Undercover Virgin Read Online Free Page B

himself wanting her to trust him, yet annoyed that it mattered.
    He'd almost given up on an answer when she finally responded. "You can call me Rianna, if you'd like."
    Rianna. He liked it. It sounded soft and feminine. A little inconsistent with what he knew about her, yet appealing.
    "That's a pretty name, but unusual."
    She hesitated another instant, then added, "My given name is Marianna, but I've always shortened it in one form or another."
    Not a giant leap of faith, but a baby step. He didn't expect much more. He knew how hard it was for an undercover agent to trust anyone after months of being constantly on guard, when a slip of the tongue could blow your cover and end your life. He didn't know how long Rianna had been hiding behind a phony name and background, but he knew it would take her a while to unwind.
    Neither of them was inclined to make small talk, so conversation came to a halt. As the miles passed by, they watched the passing scenery, kept an eye on the traffic behind them and gradually relaxed.
    Kyle grew increasingly aware of her scent, the warmth radiating from her body and even the soft, steady sound of her breathing. His senses absorbed everything about her in an intense, disturbing fashion, even while he argued the idiocy of the reaction. He comforted himself with the thought that their forced alliance wouldn't last much longer.
    It took them a little over two hours to reach the state border and cross from
North Carolina
into
Virginia
. Their destination, a single-story house on the outskirts of Emporia , was easily found. Surrounded by several large bushes and evergreen trees, it sat apart from any neighboring houses.
    Kyle turned into the drive, pulled to a stop near the front porch and shut off the engine.
    Tension hiked upward a few degrees as they faced a new and unknown territory. He and Rianna both studied their surroundings for a long time before considering it safe to get out of the truck. He reached for her bags, but she halted him.
    "Leave them for now."
    His gaze held hers for the first time since they'd left
Elizabeth
City
. More tension flashed between them, complicated by a touch of suspicion. Her wary expression didn't surprise him. She wasn't prepared to trust anyone or anything right now. He nodded, understanding the reaction, and climbed from the truck.
    Rianna let him lead the way to the front porch. He found the key where he'd been told to look and preceded her inside the house, then stopped.
    "Stay put a minute," he said, reaching for the gun he'd tucked in the waistband of his jeans.
    She ignored the command and accompanied him as he searched the house, checking each room thoroughly and making sure they were alone.
    "Everything looks okay," he said a few minutes later as he slowly replaced his gun. "Sullivan should have gotten your message by now. He'll have a couple of agents here to guard the place in an hour or so. They'll be coming from D.C., so it shouldn't take them long."
    "You're not staying?"
    Their gazes met, hers slightly accusing. He ignored a brief pang of guilt.
    "My part of the plan was to get you out of Haroldson's estate and to this safe house. That's all I agreed to do."
    "So you're ready to disappear?"
    The antagonism in her tone had him clenching his jaw. "A week of playing lackey to Haroldson is more than any man should have to take," he argued grimly. "As soon as your bodyguards show up, I'm outta here."
    Rianna snorted indelicately. "Meantime, I'm starved," she said. "I think I'll see what kind of food we have stocked."
    His annoyance vanished at the thought of food. It had been a long time since breakfast, and a meal now would help him avoid making extra stops on his way home. He decided not to argue.
    "Sounds good."
    Kyle followed her to the kitchen and watched while she rummaged through the refrigerator. He admired the way her jeans molded the feminine curves of her hips, thighs and long legs. A man would have to be emasculate not to notice how well