Always Look Twice Read Online Free Page A

Over him. ‘‘What’s wrong with me?’’ she muttered beneath her breath.
    ‘‘Don’t ask me,’’ he replied, his tone knowing. ‘‘Same affliction has a hold on me. It’s all I can do to keep my hands off of you.’’
    ‘‘Maybe once this is over, we should see a doctor.’’ She grabbed hold of the small transmitter and tugged it from inside his shirt, pulling the tape away with it.
    ‘‘A sex therapist?’’
    She handed him the transmitter. ‘‘I don’t think couples with our particular problem qualify for their expertise.’’
    Always observant, Mark positioned the device in the one spot at her waist just above her right hip where the drape of her dress would conceal its presence. But when he went to withdraw his hand, he took a northward, leisurely route. His thumb flicked her nipple, and Annabelle’s nerves zinged straight to her core. She sensed the dampness gather between her legs. ‘‘Dammit, Callahan!’’
    ‘‘Sorry.’’ He dragged her dress bodice up. ‘‘I lost my self-control.’’
    ‘‘Well, you’d better find it.’’ She zipped, buttoned, and glared, as angry with herself as she was frustrated with him. ‘‘We need to go now. ’’
    Mark nodded and slipped the miniature earbud from his ear and fitted it into hers. ‘‘Matt, I’m handing her over. Annabelle, meet my brother Matt.’’
    Rather than the hello she expected, Annabelle heard him say, ‘‘Annabelle, abort this mission. I’ll pay you one hundred thousand dollars. Hell, I’ll pay you a million dollars. Short of killing him, do whatever you need to do—use any weapon at your disposal— but don’t let my brother out of that closet.’’

Chapter Two
    Mark watched Annabelle’s eyes widen. ‘‘Excuse me?’’
    She listened a moment. Then her lips lifted in a smile. ‘‘I don’t know whether to feel flattered or offended or embarrassed, Matt. That’s some proposition on your part.’’
    ‘‘What’s going on?’’ Mark demanded.
    She flashed him a sassy, self-confident grin. ‘‘Unless I completely misunderstood, your brother just offered me a million dollars to have sex with you. You must have really missed me bad, Callahan.’’ She cracked open the door and peered out into the kitchen. ‘‘Wait a minute. . . .’’
    ‘‘A million . . .’’ Dammit, Matthew. ‘‘He’s worried that I can’t handle Rad.’’
    She didn’t look away from the door. ‘‘You’re not handling Rad. I am.’’
    Mark wanted her to understand why his brother would make such a lamebrain suggestion. ‘‘He thinks I’m going rogue. He doesn’t believe I’ll leave Rad to you.’’
    ‘‘He doesn’t know me, doesn’t know my capabilities. But’’—now she did glance away from the door and leveled serious brown eyes upon him—‘‘he does know you. Are you thinking about changing the plan, Callahan?’’
    ‘‘Nope.’’ Mark gave his head a definitive shake. ‘‘You are in charge of Rad. He’s not even on my radar until Sophia is safe.’’
    She studied him for a moment, judging his truthfulness. ‘‘I’ll hold you to that. Now we’re good to go. It’s clear.’’
    She opened the door wide and stepped out into the hallway, Mark close on her heels. As they crossed through the kitchen, he snagged a bacon-wrapped scallop and popped it into his mouth. If he couldn’t satisfy one hunger, he’d settle for another. Seconds later, they exited the house and veered away from the lighting and into the shadows, where the heady scent of plumeria floated on the air.
    Annabelle glanced around. ‘‘Okay, this is good. Do it.’’
    Mark didn’t need to say ‘‘Do what?’’ They had worked together on too many operations. They both knew what this one required. Nevertheless, he gritted his teeth and flexed his fingers before asking, ‘‘You ready?’’
    ‘‘Yes.’’
    She lifted her chin. He made a fist, then hesitated. ‘‘I should take your gun. It’ll be suspicious if I