Deadly Contact. Lara Lacombe

up a hand. “Um, Kevin?” The older man stopped, a puzzled look on his face. James gestured to his own hair, moving his hand around to pantomime the frazzled mess sitting atop the other man’s head. Kevin reached up and winced, then spun around and grabbed a comb from his desk drawer.

      “Thanks,” he said.

      James nodded. “Meet you in there?”

      “Yep. I’ll just be a few seconds.”

      James returned to the conference room and placed the can in front of Kelly. She looked up with a grateful smile. “Thanks,” she said quietly as she reached for the can and popped it open. She took a swig, closed her eyes and let out a sigh. “Perfect,” she breathed.

      James swallowed hard and took a seat across from her, trying not to stare at the smooth column of her neck as she took another sip of her drink. She had a small freckle at the base of her throat, right where her neck met the arch of her collarbone, and he had the sudden, vivid memory of pressing his lips to that spot.

      He shifted slightly in his chair, dropping his gaze to the tabletop. He hadn’t slept with anyone since their encounter, had been too busy and exhausted with work. His body remembered their night together, though, and was flaring to life at being so close to her again.

      He glanced back up in time to see her lick her lips as she set the can down, and he almost groaned. Where the hell was Kevin? He didn’t need this distraction in the middle of a case. He absolutely, positively could not get involved with this woman again, with her silky hair, hazel eyes and delicate features. No. He refused.

      “Well,” she began, her voice quiet. “Are we waiting for someone?”

      As soon as the words left her lips, Kevin breezed into the room carrying a manila folder, his earlier disheveled appearance transformed into that of a polished professional. He pulled out a chair at the head of the table and sat, then scooted forward and rested his arms on the tabletop. Other people streamed into the room as he got settled, taking the remaining seats around the conference table. Kevin shot Kelly a dazzling smile, and she smiled in return, the expression freezing on her face as he fired his opening shot.

      “So tell me, Dr. Jarvis. How long have you known your boss is a terrorist?”