“Oh, really?” That sounded like a whole lot of promise from a handsome man.
“I’m guessing whatever you wear, I’m going to like a whole lot.” A little boyish glint of amusement lit his eyes. Softening the warrior until he seemed to be more like a man with a serious crush—if not more than that.
She didn’t like the teenage fluttering in her stomach, because it meant things were changing. Kira liked her static, comfortable life that didn’t shift much. She liked it a whole lot better than the unknown. But for a guy like Luca, who had stuck around and protected her from danger today, it just might be worth the risk to see what happened.
To trust that God was doing something in her life and it would be good.
She smiled, keeping her expression placid. “I was planning on wearing a dress made out of rice bags, in honor of the occasion. It might not be stylish, but I’ll be making a political point about starving people across the world. So really, it’s not about looking good.”
Luca chuckled. “This is where I say that you’d make anything look good.”
“And I would know that you don’t mean it.” She shoved his shoulder playfully. “Of course I’m going to wear a fabulous dress. Any occasion is a good occasion for that. And I happen to have experience gathering intel and passing it to people who will make the world safer.”
He looked at her as if he was proud of her, answering a question that had been inside her for longer than she wanted to admit.
Kira wasn’t the kind of woman who needed a man to make her feel complete. That was something the Lord was supposed to do. But the missing piece of who her father should’ve been, and the family she should have had, was something she would always be aware of.
A family of her own would be one of the biggest blessings she might receive.
“I like this plan.” He stepped closer. “I like this plan a lot.”
His arms slid around her waist, and he moved into her space. She unfolded her arms and rested her hands on his shoulders.
“I figure there’s potential here for us to make a pretty good team.” She paused a second, then said, “You know, gathering evidence of crime in Renegade.”
The skin around his eyes contracted. “Right. Investigating.”
“Not that I’m going to quit my job and become your sidekick.” Hadn’t she already said that? This man was scrambling her brain.
“I remember.” He smiled, again looking like he thought she was adorable.
“One day I’ll give you the rundown of my résumé.”
“Or you could come with me to the gym and we can work out. See what other kinds of skills you have.”
If he wanted to test her ability to defend herself, that was fine with her. But she much preferred banter. “I think that might be more of a third date kind of activity.”
He grinned, but it didn’t last long. “Cards on the table, I do need to know what you can do. Then I won’t be asking too much of you and putting you at risk. That’s a nonnegotiable.”
“And if I need that door to swing both ways?” She knew he had all that military training, but what was he prepared to do on a local level when they had no idea what they were going up against? “I might need to know how long it takes you to pick a lock or hack a computer.”
“Or copy a flash drive?”
“I’ll have you know I’m much better at that these days.” She lifted her chin. “Well, better than I was when we first met.” Kira blew out a breath. “I didn’t do anything today, so maybe I’m rustier than I realized.”
He should be looking at her as if he was in awe of her amazing skills, but he wasn’t. “I’m glad I was here.”
Me too. But she needed this conversation to swing back to banter. “If either of us had the time, I’d say we go head-to-head in a series of challenges. See who comes out on top.”
“It’s probably good we have this Marshals thing and the gala coming up. I wouldn’t want you to be too embarrassed when I soundly beat you.”
She lifted her brows, wanting to laugh. “Overconfidence. That’s an interesting tactic. And a great way to trip and fall over your own ego.”
“I guess we’ll just have to see what happens.”
She didn’t plan to trip and fall. Unless this suit of his was really something.
Kira leaned forward so their faces were close enough their lips almost touched. His eyes flared. She said, “Bring it on.”