Free Diamonds Are Truly Forever: An Agent Ex Novel 2 by Gina Robinson Page A

grinned at her. “See how I used the pauses to make the story ring true?”
    Staci frowned. “Yeah, you’re a great actor. Must have been all those classes you took.”
    He ignored her jibe. “You try.”
    She shook her head. “No way.” She crossed her arms. “I don’t need practice. I’ve got it. Too much practice and the whole thing will come out sounding stiff and rehearsed.”
    She had no intention of looking him in the eye and telling him she was still in love with him, even if he was supposed to be her mother.
    He persisted. “Fair enough. No pretending you’re talking to Linda. Just look me in the eye and tell me you love me. If you can convince me of that, you’re ready for tomorrow.”
    Her mouth fell open. “Nothing like asking the impossible. I couldn’t convince you of that when we were happily married.”
    He didn’t rise to the bait. “Come on. Give it a try.”
    “I love you,” she said in her best monotone, knowing she was simply goading him with her lack of effort.
    “Uncross your arms, closed body posture is not your friend, and say it like you mean it.” He stared at her intently. “Just once. With feeling.”
    She uncrossed her arms and leaned forward to stare into his eyes. He wanted a convincing performance, fine, she’d give him one. So he would finally leave her alone. She knew how stubborn he was.
    She scooted forward until their knees touched and took his hands in hers before staring him in the eye, pretending with all her being that this was the first time she’d told him she loved him. “I love you, Fields.” She squeezed his hands.
    He pulled his hands free and, before she could move away, cupped her face gently in his hands. “I love you, too, babe.”
    His voice was so soft, it nearly broke.
    One thing was for sure, the tender look in his eyes was breaking her heart and causing her pulse to race in a way it hadn’t since they first started dating.
    He leaned forward.
    She remained in place. Or maybe she did lean forward. With the world tilting like it was, it was hard to tell.
    His lips met hers. He kissed her gently, exceptionally tenderly, yet probingly. Very much like the first time.
    She was too stunned to stop him. Or even remember to break away. She may have even kissed him back!
    A second later, he broke the kiss and cleared his throat, looking her in the eye with his inscrutable spy face in place. “See, that’s what I’m talking about,” he said in the same tone a coach uses with his team during halftime of a big game. “I knew you could do it.”
    She gaped at him before remembering to put her game face on and try to be as unreadable as he was. No way would she let him see how much he’d rattled her.
    He didn’t wait for her to speak. He jumped up, grabbed the phone, and held it out to her. “I think you’re ready for prime time. Call your mom.”

 
     
    CHAPTER FIVE
     
    Drew stared into the master bathroom mirror as he got ready for bed, mentally running over the security measures he had in place around the condo. He couldn’t find a single lapse or hole in his logic.
    Staci should survive the night.
    Even so, he felt apprehensive about her staying in the room next to his. He hoped she didn’t get any smart ideas about sneaking out. He’d already warned her he’d armed the security system. And although he didn’t have disintegrator stairs, he had his share of toys. She wouldn’t get far, nor would an intruder penetrate the condo without his knowing. But she could disrupt his sleep. In truth, she already had. And he hadn’t even been to bed yet.
    He shook his head at the bemused reflection of himself in the mirror. You’ve done it now, buddy.
    He shouldn’t have kissed Staci. He knew it before he leaned forward into her lips, but somehow the knowledge hadn’t stopped him. He’d like to claim he was just going with the performance, carrying it out to its logical extreme. But in reality, he knew the truth—he’d wanted to kiss his wife,