Free Out of Control by Stephanie Feagan

minute they arrived, he started asking questions.
     That we had nitro blew his mind and he made a big, hairy deal about looking over all
     the paperwork we’re required to have for the privilege.
    I seriously wished we could toss Tim in the fire, but the FBI agent said I couldn’t.
     Bad form to fry a Homeland Security guy. I told the agent to keep Tim away from me
     and the crew, but he wasn’t successful.
    While I was working the nitro load with Robichaud, Tim stood close by and asked stupid
     questions, which we ignored until he said, “It seems far too coincidental that your
     ex-husband is the one behind these blowouts. You were on that platform, and now here
     you are at another blowout.”
    My fingers wrapped around one of the nitro bottles. Nick reached down and gently removed
     them. “It’s ill-mannered to blow up a man, no matter how much he deserves it.”
    Tim said, “I don’t find that at all amusing.”
    “You can either walk away and leave us alone, or risk us screwing this up and blowing
     everything within a half mile radius to kingdom come.” I glared at him. “That includes
     you.”
    I suppose he believed me. Turning, he stalked back to the special agents, who were
     leaning against their government sedan, flirting with Conaway.
    Lowering my head, I returned to the task. “Do you think he’s blowing smoke up my dress?”
    “Yes. Forget him and let’s get this done.”
    But it was hard to ignore him. How did he know I’d once been married to A.J.?
    Mind-reading, Robichaud said evenly, “It’s public record, Blair. Once they zeroed
     in on A.J., they would have researched his past. It means nothing, so don’t fret about
     it. He’s trying to scare you.”
    “Why?”
    “Because that’s what guys like him do.” He met my gaze. “We’ll be back in New Orleans
     by morning. Have breakfast with me. We’ll drink Bloody Marys.”
    “Okay, but no sex.” Had I really said that?
    He raised one dark brow. “Did I ask?”
    “No, but you’re thinking it.”
    “So are you.”
    It was out there then and I wasn’t sure if I was relieved, or bummed out. “Thinking
     and doing are two entirely different things. We can’t sleep together because I’m your
     supervisor. It’s illegal.”
    He grinned at me. “I promise not to tell Tim.”
    Why did he have to be so damned hot? Why did he have to turn out to be a pretty decent
     guy behind that conceited jackass thing he had going? Why couldn’t he have stayed
     at Worldwide so it wouldn’t be a big deal if we jumped into bed and stayed there for
     three days? Never mind that I probably wouldn’t have met him if he’d stayed at Worldwide.
     I wasn’t in the mood to be logical. I wanted Nick Robichaud and it annoyed me that
     I couldn’t have him. “I’m not worried about Tim. I doubt the man’s ever had sex in
     his life because no woman in her right mind would do it with him, so he wouldn’t understand
     what you’re talking about.”
    He sobered suddenly. “Who’d know, except you and me?”
    “No one. You and me are who I’m worried about.”
    His brow creased. He didn’t get it.
    “You’re such a guy. Let’s say we do, and we start having dinner instead of breakfast,
     and more sex, and maybe a trip here and there. Weeks, maybe months pass, then we decide
     to give it up, that it’s not working. We get assigned to a job, maybe a long one in
     the middle of Malaysia, or Iraq. Think about how those go, Robichaud. If you don’t
     get along with everyone on the job, it’s worse than awkward. It’s bad for morale and
     a miserable experience. It’s easier if we just acknowledge we’d like to, then don’t.”
    “Easier for you, maybe.” His gaze slid to my breasts. “I swear to God, it’s gonna
     kill me if I never find out what you look like naked.”
    It didn’t help that his words mimicked my thoughts. “Okay, fine, we’ll play doctor,
     but that’s it.”
    Not that I think I’m funny, or anything, but I did