One

One

As Sean Kaheaku watched Lassiter drone on about the mission, he barely paid attention. Sure, the target was one of the richest men in the world, who just happened to be paranoid as fuck. It didn't matter. He was completely and absolutely entranced by his new partner Jaime Alexander.

He couldn't remember when he had been so damned preoccupied by a woman. Her light brown skin and curvy body would tempt any man, but the intelligent hazel gaze drew Sean more than that. He liked a smart woman. Stupid women tended to get on his nerves, and there was no doubt, this woman would not.

Of course, at the moment, she was reading over the report and ignoring him. That intrigued him even more.

"Kaheaku, you paying attention?"

He looked up at Lassiter. The man was giving Sean a knowing look. Damn. Busted.

"Yes. I understand the job. It isn't like I haven't done it a million times before now."

Lassiter rolled his eyes. "Listen, this is my last job, and I want it to go without a hitch. Do you understand?" He included Jaime in the question. She glanced up and nodded, then looked back to the report.

Lassiter gave Sean his full attention. Sean held his hands out and smiled. "Of course. Just as long as your fellow countrywoman can keep it together."

Jaime glanced over at him. "God save me from men who feel the need to have measuring contests."

Instead of getting mad, he chuckled, then looked at Lassiter. "Okay, we won't have any problems."

Lassiter nodded.

"Anything else?" he asked.

"No. The event is formal tonight, so make sure to wear a tux."

He acknowledged that with a nod, and turned to Jaime. "I'll pick you up at eight, is that good?"

She nodded but said nothing, as her attention was back on the report. He left and started down the hall. He didn't always fool around on the job. Truth was, before now, he hadn't been all that interested in his partners—both men and women; Sean had a taste for both. He'd only been a civilian for eighteen months, and he had been in ten operations. He knew that people tended to have intense relationships for very short periods of time. There was always a chance this was the last UC. One mistake and you could end up dead. Still, there was that chance you could die that made a person take romantic chances. And he definitely wanted to take a chance with Ms. Jaime Alexander.

Just thinking her name and he felt slightly light-headed. Jesus, it was like he was fourteen and in love again for the first time. His palms were sweaty just thinking about being with her tonight. She had a saucy British accent, one from the other side of the tracks. Add in her husky voice, which slipped beneath his skin and whispered across his soul, and he was a goner.

He shook his head and drew in a deep breath. He had to keep his brain on the game or they would be in trouble. With new purpose, he walked down the hallway to his room. He had worked a lot of jobs, but this one had more danger than usual. Since they were new partners, Sean knew there would be a few bumps tonight. Hopefully, everything would turn out fine in the end. Bug the office, get out alive, and then, he might just get a taste of the very luscious Jaime Alexander.

"He's as arrogant as I had heard," Jaime said when they were alone.

Lassiter smiled at her. He was an attractive man, always had been, and Jaime had always had a thing for older men. He wasn't that much older, maybe ten years, but he had a way about him. From his tailor made suits, to the touch of gray at his temples, Royce Lassiter was a man who drew a lot of attention. For some reason, though, she had never been attracted to him that way. He was more like an older brother to her.

"He has good reason to be. He's the best recruit we've had in years."

"Walter Hayes trained him."

He nodded and looked out the window. "And Hayes said he was his best student."

Inwardly, she sighed. It wasn't Kaheaku's fault that she was feeling inferior. Lassiter had found her and trained her. She was as good of an agent as Sean, but she did not have his reputation.

She would soon though. Working with him on her way up would definitely help. Keeping up with Kaheaku would give her some points in other agents' eyes. It stung that she had to play the game, but she understood. She was the unknown, the one person no one knew about.

"Just remember, he likes to improvise. He's good at it so follow his lead."

She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, then picked up her purse. "Don't worry about me, love. I know how to handle myself."

She was almost out of the door when he stopped her with a comment. "This isn't play time tonight, Jaime. Nicolai Letov will not negotiate if you two are discovered."

"I'm sure we'll be able to handle it."

He shook his head. "Just be extra careful. He will get the information from you and then he will kill you."

"You think Kaheaku and I cannot keep our mouths shut."

His lips flatted and he made a sound of disgust. "No. I think both of you could handle it very well—at first. You are both stubborn enough. But, Letov has a particular forte."

"That being?"

"He gets people to talk, and then he gets them to beg him to die. He was trained by some of the best ex-KGB agents around. Just make sure you listen to Sean."

With a smile she knew held very little humor, she said, "Don't worry, sir. I can handle Kaheaku."

With that, she slipped out the door and shut it behind her. When she was alone in her room, she leaned against the door and closed her eyes. She had heard the rumors, knew of the man, but seeing him in person was a bit more than she had expected.

At least six three or four, he towered over her, but he didn't use it against her. She could tell he was a man who used his personality for that. She couldn't fight the smile. She liked arrogant men, and Sean Kaheaku had that in spades. God, he was gorgeous. She closed her eyes and his image materialized.

His inky hair was a tad bit too long, and he had the most amazing green eyes. What she wouldn't give to have his sexy mouth on her flesh. His golden brown skin looked as if it had been kissed by the sun. It had been rainy the last month or so, and she knew he had been in England, which confirmed one thing for her. His skin was that shade from the tips of his toes to the top of his head. Jaime shivered.

She pushed herself away from the door and tried to concentrate on what she needed to do. They had to look like a couple who belonged. It wouldn't be a problem for someone like her. Jaime had been pretending to belong most of her life. Now, at least, she could make a living at it and not end up in prison.