Free Homeland Security (Defenders of Love Book 2) by Unknown

hazel eyes. "I told you, I met him online. I was in a dry spell and feeling a little lonely. One of the girls at work dared me to make a profile on one of those dating sites. So I did."
    "Did you tell him what you did for a living right away?"
    "It was on my profile."
    Kaiden looked up at Hunter who now stood beside Katie, arms folded across his chest and his expression serious. "He made her a mark the instant he knew what she did for a living."
    His boss nodded agreement.
    "I'm sorry to put you through this, Katie. I just have a few more questions."
    "How long were you seeing each other before he suggested you move to the beach?"
    "Only a couple of months. It was all so exciting. Moving, planning a wedding—oh, what was I thinking?"
    Kaiden rose to a standing position and placed a hand on her shoulder. He felt the overwhelming need to maintain physical contact despite the disapproving look his boss shot at him.
    "Katie and I were going to head over to the hospital today. Someone lifted her ID and access card from her apartment last night. She needs to let them know so they can be on the lookout. Will you let me know what the medical examiner says about Ms. Howe?"
    Hunter studied him for a moment, his expression unreadable, before he replied. "You want me to put someone else on this case?"
    Kaiden narrowed his eyes at his boss. "No, why?"
    "I'm not sure you can remain, what was the word you used? A professional."
    "I am always a professional. I know the rules, boss. I would do anything for the sake of my job, remember?" Kaiden snapped, anger boiling in his gut. He had sacrificed his marriage for the sake of the United States Government. How could Hunter doubt his integrity now?
    Because when he got here that integrity had disappeared. Because if he hadn't interrupted, that professionalism would be tangled up in hotel sheets right about now.
    "All right, James. Do your job. I'll be in touch." Without another word, he strode to the hotel room door and disappeared into the hall. The door closed with a hard slam that made Kaiden flinch.
    He got the feeling Hunter had just laid down the gauntlet. Do his job right—and without any interference from his hormones—or find another job.

    ***

    Katie watched Kaiden's boss leave the room without so much as a glance in her direction. The man had given her the creeps. He looked at her like he knew exactly what she and Kaiden had been doing when he pounded on the door. He worked as an investigator for one of the country's most secretive agencies. He probably had x-ray vision and had seen her straddling Kaiden right through the steel door.
    "Are you in some kind of trouble?" Katie asked.
    "What? Oh, no. Hunter likes to throw his weight around a little. Makes him feel good about himself." Kaiden laughed but it didn't make Katie feel any better about the situation.
    "I'm sorry."
    Kaiden stopped rummaging in his bag and turned to look at her. "Sorry? For what?"
    "For—I don't know—everything, I guess."
    He went over to where she sat and took her hand. Katie let him pull her to her feet and wrap his arms around her. "My job is demanding and there are rules, yes, but I didn't do anything I didn't want to—still want to do—and as soon as this case is over, you and I are going to go about things the proper way. I never should have left that hospital without taking your number and I hate that we found each other again under such awful circumstances."
    "I don't."
    "Don't what?" Kaiden leaned back and looked down at her.
    "I don't hate that we found each other again, despite the circumstances."
    Kaiden's blue eyes smoldered as he studied her. Her body warmed as she felt the pure strength radiating from the arms that held her. She wanted nothing more than to explore the fantasies she herself had created, not to mention find out what exactly Kaiden had been dreaming about, but she knew she had to wait now. The run in with Hunter had been like a neon sign reminding her that they needed to focus