Free Bishop's Folly by Evelyn Glass Page B

heavy cologne made her nose itch painfully. She wanted nothing more than to step away and seek sanctuary in her office. Go somewhere far, far away from Stan. Maybe take a shower. The thoughts stilled her words on her tongue while Stan stared expectantly.
     
    “Sir? There's a call for you.” An officer tapped Stan on the shoulder. Stan jerked and looked over his shoulder at the man. His hands tightened on Stella's shoulders and the woman knew he didn't enjoy being interrupted in this moment. The need to get away from him flared brightly in her head.
     
    “I don't think this is appropriate work talk, Agent Jackson.” Stella breathed, before Stan could snap or dismiss her godsend. She could barely contain the urge to pull away from his hands. The need to wash her face crawled across her skin. Yet, Stella swallowed her discomfort down.
     
    “Then where do you suggest?” A coy smile curled at his lips. His thumbs massaged little circles into Stella's shoulders.
     
    “My place?” Stella suggested, forcing the corners of her lips upwards. She prayed her mouth wasn't twisted into a wince. His massaging fingers did little more than roil her stomach. “Tonight at eight.”
     
    “It's a date,” murmured Stan with a squeeze of her shoulders. Stella forced a giggle to her lips and nodded quickly, but her heart froze as the man swept down. Agent Jackson landed a peck on her cheek before he swept of down the hallway. Stella stood there, fighting revulsion as she trained her lips into a smile. The nausea in her throat clawed and fought up to her mouth.
     
    When her partner rounded the corner, Stella darted down the corridor. She slapped a hand to her mouth as the queasiness surged upward.
     

CHAPTER TEN
     
    Once Stella stepped into her office, the nausea subsided. She leaned against the door, closing her eyes and sucking in deep breaths. Her fingers trembled as she locked the door. Her other hand found the light switch, and the lights flickered on.
     
    “You okay?”
     
    Stella's gaze snapped open, her eyes finding Bishop lounging at her desk. He made himself at home, just like the last time. Oddly, he seemed more at ease in the office than Stella felt.
     
    “What are you doing here?” Stella hissed, pushing herself off the door. She quickly double checked the blinds to make sure they were securely closed. Stella marched to the desk, slamming her hands down and leaning across the surface. All traces of discomfort erased as she leered at him. Deep inside a warm comfort tingled. “If anyone saw you, our plan is going to be screwed.”
     
    “Chill out, honey,” Bishop leaned further back in the chair, propping his boots atop her desk. “The janitor snuck me in. They won't breathe a word.”
     
    “Stop being so arrogant,” Stella snorted and rolled her eyes. Deep inside, her comfort turned to a heady thrill.
     
    “Aw, but isn't that what you enjoy about me?”
     
    “In moderation.” Stella shook her head, trying to dislodge her fond amusement. A small part of her enjoyed Bishop's smug nature; another part equally enjoyed wiping his smirk from his lips. “Bishop, what are you doing here?”
     
    “You seemed nervous about coming in today.” Bishop swung his feet off the desk. The chair creaked under him as he stood up. He recalled Stella's pacing, her faint trembles, and even the shiver in her voice whenever “Monday” came up in their talks. Bishop hated watching her go and hated feeling as if he were failing her. However, a federal agent with a biker bodyguard wouldn't go down very well at a police department. Besides, she had to convince Stan that she was enamored with him, which left a bad taste in Bishop's mouth. The air turned hot and prickly as he rounded the desk, standing beside Stella. “I just wanted to make sure you'd be alright.”
     
    She tried to shrug off the giddiness that tickled at her heart. Stella turned toward Bishop. As always, the way he towered over her brought a hormonal