The Spy Who Loves Me by Julie Kenner Page A

eyes on her face, wondering if he’d just scared her off with his ramblings. If the twitch at the corner of her mouth was any indication, though, she was amused, not scared.
    She licked her lips, the simple gesture desperately erotic under the circumstances. “Relationship, huh?” She cocked an eyebrow. “Is that what we have?”
    He laughed. “Babe, a day ago you were my slightly shy, very reclusive neighbor. Today you’re seducing me under fluorescent lights. Honestly, I don’t know what’s between us.”
    â€œSex,” she said, her eyes twinkling.
    He couldn’t argue with that, but her bold, straightforward announcement surprised him. “Oh?”
    â€œAbsolutely. Pheromones, chemistry. Sex.” She flashed a decadent smile. “We’ve got sex, Finn,” she repeated, as if to clarify. “Or I hope we do.” She trailed a finger down the front of his shirt. “If we end up in a relationship, great. But I thought we’d start with the sex and then go from there.” She tilted her head slightly to the side, her eyes wide. “Assuming that’s okay with you…”
    â€œOh, yeah,” he said. “That’s perfectly all right with me.”
    Hardly the typical first date, but he was fast learning that Amber wasn’t the typical girl. Which was also perfectly okay with Finn. “So how do you feel about ditching?” he asked, his head bent close to her ear.
    From her smile, Finn could tell that Amber knew exactly what he meant. “I’m willing to play hooky if you are.” She cocked her head. “They won’t mind?”
    â€œAre you kidding? Millie would probably give me a stipend for the afternoon if I told her I was spending it with you.”
    â€œDavid and Jacey?”
    â€œNah, they’re saving money for the baby. We won’t get any cash from them.”
    Amber laughed. “I meant, will they care?”
    â€œNot so long as we deliver the steaks first. You game?”
    â€œI don’t know,” she said, the grin tugging at her mouth suggesting a different answer. “What do you have in mind?”
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    Something wild. What Finn had in mind was something wild and wicked and completely satisfying. Something that would make him forget his job and the projects scattered over his kitchen table. Something that would take him away.
    He’d found that something in Amber, and now he wanted to make the moment perfect. For him, but especially for her. A mixture of sex and beauty and warmth and passion. And he knew just the place.
    Fortunately, traffic was light, so it only took an hour for them to get to Corona del Mar. Finn had discovered the vacant lot with the cliff-side spiral staircase leading down to the sea on one of his diving trips to Laguna Beach, and he hoped that the property hadn’t been sold or gated or otherwise closed off.
    â€œAre we lost?” she asked from the passenger seat.
    Finn shook his head. “Not yet.”
    She looked at him as if she didn’t quite believe him. “Well, will you at least tell me where we’re going?”
    â€œSorry, babe. I could tell you, but then I’d have to kill you. I guess you’ll just have to wait and see.”
    â€œHmmm.” She leaned back in the bucket seat, her hand resting on his thigh. “A man who takes control. I like that.”
    He turned, genuinely surprised. “Funny, you struck me as a woman who preferred to take charge.”
    â€œReally? Why’s that?”
    She seemed so earnest that he couldn’t help but laugh. “The way you came on to me in the grocery store leaps to mind.”
    â€œFair enough,” she said. “I’ll concede the point. I do like being in charge.” She lifted her hands up, her fingertips brushing the cloth roof as she arched her back, her sweater stretching tight against her breasts. “But sometimes it’s nice to let go and