Page 5 of No Lies No Promises

Instead of backing off, his scowl deepens, but he remains silent.

“We all agreed a little calculated flirtation was worth the risk,” I remind him. “We need intel on Parkhaven, and he’s the best way to get it.”

“Fine. Can you at least agree to wear my ring?” He sounds so hopeful, I hate saying no, but we've had this discussion a million times.

Exhausted, covered in muck, and sitting in a ditch far too long, I snap harder than I normally would. “Jeff thinks you're a multimillionaire. Buying a convincing diamond?” I snort. “Light-years outside our budget, but it's okay. The man's harmless. I can fend off his advances. You need to let me do my job.”

Sean's jaw flexes.

Wanting to temper my words, I cup the back of his head and kiss him until he finally responds with his tongue. We only break apart when sirens and flashing lights cut through the storm.

“Wait here.” As I start to climb, he grabs my arm.

Keeping one hand on the tourniquet, he strips off his overshirt and tosses it to me. “Best cover up those gorgeous girls, you know?”

Depending on your perspective, my tits don't hold a candle to his well-defined abs, but I'm no exhibitionist. After wringing out as much reddish-brown water as possible, I slip the shirt over my head.

“Be right back.” Climbing from the gulley, I stumble into the headlights, waving both arms.

“Hey! Please! Over here! We need help!”

Chapter 3

Sean

When beeping alarms, voices, and brisk footsteps wake me, I force my lids open. Cot. Monitors. IV. Curtains. Emergency room.

A soft hand squeezes my fingers. From there, my gaze drifts up a toned, dirty arm to blond strands brushing a shoulder. Higher still, concerned hazel eyes laser-focus on mine beneath the fluorescent lights.

Swallowing ice water through a straw, I tick through the events of the evening. Accident. Bomb. Blood loss. Ambulance. Hospital.

“There you are.” Smiling, Lillian whispers in my ear, “If anyone asks, I told the front desk I’m your wife.”

My damn heart almost overflows. I may not be sure of anything else, but by God, I love this woman. “See? Yet another reason to tie the knot, sweetheart.”

“Worst proposal ever.” The freckles on her pert nose wrinkle as she snickers.

Wishing I could go down on one knee, I say with all seriousness, “Marry me, babe. Right now. There must be a chaplain wandering around here somewhere.”

It’s a brilliant plan. If only I’d thought of it sooner.

She rises, brushes her lips over mine, then points to the bag hanging from a metal hook. “You’ll have to bring your fluids. You lost a lot of blood.”

“No problem. Ring for the nurse. Let’s do this.” Elbows on the mattress, I start to rise, stopped by her palm on my chest.

“How about we wait until they stitch you up and the morphine leaves your system? I wouldn't want to be accused of taking advantage.” She lifts the Styrofoam cup off the rolling tray. “More?”

Don't remember much after that.

Where am I? Where’s Lil?

My thigh throbs like a motherfucker, so I lift the edge of a white bandage. Ten stitches. Huh. Not so bad. Deep, probably. I've had worse.

There she is.

Face no longer dirt-caked, wearing hospital scrubs, Lillian smiles as she exits the bathroom. “Feeling better?”

“Much.” Too bad we lost the Ferrari. Wonder what an Uber from the middle of Bumfuck, New Jersey costs. “How long before we can go?”