Sean assumed a casual, natural look in case someone was watching. Surely legislative assistants dragged the new guys down the halls at some point during the day. He didnt want to cause a scene or draw attention. His job was to blend in.
When she shoved him into her office and slammed the door behind him, her cheeks blazed with twin flags of color. She paced across the room and turned to face him. I want answers and I want them now.
He took a deep breath, wondering how much to tell her. Im sorry I didnt acknowledge you in the hallway. I didnt want to draw a lot of attention.
From whom? The place is practically deserted. She raised her eyebrows, her toe tapping on the floor. Who are you really? Sean McNeal or John Newman?
The story hed concocted froze on his lips. Hed never had trouble lying to maintain his cover, until hed met TJ. He swallowed hard and forced the lie out. John Newman.
And who is Sean McNeal? Just a name you made up to get me in bed in Dindi?
He hated doing it, but hed rather look the bastard than blow his cover and place himself, and possibly her, in danger. Thats right. I didnt want any complications after I left Dindi.
Complications. For a moment her face paled again, then darkened into a ruddy red. A muscle ticked in her jaw for several long seconds. Then she shook her head. Im not buying it. Tell me what youre really up to or Ill call Joe back here and have you arrested.
Not sure whether or not she was bluffing, Seans eyes narrowed. On what charges?
Spying. Her own eyes widened and a gasp escaped her lips. For all I know, you could have been the one to bomb the embassy.
Sean had known she wouldnt take his reappearance well, but this encounter wasnt going the way hed rehearsed. If he didnt level with her, she could blow his cover. Question was: could he trust her? He stared long and hard at her. Hell, hed have to. TJ, Im working undercover.
Her eyes narrowed. What do you mean? Are you with the CIA or something?
Something like that. I cant tell you everything, but I need everyone to think Im just staff assistant John Newman.
Are you working the Dindi case?
Yeah. He closed the distance between them and lifted her hands in his. Look, I know this is hard to understand
You have no idea. She jerked her hands free and crossed her arms over her chest. One minute Im making love to a man I thought I knew. The next, Im told he died in an explosion.
Im sorry you had to go through that.
Why should I believe you, now? How do I know you didnt orchestrate that explosion? Give me one good reason I shouldnt turn you into the police or FBI?
Seans arms crossed over his chest. If thats what you think you need to do, go ahead.
Her wide eyes narrowed, but she didnt move for the phone. Damn you! I dont know what to believe.
I cant tell you any more than Im undercover and need you to keep quiet.
When he reached out again, she backed away. Dont touch me.
What did he expect? Hed left her alone in a foreign country thinking he was dead. After being away from her for a month, did he think shed be happy to see him?
The spark in her eyes faded and the starch went out of her stance. Tell me this. Were you working a case in Dindi?
Yes. His response revealed none of the emotion he felt, none of the regret, none of the memories. He couldnt afford to let them show.
Her eyes swam with tears and she whispered, Was that all it was to you?
Heres the part where he could say she meant more to him than just the case. The part where he could say hed fallen for her and had begun to think of a more permanent relationship. The tears welling in her eyes almost had him spilling his feelings like a rookie.
Remember Marty. The silence stretched one, two, three seconds before he responded. Yes, I was working a case. Better let her think he was a bastard. It made things easier.
She sucked in a breath and held it before she let it out slowly. Thank you. At least I know exactly where we stand.
Where did they stand? Sean had a good idea, and it didnt involve happily-ever-after.
You say you werent responsible for the bombing in Dindi. She pinched the bridge of her nose, then her hand dropped to her side, her gaze leveling on him. Why should I trust you? Youve lied to me from the start, even faked your own death. You still havent given me a good reason not to turn you in.
Sean welcomed her anger, the color rising in her cheeks and the fire in her eyes. He could handle it better than her tears. Im here to find out whos behind the bombing in Dindi.
Here? Why didnt you find the terrorist in Dindi?
I found one of them and what I found there led me back here.
TJ sucked in a breath. Here? In the Rayburn Building? Her head moved from side to side.
Thats what it looks like. He stepped forward and reached for her hands, catching himself before he actually touched her. His hands fell to his sides. We need to find all those responsible.
I lost my boss and a couple of friends in that bombing. She looked as if she was going to add to that, but she clamped her lips shut and wrapped her arms around her midsection.
I lost a good friend. Sean shoved a hand through his hair and stared at her. Thats why Im here.
Her brow knitted in a frown. You think someone in the Rayburn Building was responsible? A member or staffer?
Maybe. Thats what I hope to find out.
That would explain why the CIA were crawling all over Cranes office earlier today.
Sean nodded.
TJs eyes narrowed again. And in the meantime, I dont suppose you plan to keep me in the picture? No updates on your progress?
He shook his head. Knowing too much and snooping around could be dangerous.
Bull. Like Dindi wasnt dangerous?
No kidding, TJ. Whoever funded that could be here and, who knows, might plan another incident.
And you want me to just stand by and watch it happen? She rolled her eyes. Yeah, right.
He stared down into her eyes. TJ, I need you to stay out of it. Dont ask questions. He didnt have time to monitor her efforts. He had to remain focused on the goal.
How do you plan on finding this person? You dont even know anyone here.
For starters, I need you to play dumb about knowing me.
I dont have to play dumb. I never knew you.
That hurt, but Sean pushed on. Do I have your promise to keep my identity to yourself?
She hesitated. I dont feel right about it. You could be the bad guy.
Do you really think that? He reached out and captured her hands, drawing her closer. Do you really think I could bomb an embassy? Staring down into her face, he could have fallen into those liquid brown eyes and forgotten what he was all about. But he needed her promise.
She didnt meet his eyes, her gaze falling short to somewhere around his mouth. Her tongue darted out and slid across her bottom lip. I dont know.
Trust me, TJ, he whispered, his mouth drawn to hers. When his lips claimed hers, he forgot his original question, forgot why he was here. All thought focused on kissing TJ Barton as though yesterday and tomorrow didnt exist.