesterday.
And now he was a man on a mission. She could tell he wasn’t a person to let something so alarming go.
She’d have to try and distract the hell out of him in hopes he’d move on.
Carter Dominick was already one too many people who knew about her.
She’d been so careful and cautious over the years—changing her appearance for each job.
No one had gotten the drop on her until Carter.
But he wasn’t your run-of-the-mill criminal.
His military and CIA background made him a more formidable threat, and she should have known better than to risk going anywhere near him.
The fact she’d taken the bait was proof enough it was time for her to step aside, even though the fight wasn’t over—and would the fight ever be over?
Rory rotated her neck and tried to loosen the tension before dialing A.J.’s sister.
“Hey, it’s me,” she said when Ella picked up on the third ring.
Rory walked back down the front steps and closer to the street since she could hear the partygoers in the backyard.
She didn’t want anyone to be able to listen in on her conversation with Ella.
“I’m here. About to see your brother and Ana. ”
“I gotta say, I wasn’t sure if you’d back out at the last minute,” Ella said. “I’m proud of you.”
“I don’t always run.” I’m trying not to do that anymore. Feet on the ground. Plant some roots.
“You’re a free spirit. There’s nothing wrong with that.”
“But you’d like to see me settle down? Find a nice guy? Get married and have kids?” Rory’s parents would be sorely disappointed if they found out she wasn’t sure if she was the marry-and-have-kids type of woman.
“I just want you to be happy.” Ella paused. “Are you planning on going to that gala honoring Andrew on Friday since you’re nearby?”
Rory tried to keep as few secrets from her best friend as possible since most of her life was already one gigantic secret, but she kind of regretted telling Ella about Andrew’s invitation. “Why would I go to the gala?”
“You haven’t seen him in years. He calls. You don’t answer. He emails. You delete them. Do you think he wants you back?”
Rory stiffened at the question. At the possibility.
Getting back together with Andrew was the last thing Rory wanted.
They were two different pieces that belonged to two entirely different puzzles.
They didn’t fit, and they never would. No, if she were to fall in love, the kind of love their friend Savanna had with her husband before he died, well, it would be with someone who was her perfect fit.
“Just so we’re clear,” Ella said before Rory spoke up, “I am team Chris all the way. I’ll never be team Andrew.”
“So, your question was a test.” You and Jesse belong with each other. Y’all use the same trickery on me.
“Andrew didn’t make you happy, but maybe it’d be good for you to see him again. Close that door once and for all and make sure he knows it’s never going to open again.” Ella’s voice was soft and yet rang with a hint of authority. A sassy and stubborn Hawkins woman, and Rory loved her for it.
“Why are you team Chris?” she asked instead, eyes moving back to the house when music commenced playing in the backyard. Turning to face the street again, Rory stared at Chris’s Jeep.
Am I really going to stay with that man for weeks? Months? Proper training for a military working dog took months.
“I have never heard you chatter on about any guy, let alone one you barely know like you’ve talked about Chris since meeting him.
You were practically swooning after that party in June.
And, girl, when it comes to you and men, the guys do the swooning, you’re always the swoon-ee.
But when you called to fill me in on his surprise visit yesterday, I could hear the catch in your voice.
The excitement. The desire,” she added, dragging out the word dramatically, purposely exaggerating her Southern twang.
“I’d be an idiot not to want hot, wild sex with that man.
Against the wall. In the shower. All over the freaking place.
I mean, have you seen him?” Rory asked, then flinched at the sound of a door shutting behind her.
Just her luck. When I turn around, Chris is gonna be there.
Because why wouldn’t he walk out right now?
“You deserve some hot sex, but—”
“One second,” Rory said softly and pivoted to follow the noise.
“Forgot the wedding gift in the car,” Chris said, standing on the front stoop. “Um.” He pointed to his Jeep, clearly not sure what to do at the moment. His cheeks were still a healthy tan for October, but a touch of red had worked its way from the base of his throat up to his face.
Well, this is perfect. I warn the guy not to fall for me, and then he overhears I want to bang him.
Her magic-brownie experience aside, she didn’t normally blush or get flustered over a guy, but if there were a moment for it to happen, it’d be now.
Chris smiled as he strolled past her to the Jeep. Rory shut her eyes and contemplated how to wriggle herself out of this situation. She didn’t need Chris thinking it’d be safe to resume with the charm and flirting because of what she’d said to Ella.
“Sorry to interrupt,” he said a few seconds later, prompting her to open her eyes as he walked by her and toward the house again.
“No worries.”
He shot her a crooked smile that made it clear he was going to be trouble, then hurried up the steps and disappeared into the house.
“Oh my God, he heard me,” she confessed to Ella the second he was gone, feeling like they were back in high school and not the thirtysomething-year-old women they were today.
“And how’d that go?” Ella snickered. “You check for a bulge in his pants?”
“Ella,” she chided, fighting a smile.
“Hey, maybe he’s the adventure you’ve always been searching for. Love can be a thrill, too, you know. All depends if you find the right man.”
Speaking of right men . . . “Jesse make it home okay?”
“Yeah, we bumped into each other in town. He said a few words, then rushed away as if I have the plague. Basically, his standard MO since the Fourth of July.”
“I’m sorry.” She grimaced. What the hell was wrong with her brother?
“Hey, it’s not like I canceled my wedding for him, right?” Ella tossed out sarcastically.
“Jesse is just . . .” What could Rory even say? She didn’t have the answers.
“Let’s not worry about me right now. Let’s focus on your love life.”
No, no. I do not have a love life. Nor do I want one. No hot shower sex for me. And yet, her mind went straight to the image. Chris pinning her arms over her head against the tile, water trailing down both their bodies as he dipped down and took a nipple in his mouth.
“Rory, um.”