A Shot at Love. Peggy Jaeger

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СКАЧАТЬ usually get one in three or four times a week,” she said. “I missed yesterday’s and now today is all but over. Why do you ask? Can I?” Her eyes lit up as she looked across the table at him with such childlike expectation, that Ky momentarily forgot what he’d been about to say.

      He gave himself a mental shake.

      “Not outside, no. It’s not safe.” And just as quickly, her excitement disappeared. “But we’ve got a treadmill and workout set up in the basement. Free weights, mats. You’re welcome to use anything down there.”

      “Really? Is that where you worked out this morning?”

      Her cheeks instantly colored and Ky couldn’t for the life of him figure out why she’d be embarrassed at the question.

      “I mean, I noticed when you came into the kitchen you were, you know…you looked like…maybe you’d been running. Or something. Working out. You were all…sweaty.”

      She stopped and took a large gulp of water. Across the table Jon’s eyebrows rose as he turned his gaze from her blushing face to Ky’s.

      Not understanding the cause of her awkwardness, Ky replied, simply, “Yes, it was. Do you think your knee is up to a run?”

      “Maybe not a full one. But walking on a treadmill is better than doing nothing.”

      “After dinner I’ll show you the setup,” he told her.

      While he saw to their meal, Gemma asked them both, “Have you found out anything new? Who killed your agents? Or…anything else.”

      “No,” Jon answered.

      “Oh.”

      The disappointment in her voice echoed throughout the kitchen.

      “I don’t suppose you could tell me anything, anyway,” she said, “since I’m not a cop or involved in any official way.”

      “It’s not that,” Ky said. “Believe me, you have a right to know what we find out. We both agree on that.” He nodded at Jon. “But your life is in danger now and our priority isn’t only finding the hit squad, but in keeping you safe as well.”

      She laid her salad fork down on the table.

      He didn’t know what to make of her silence. In truth, he liked it better when she was sparring with him, showing her strength and will.

      Ky rose and served them the now ready stew.

      “We’ll get them,” he told her. “I’m certain.”

      Gemma’s gaze tracked his movements while he ladled their dinner into bowls. “I keep telling myself that, but…”

      “No buts,” Ky said and sat. “For now, just eat.”

      “Good Lord.” Gemma closed her eyes when the first spoonful passed her lips. “Is this another of your grandmother’s recipes?”

      He shook his head. “This one belongs to Mom. Although, I’m sure my grandmother added something to it.”

      “You really need to write these down so I can give them to Kandy. She’s always on the lookout for new recipe ideas for her shows. She’ll probably want to do an entire hour on Greek cuisine after tasting this.”

      “I thought her show wasn’t in production anymore?” Ky said.

      Gemma squinted at him. “How do you know that? I didn’t peg you for a cooking show groupie.” Her lips pressed into a small line, her head cocked to one side. Something akin to a playful glare danced in her eyes as she regarded him.

      In that second, Ky had such an overwhelming desire to kiss the grin off her face that he had to count to five before replying, fearful he’d give into the temptation.

      “Not me, the women in my family,” he said when he knew he’d be able to control himself. “They’re all big fans. My sister-in-law Phaedra was the one, I think, who mentioned a while back the show wasn’t live anymore.”

      Gemma didn’t reply, and when the grin disappeared from her lips, he wondered at the cause.

      “Everything okay?” Jon asked, noticing as well her quick mood change.

      She laid down her spoon and took a swig of her water. “I just realized something. Something I hadn’t even considered before right now.”

      “What?” both men asked.

      She lifted her gaze to Ky and swallowed. The camera that had slung around her neck until she placed it next to her salad bowl before eating, she now pulled back into her hands and fiddled with again. It was almost as if holding it gave her some sort of comfort, of solace, like a child with a favorite blanket or toy.

      Why is she nervous?

      “I’ve been so wrapped up in thinking about how my life has been turned upside down with this whole situation. I never even considered what it might mean to the two of you, having to be stuck here with me. Being away from your families. Loved ones.” She looked down at the camera and then back up at Ky. “Wives.”

      The air in the room suddenly flared with an unseen electrical charge Ky couldn’t put a cause to. He swore her eyes changed colors: darkened from crystals to pale blueberries while she gazed across at him. Her sculpted brows pulled together above her eyes while she bit the inside of her cheek.

      “No worries on that front,” Jon told her. “Neither of us is hitched. Although,” he slanted a look at Ky, “it’s been rumored around the office Papps is married to his job.”

      The jest had its intended reaction. Gemma’s quick, unfiltered laugh broke the sudden tension at the table.

      She leveled her gaze at him. Ky couldn’t read what she thought about Jon’s statement in her eyes, if she believed it, or not, but the wall of wariness had fallen down.

      She turned to Jon and, with a gentle, questioning lift of her brows said, “And you’re not?”

      His own grin was fast and boyish. Ky knew what a flirt his partner was, and usually wasn’t bothered by it. Jon Winters was a top-notch agent, a crack shot, and there was no one else Ky wanted covering his back during a hairy situation.

      But he wished his partner would tone down the charm a little with Gemma Laine. That quick, hot bead of jealousy he swore he hadn’t felt yesterday had been a lie he’d told himself so he wouldn’t get blindsided. They had a job to do; several, in fact. Aside from keeping Gemma safe, they needed to find out who had leaked Calafano’s whereabouts to Ritandi and figure out another way they could put him away for good. Flirting with their present witness wasn’t a good idea. On any level.

      When he saw how easily and freely she interacted with his partner though, Ky knew the little stab in his midsection had a name.

      “No, ma’am,” Jon replied. “I’m too young and good looking to be tied down at this age. I’m single, bilingual, and ready to mingle.”

      Gemma’s gaze narrowed.

      “I’ve СКАЧАТЬ