Chapter 5: Jamie

Wednesday. Pool Hall, Washington, DC.

JAMIE WAS GOING TO hell on an express bus and there was no way to change his ticket.

Tabby had her long red locks twisted up using nothing more than a pen she'd taken out of her clutch. She rocked the simple black sheath dress, filling it out in all the right ways.

"Okay, red ball, corner pocket," she announced.

He eyed the shot. Easy enough.

Unlike most women he'd taught to play pool, Tabby was actually soaking up the lesson. The woman had a competitive streak a mile wide on top of being a wet dream come to life with those flirty smiles and adorable freckles.

What the hell was he doing?

Jamie squeezed his eyes shut and heard the crack of ball on ball.

There'd been a moment before leaving the fundraiser when he could have slipped her phone and been done with it. But then he'd gotten lost looking at her and the chance was gone.

"I did it," Tabby cheered.

Jamie pasted on his smile and closed in on his very tipsy competition. Yet another mark against him.He'd stopped drinking hours ago, his beers going untouched while she kept nursing a steady buzz.

She slipped her left arm around his waist and tipped her chin up. Over the course of the evening she'd lost the polished performance of a woman used to being in the public's eye until she was just herself. And damn if he didn't like her.

"Good shot." His gaze dipped to her glossy lips.

Tabby grinned up at him, her fingers pressing into his shoulder blade. If he kissed her right now, she wouldn't stop him. Which was why he held back. This whole set-up was a lie. He'd told her a false name, avoided direct questions about what he did for a living, why he was in DC. About the only truths he'd told her had been about his family.

She eased away from him, the moment to lock lips passing. "Okay, this next shot's so screwed."

He eyed the table. "I think you can do that."

"Maybe if I were sober." She chuckled.

"Let me help?" He placed his hand on her hip.

She wrinkled her nose at him. "You aren't supposed to help your competition."

"If I want you to have fun I'm going to show you how to win, then maybe someday I'll beat you fair and square."

Her gaze narrowed. "In your dreams."

He drew in a deep breath, her perfume tickling his nose, and wished that was a reality he could have beyond tonight.

What was worse?

Jamie was positive if he'd approached Tabby with the truth she'd help. That was the kind of person she was. In five minutes he'd ascertained her character and knew this whole staged thing was bullshit.

Tabby leaned the pool stick up against the table then flattened her hands on his chest. A bit of chalk smudged one strap of her dress and a few curls had come lose from her twist.

"I'm going to the bathroom real quick, then you can proceed to teach me how to beat your ass, okay?" Her grin was infectious, even if his insides were dying.

"I'll be right here."

She gestured to her clutch. "Watch that, please? There're no hooks in the bathroom and I'd rather not set it down anywhere."

Her simple request was a knife to his ribs.

God, he was an asshole.

Jamie pasted on a smile and nodded. "Sure."

Tabby gave him one last parting smile before turning and heading for the bathroom. He watched her, mesmerized by the sway of her hips, how she carried herself.

How was it a woman like that was single?

Jamie squeezed his eyes shut.

This had to stop. If he didn't act now, tonight was going somewhere it shouldn't. He was caught in her spell, and if he wanted to keep from hurting her, he had to yank the bandage off now.

He glanced at the women's restroom long enough to ensure Tabby was out of sight before snatching her clutch. According to the task force's tech guru he didn't need to unlock the phone or anything. Simply plugging the tiny drive into it would be enough to secure what they needed.

On the surface, this was wrong. He knew it. And yet, what factors didn't he know?

"Fuck."

Jamie turned and strode out onto the patio, breathing deep of the air. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the drive.

This was what his job was now. He had to do this. Even if it was wrong.