“Maybe it’s all the brooding and glowering.”

“No one complains when you break out the don’t-fuck-with-me face.”

“True. But I have natural charm that wins people over.” Nick turned serious again. “So we’re good?”

“Nick McCall, special agent in charge.” Jack slapped him on the shoulder. “I suppose there are worse things that could happen to this office.” His eyes moved up to a television on the wall behind Nick. “Now there’s a sight I never get tired of seeing.”

Nick turned around to look. On the television, U.S. Attorney Cameron Lynde was holding a press conference about Xander Eckhart’s arrest, the hostage situation at DeVine Cellars, and the connection to the Roberto Martino trial. The two agents watched as Cameron easily fielded the reporters’ questions. Then the news piece cut to video footage of the hero of the day, “billionaire heiress and businesswoman” Jordan Rhodes. On the screen flashed an image of Jordan, looking as sleek and sophisticated as ever despite the cast on her wrist, as she stepped out of the Maserati.

Jack leaned over. “Ever get the impression that these women are way out of our league?”

“I shot the last guy who said that to me.”

“And people say I’m cranky.”

Nick chuckled as his eyes turned back to the television screen. As it turned out, he didn’t care whose league Jordan was in. All that mattered was that she was his.


FOUR DAYS LATER, Nick sat on the oversized couch in Jordan’s media room. Facing her, he placed a small black box in her hands and said three words. “Let’s do this.”

She looked down at the box, then back up at him. “This is a really big step, Nick.”

“I’m ready.”

“Are you sure? After this, there’s no turning back.”

“I want to make it official.” He nodded at the box. “Come on – the suspense is killing me.”

“All right. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you.” Jordan pointed the small black remote control at the television. Three more clicks, and Nick heard the words that would seal his fate forever.

“LIVE! It’s Dancing with the Stars!”

Jordan settled in next to him on the couch as the parade of “stars” sashayed their way down a grand staircase and onto the screen. She glanced over to see his reaction. “Hanging in there?”

Nick stared at the television.

There were no words.

“It’s … even worse than I’d imagined,” he whispered. “Is there a reason none of these men have buttons on their shirts?” Horrified, he took in the spray tans. The sequins and feathers. The caked-on makeup and the plunging necklines. And those were the guys. He pointed. “Is that dude wearing eyeliner?”

Jordan patted his knee affectionately. “It’s not too late. There’s probably a basketball game on somewhere.”

Nick eyed the remote control that sat on the coffee table in front of them. It was tempting. But he’d promised.

He turned his attention back to the screen, so shocked and awed by the foreign sights and sounds that he barely noticed when Jordan got up from the couch and headed over to the wet bar behind them. He heard her open a bottle and pour a drink. Then she wrapped her arms around him and placed a glass in his hand.

“Here. Maybe this will help.”

Nick looked down, expecting to find a glass of wine. Instead, he saw a familiar amber-colored liquid in a rocks glass.

Bourbon.

“You are a god,” he said to her.

Jordan smiled. “I even carved out a slot in my wine cellar for the bottle.”

Nick set the rocks glass on the coffee table and pulled her into his lap. “A whole slot? Now that’s the sign of a serious relationship.” He kissed her, biting her lower lip teasingly. When she opened her mouth to his, he pulled her closer and slipped his hands underneath her shirt. He closed his eyes as her lips traced a path along his neck.

Her voice was throaty and seductive. “You know, I think it’s really sexy that you’d watch this show just for me.”

Ding!

Just like that, a light clicked on in Nick’s head. He opened his eyes and grinned knowingly. “Oh, now I get why guys watch it.” He exhaled in relief, his faith in men restored. Whew.

Jordan smiled at his reaction. “And all was right with the world.”

Nick peered down into her teasing eyes as she lay snug in his arms.

Indeed it was.