She sat on the edge of the bench. Awareness of his presence pulsed through her. He had a ruggedness and a vital power that drew her in, making her wish he’d sit beside her and wrap his arm around her shoulders for an embrace. Her face flushed hot with embarrassment. “You don’t have to stay. I can handle this alone. I’m sure you have somewhere to be.”
“There isn’t anyplace on earth I’d rather be.” His intense gaze hinted at some deeper meaning, despite the playful curve of his mouth.
Taken aback by his words, her heart fluttered uncharacteristically beneath her breastbone. The man was charming to be sure, but there was something else, something in his steel gaze that made her believe his words. Trills of excitement raced up her spine, but self-doubt trampled after, warning, “Don’t get your hopes up.”
Needing to bring the conversation to a more benign topic, she asked, “What brought you to Loribel Island?”
Jason stretched his long legs out in front of him as he settled next to her and rested an arm along the back of the bench. “Many things. The ocean, the sun. It’s usually a peaceful place.” He slanted a mischievous glance at her. “But then you arrived.”
“Wow,” she said with a playful tone. “Thanks.”
Attraction arced. She forced her gaze from his teasing grin and focused on the café. He was gorgeous. Fine. But just because she was acutely responsive to him didn’t mean she had to be interested. Did it? And if she was—where could a romance possibly lead? Her life was in Boston, his here on Loribel.
The door to the café had opened, and the man they were waiting for walked out.
Jason stiffened, his whole body seeming to vibrate with energy. “Here we go.”
Senses jumping to alert, she smothered her romantic musings and concentrated on their quarry. They followed him, careful to keep a reasonable distance.
The man led them through Old Loribel, past quaint boutiques and art galleries that might tempt distraction for others, but to her were potential places where the suspicious man or his accomplices could hide.
Pausing occasionally beside the tall, graceful palms lining the street, Angie found Jason an easy surveillance partner. It had taken her and her currant homicide detective partner, Gabe Burke, at least a month before they’d synced.
Not once did she have to pull Jason back or explain the subtlety of feigning interest in anything other than the subject. Obviously he hadn’t forgotten his army training. Still, she had to wonder why he was going along with her. What was in it for him?
When they reached the parking lot at the end of town and the man climbed into a beat-up, red, single-cab truck, Angie figured they’d lose the guy. Jason’s Jeep was back near the café. But Jason surprised her by procuring two touring bikes from a nearby rental stand.
“Seriously?” She stared at the bright pink helmet he handed her.
“What better way to blend in than to stick out.” He grinned and secured a neon green helmet on his head.
Knowing precious seconds were ticking by, Angie didn’t argue. She quickly let down her hair to don the helmet and hopped on the bike. Keeping the truck in sight, she started down the road, her legs pumping the pedals and her heart rate kicking up with the effort. The invigorating sense of action and adrenaline propelling Angie forward made her smile. Jason rode beside her, falling back when traffic demanded.
The clouds let loose with a smattering of rain. Her excitement wasn’t dampened even as wetness soaked her clothes.
A bike chase was definitely a first—one her brothers would get a kick out of.
She glanced at Jason. He winked. Exhilaration bubbled over into a laugh.
Two miles later, the red truck turned off the main street onto a paved private road, then disappeared from view behind thick, lush foliage lining the road.
Frustrated, Angie pulled over to the muddy shoulder and stopped. A second later Jason halted beside her.
“Do you know where that road leads?” she asked.
His expression grew pensive. “Oh, yeah. There’s an estate at the end that belongs to the Corrinda family. They’ve been here since the founding of the island.” His gaze narrowed in speculation. “There’s a private cove attached to the property.”
Anticipation revved in her veins. “Let’s go.”
“No.” He grabbed the handlebar of her bike. “It’s private property.”
She opened her mouth to say the restrictions didn’t matter, she had probable cause. Those men last night had illegal weapons. Only, she didn’t have jurisdiction. Here she’d be nothing more than a trespasser. She yanked her cell phone out of her jacket pocket. “I’ll call the chief.”
“Definitely one option. But really, what’s the chief going to do? You didn’t file a report. He’s not going to raid a private residence without probable cause. And the way he dismissed you before, I doubt he’d take your word alone.”
Her gut twisted with frustration and unease. He was right. Chief Decker hadn’t exactly been very receptive last night. But with Jason’s collaboration the chief would have to take her seriously. “You can back me up.”
He shook his head, his stormy eyes troubled. “Sorry. No way do I want to get involved with the authorities.”
Disbelief and anger rushed to batter at her temples just as the rain beat against the helmet and soaked her clothes. “Why?”
“Hey, I’m just a boat captain trying to make a living while having a little fun in the sun.”
So that’s what all of his help was about—him having some fun. At her expense.
Disappointment clawed at her insides. He wasn’t the man she thought he was. “Fine. You don’t need to be involved. I’ll go see Chief Decker by myself.”
She yanked the bike from his grasp and pedaled back toward town, not bothering to see if Jason followed.
Jason’s insides coiled with guilt as he watched Angie ride away. For the first time in his life he regretted having to play the part his undercover work demanded. Boy, was he having a hard time keeping up the pretense with Angie.
He’d been apologetic to Serena when he’d had to leave and couldn’t tell her anything about the assignment.
But why did he regret keeping his cover with a woman he’d just met and barely knew?
He could only guess it was because she was a fellow law-enforcement officer. If he could take her into his confidence, he would in a heartbeat. But he’d worked too hard and too long to build this cover. Even one person knowing his true identity could jeopardize the whole mission. No way would he risk blowing everything because he liked the pretty cop.
The faster she left the island the better. She was proving to be a distraction he really couldn’t afford. He could never forget his purpose. And with Angie around he might.
He rode back to town, letting Angie stay well ahead of him but maintaining a visual on her. He still had an obligation to protect her. At the bike rental hut, he stopped her from walking away. “Let me drive you back to your place.”
She shook off his hand. “That’s okay. I’ll manage. Just steer me in the direction of the police department.”
There was no point in refusing her request. He gestured to the brick building off the main street with the American flag flying out front. “There.”
She walked away without another word.