Free Special Agent Maximilian by Mimi Barbour

How the little poser had caught up so fast, he’d never know.
    “Thought you’d pull your vanishing stunt again.”
    “You’ve got to be kidding me.” Not impressed, Nik glared at his sidekick. “Why are you following me, Julian?”
    “Juli.”
    “Juli’s a girl’s name. Quit changing the subject. Why did you come after me?”
    “Because you packed and left without a word.”
    “I didn’t take everything.”
    “Looked like it to me.”
    “Well, I didn’t, you snoopy bastard. Look, I’ll be away for a few days, but the room’s paid for. Think you can survive that long without me?”
    “You mean you’re gonna leave me all alone to fend for myself?”
    “You’ll survive.” Nik stopped in his tracks. “Don’t walk like that.”
    “Like what?”
    “Like you’re some kind of a model on a runway for a fucking fashion show is what.” Remembering his appointment, Nik whirled away from Julian and stepped up his speed. He swore when Julian rushed to catch up, his hips swaying worse and his hands keeping time.
    “I do not.”
    “Yeah! You do. And I don’t like it. Either walk normal—stop swinging your hands all over the place—or go walk on the other side of the street.”
    “So now you’re embarrassed to be seen with me?”
    “That’s not what I said, and don’t put words into my mouth.”
    “I guess you want me to walk like a man.” A faint jeer could be heard in Julian’s voice. “Like you?”
    “What the hell is wrong with the way I walk?”
    “Oh! Nothing. Nothing at all. You have a really sexy ass and the way you move it makes me swoon—you should be fined for incitement.”
    In a flash, Nik had Julian up against the brick wall of the drugstore they were passing. “You keep your squinty eyes off my sexy ass, or
your
ass will be in a sling from the swift kick I plant there. Understand?”
    “Hell yes! And just so you know, the way you have of being able to move like greased lightning is
such
a turn on… okay! Forget it.” With his hands held up in surrender, and an unholy twinkle in his eyes, Julian added, “I’m sorry, man. It’s just so damn easy to yank your chain.”
    Eyes narrowed, warnings flashing, Nik ground his teeth and watched Julian’s eyes register. No way could he ever let the little twerp know that it was his way of stopping the laughter that the little shit had the ability to rouse in him. He’d never met anyone so unintimidated, and who seemed to have complete faith in the fact that Nik was all bark and no bite.
    The truth was that he had bitten many in the past, part of the job. Pushed too far, he could and would again. But certainly not the little fellow whose eyes held only worship and warmth.
    Shaking him loose, Nik went to pick up his garment bag and dropped backpack, just as a crazy teenager on a bike swooped past and snagged the strap. Peddling for all he was worth, the kid headed up the street with Nik giving chase. He’d have caught him too, but Julian, having taken a short cut through a restaurant yard, materialized on the street where the biker showed up. Leaping from the top of a parked car, Julian dumped the bike and began playing tug of war with the rider.
    “Give that back.” Stubbornly, Julian held on.
    Aiming his fist for Julian’s face, the teen’s jaw dropped when his opponent’s arm blocked the swing. He was even more shocked by the fancy defense moves when he tried to pull Julian down.
    Fury etched on a face not yet shaving, the loser looked up to see Nik fast approaching. Shoving the bag sideways along with his attacker, he hopped back on his bike and took off, legs pumping madly.
    Julian held out the scuffed, torn backpack, a proud grin lighting his face. “I got it.”
    “Yeah, I saw. Thanks, man. Guess we’re even now.”
    “Not by a long shot. You saved my life. I saved your bag. I’d say I’m one up.”
    Nik cracked. He couldn’t help the chuckle that broke loose. “How do you figure that?” Heading to his appointment