Was that a rebuke of Derek for having sex with Jenna?
Jenna changed the subject. “How did you get into human intelligence?”
“I studied criminal justice and applied to the agency after graduation. I got accepted and went through aptitude testing. They decided I had the skill set for languages and human intelligence.” Elizabeth glanced at her watch. “Shoot. I’ve got to go. I’ve got a meeting in five minutes. It was fun talking. Maybe we can have lunch tomorrow. I’m usually here right around noon.”
Jenna didn’t have anything else to do. “Sure.”
Elizabeth flashed a bright smile. “See you then.”
* * *
Derek madehis way toward Jenna’s room, knowing with every step that he shouldn’t be doing this. Corbray was right. He had no business getting it on with Jenna or any other woman right now. He had a job to do, and it didn’t include doing her. It wasn’t the easiest thing to remember with her scent still on his skin.
You just need to check on her.
Right. That was fair.
There wasn’t much to do here—nothing that might interest Jenna, at any rate. He’d left her alone all evening, working late with his team, analyzing the options and looking for the best way to get Jenna safely out of Afghanistan and back to the U.S. There were so many unknowns.
Why did Kazi want her? How many men and resources was he willing to commit to acquiring her? Did Kazi know where Jenna was at this moment? What was Cobra’s standing with Kazi? And although the intel wonks said there was a ninety-eight percent probability that Qassim had been acting on Kazi’s orders, that still left a two-percent chance that he’d gone rogue or was working for someone else.
All of this had left Derek feeling uneasy—and far more protective of Jenna than he usually was where a client was concerned. This was no longer just another job. It had become personal. He wanted to beat thefuckout of Qassim—and Kazi.
He knocked on her door. “It’s Derek.”
Nothing.
He knocked again. “Jenna?”
“Coming!” She opened the door wearing a white bathrobe, her feet bare. “I just got out of the shower.”
Stay where you are. Don’t go into her room.
“I don’t want to keep you. I just wanted to make sure you were okay. I wasn’t around much this evening, and I know there’s not a lot to do here.”
“You’re working on my behalf. I know that.” She ran a hand through her hair, teasing out tangles. “I hung out with Elizabeth. We went to the gym and then watched ‘Afghan Star’—that’s their version of ‘American Idol.’”
Derek knew what it was.
Tell her goodnight. Go.
“Can I come in?”
Way to go, buddy.
“I wish you would.”
Yeah, you’re a fucking idiot.
He stepped inside, shut the door behind him, locked it. “I’ve spent every minute since I left your side reminding myself of all the reasons I shouldn’t come here. I’m working. You’re Jimmy’s little sister. You’re my client. Soon, you’ll be on a plane back to the U.S. I don’t do relationships. I’m always overseas. That’s my life.”
“I know.” She untied her robe, let it fall open. “The way I see it, all we have is right now. We might as well make the most of it.”
The sight of her sent of a ragged bolt of lust shearing through him—those perfect breasts, the curve of her hips, the thatch of dark curls between her thighs. He had tasted all of it, and he wanted more, rules be damned.
He backed her up against the wall and kissed her—hard. She kissed him back, her urgency matching his.
She tugged down his zipper, took his half-hard cock in hand, her touch bringing him to fullness. “Now.”