Her Spy to Hold (Spy Games Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page A

that’s where all our tax dollars go—buying you people fancy spy equipment. Do those convert into a telephone too?”
    His proud grin was too cute for words. “Even better. These babies can be used as a blunt instrument. Since you work with weapons systems, you should be able to appreciate their versatility. No stealing the idea, though. I’m betting it’s patented.”
    She clutched the neck of her robe. “I’m going to sleep so much better knowing how well protected I am.”
    In fact, quite the opposite was true. She had reservations about letting him stay. While it would be nice to have another person in the house, this particular man wasn’t the best choice. He was easygoing, true enough. He seemed fun as well.
    He was also a whole lot of…man.
    Irina had earned one of her masters’ degrees and her PhD by the time she was twenty-one. That meant in high school and university, she’d been far too young to socialize after hours with her classmates. These days she couldn’t remember a conversation with any colleagues that didn’t include strings of code, or computer simulations involving hydrodynamic, radiation, and neutronic effects.
    Kale didn’t look at her the same way they did. She felt a bit like that smoked meat on rye sandwich. She was book smart and people stupid, and so out of her comfort zone right now, she was about to make a complete fool of herself. His being here was part of his job.
    Best not forget that .
    “So…it’s OK if I stay here, then?” he asked.
    “Make yourself at home.” She reached for the thermos and sandwiches and carried them to the table, then got him a plate and a coffee mug from the cupboard. “I’d stay up and keep you company,” she added, “but I have to go to work in the morning.”
    He picked up a sandwich and unwrapped it. “Understood. I’ll follow you to your office when you leave, then head back to the city and get some sleep. I’ll meet up with you again around five o’clock in the parking lot. Tomorrow’s Friday. You won’t be working late, will you?”
    The way he phrased the question made it sound as if only losers worked late at the end of the week.
    “No,” she said. “I have plans.”
    “Really? Anything good?”
    He looked so surprised it was insulting. She had a life.
    “I’m having dinner and drinks with a friend. I might spend the night.” The friend was a woman, but he didn’t need to know that.
    “You and your friend won’t even notice me,” he assured her. “I’ll have to stay in the car though. The black eye’s a little limiting in public. It draws too much attention.” He took a bite of the sandwich and chewed before swallowing. An expression of bliss lit up his face. “Man, this is good.”
    Her head was spinning again. She hadn’t really thought about what it would mean to be followed. The loss of privacy wasn’t an issue, but having him discover she didn’t have much of a private life to watch was going to be tough on the ego. “I don’t want to be any more of an inconvenience than necessary. If it’s easier for you, I can stay home.”
    “That would definitely be easier. But this isn’t about me. Carry on as usual.”
    With a man like Kale Martin following her around?
    “I’ll see you in the morning,” she said, and fled to her bedroom.
    She closed the door and leaned against it. Except for work and this latest development, her life was boring. Exceedingly so. Maybe he’d judge her for it, maybe not. Her suspicions leaned toward yes.
    How could he not?

Chapter Three

    The dinner date wasn’t a man. At least, not one who was close to her. If she’d had a significant other in her life, he’d be the one spending the night here with her to make sure she was safe.
    If Irina were his, he wouldn’t be leaving the job to another man. No way in hell.
    Kale prowled silently around her house, checking out her belongings, trying to understand what made her tick. For a scientist, she had a definite girly side. Her