Unexpected. Lori Foster

it was the first time she’d returned with a partner.

      She squeezed the steering wheel. “I took care of everything before meeting with you.”

      Eli nodded, but asked, “Everything, meaning . . . ?”

      “Travel arrangements, weapons, cover once we’re there. It’s all set.”

      He shook his head in awe. “You’re not lacking in confidence, are you?”

      “Modesty isn’t one of my virtues.” Considering that topic dead, Ray went onto the next item of business. “Where do you live? Or do you expect me to guess?”

      She found he wasn’t easy to rile when, after a look of censure, he gave her simple directions. “Do you want me to pick you up in the morning?”

      Ray stopped at a red light. So late at night, the roads were deserted. Other than the mellow purr of the truck’s engine, silence filled the cab to the point she thought she could hear her own heartbeat. Or maybe it was his.

      She twisted toward him, caught him watching her, and her stomach got jumpier than ever.

      She thought about altering the plans, thought about insisting on a necessary distance between them. But at this stage, it wouldn’t make sense. Not now, and not because of some vague awareness she’d never sensed in herself before. So, Eli was an appealing man? He wasn’t the pansy-ass she’d expected him to be, and he wasn’t rude or condescending. Big deal. He’d still bought and paid for her service. She’d have to keep that in mind.

      “Pick me up? No way. I’m sleeping at your place.” Her words were casual but commanding. Now that she’d made up her mind, she wasn’t about to let him change it.

      Eli looked blank. “My place?”

      The light turned green and Ray eased forward. “No reason for me to spend the night in a motel when you have plenty of room. Right?”

      After a hesitation, he said, “Right,” but he didn’t sound convinced.

      “We’re going to be getting real familiar soon, anyway.” She spared him a glance and saw his intent frown of consideration. “Get used to it.”

      Since Ray had needed very specific directions, Eli asked, “You’re not from around here?”

      “Illinois, yeah. Chicago, no.”

      “Where are you from?”

      Just as she didn’t want his personal details, she wouldn’t give her own. “Did you notice that wasn’t in the papers you looked at?”

      He shrugged. “So?”

      “My private business is just that, private. In return, I don’t want to know any more about you than what you need from me, the facts, and any pertinent information. That’s it.”

      “I see.”

      “I hope so.” She meant to let it go at that, she really did, but before she knew it, more words tumbled out, making her sound defensive. “I can’t stomach biased assumptions.” The truck jerked as Ray shifted, giving away her unease. Damn it, she didn’t need this. Why the hell was she babbling?

      Eli sighed. “Once again, I’m afraid I miss your meaning. Do you care to explain, or is that forbidden also?”

      Ray wanted to bite her tongue, but she was the one who’d started this. “My life and how I live it is nobody’s business but my own.”

      “I agree.” He tilted his head and, very softly, asked, “So what was that about biased assumptions?”

      Damn her loose lips for getting her into this. She drew a breath and tried to think of the simplest, least emotional way to explain. “Based on the job you’ve hired me to do, you probably already have preconceived notions of the type of person I am.” He neither confirmed nor denied that, so she demanded, “Don’t you?”

      “I don’t know. I’m still trying to figure you out.”

      “Well, don’t.” Her voice had been an octave too high, and with ruthless determination, she sought the unfeeling façade of a hired mercenary. It took her five endless seconds before she said, with more control, “Who I am and what motivates me can’t be shown on a paper. Just trust that I can do the job and keep any other thoughts to yourself.”

      “Right. Got it. No speculating.” Then he ruined that reassurance by saying, “So you’re actually two different women. That’s what you’re getting at? And I’ll only have the privilege of meeting the mercenary. The other woman, the one I can’t discuss, is off-limits.”

      Oh God, she should throw him out of the truck and head home right now. Her teeth locked together. “You can put it that way if you like.”

      “This is interesting.”

      “No. It. Is. Not.” She glared at him. “As long as you stay away from personal questions, we’ll handle this business just fine. Like a business. But get nosy and you won’t like the consequences.”

      “Meaning you’ll beat me up?”

      She barely swallowed down the feral sound of frustration, then muttered, “Don’t think I won’t.”

      Eli made an annoying tsking sound. “I had no idea mercenaries were so touchy.”

      That did it. Her spine snapped straight and her temper peaked. Through her teeth, she said, “I am not touchy.”

      “Well, you’re sure as hell overreacting.” His voice rose in volume, too. “I didn’t ask for a listing of your most recent lovers or what religious organization you belong to. I don’t give a damn if you dance naked on a stage or spend your free time as a brain surgeon. In the civilized world, people make small talk. That’s all I was doing.”

      And there was the crux of the problem. Ray had never fully fit into the civilized world. Oh, for the most part she’d left the mercenary life behind. If it weren’t for Matt’s college fund, she wouldn’t have taken this mission. But her job as a carpenter only took them so far and she wanted her brother to have every advantage. She wanted his life to be different.

      Outwardly, Ray did her best not to react to Eli’s barbs. But inside, she felt every single one. She had been touchy, damn it. Pass her the Midol, because she’d acted just like a woman with PMS.

      She thought to apologize, she really did. But it had been years since she’d bothered to excuse herself to anyone, for any reason, and she wasn’t certain she still knew how. The silence had gone on too long, anyway.

      She’d just have to concentrate on ignoring him—as if anyone could. God, she could feel him next to her. She knew right where his muscled thighs rested on the seat, where his long fingers tapped restlessly on the door. She knew how his coat had opened over his abdomen, how the wind had ruffled his dark hair.

      If only he’d been the same as the other arrogant jerks who’d hired her. Or if he weren’t so damn handsome, and so accepting of her instructions.

      She drew a deep breath—and smelled his rich scent.

      How did he manage to smell so good? Moments ago her stomach had been jumpy over the thought of returning to a place that held only painful memories for her.

      Now her stomach jumped because sitting beside her was a man who didn’t fit any of the previous molds she understood. He was different, but in all the right ways.

      She’d done a lot of preparation for this mission. She had it planned down to the minute. In and out fast. No time for complications.

      But she hadn’t planned for Eli Connors. What a sexy complication.

      She had a feeling this was going to be the hardest mission of her life.

      Chapter Two

      Eli told her to turn at the next street, then