Tess walked over to the big square window that looked out over the town. "I feel like I should feel terrible for even thinking it, but I don't." She took a deep breath and then said, "I'll help you if you truly need my help with the language. At least for now. Now that I know some of the truth, I won't ever be able to un-know. So even if I moved, I'd be wondering if the world was going to end."
His lips twitched. "So you're joining with us because you're nosey?"
"I'm curious," she corrected. "And I'm looking for a change. I figure this is about as much change as a person can get without dying or switching sexes."
She sat on the edge of the club chair, and then stood back up again. What had she been thinking to agree to meet with him in her room? She hadn't thought about anything but stripping him naked since the moment they'd walked through the door. Maybe that was what her subconscious had been planning all along. She'd never actually seduced anyone before. Maybe it was high time she did.
"You're worried about something," he said. "What is it?"
"You said I could be of use because I speak and read the dialect of Russian you need. I want to make sure there's no chance of anyone tracing anything I do for you back to my grandmother. She told me today she was glad to leave that life behind her. She made a fresh start when she came to America. Reading between the lines during our conversation today, I think my grandfather brought more of the old country with him than she'd have liked, but he's been dead since I was a baby and she said she finally had peace and a life she enjoys living. I don't want to change any of that for her. And I don't want Eve thinking she's some kind of connection or a useful tool. She's an old lady, and she can be a mean one when she wants to be. I'd put my money on her over Eve Winter any day."
"There's always an element of risk," he said. "Nothing is fail proof. Our real identities were scrapped once we joined the program, and if anyone bothered to look closer at the Last Stop Funeral Home and all of its employees, they'd see exactly what we want them to see. Eve and The Directors spent years building a very careful operation. But all it takes is a breach in our systems. We're protected from radar seeing our equipment or the underground bunker. But glitches happen. It's why we have plans B, C, and D.
"And even if someone does take notice of us here, there's no reason for them to think you're involved. You were here long before we set up shop. So there's no reason to think your family or friends might be in danger. But if it makes you feel better, we can put some added surveillance around your grandmother's apartment."
"It would make me feel better," she said. "Do I get government health benefits? Because that stuff is ridiculously good, and I'd like to actually be able to afford to go to the doctor when I'm sick."
His eyes were sparkling with laughter. "Yeah, good luck with that. You're basically an off-the-books contract worker until it's determined your services are no longer needed. You know what we are and what we do, but you're not exactly privy to classified information."
She pouted a little at that bit of news. "Well, that sucks."
"It could be worse," he said.
"How's that?"
"Eve could've ordered us to kill you and hide your body."
"I don't think I like Eve very much."
He laughed full out at that, and she felt her insides heat at the sound. It was rare he laughed, and she guessed considering what he did for a living he hadn't had very much reason to laugh. But damn, was it a sexy sight.
She muscled up some courage and moved to stand directly in front of him, and then she took a deep breath and prayed the words she'd been wanting to say all morning came out clearly. She opened her mouth and nothing came out. And then she tried again, and she could feel the heat rushing to her cheeks.
"What is it?" he finally asked, curious.
"I want to seduce you."
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
All the blood in Deacon's head pooled directly into his lap. His eyes blurred for a second and he shook his head to reorient himself.
"Can you say that again?" he asked, wanting to make sure he heard right.
"No," she said. "I don't think I can."
"You've really got to stop telling me no."
She'd consumed his thoughts for the last three days. He'd been drunk with the taste of her on his lips, and all he could think about was having her again.
"I figure you heard me right the first time," she said, sounding angry about it now.