Read Online Shadow Soldier by Dana Marton - Free Book Online Page B

a few minutes ago.
    She looked toward the source of the noise. The bathroom door was open—probably so Alex could keep an eye on things while he showered. And he was definitely showering. She could see him through the clear glass.
    Oh, my.
    Standing with his back to her, he bent to shut off the tap. She had trouble breathing. He straightened and shook the water out of his hair, then pushed the door open.
    The dim light of dawn showed enough to be overwhelmed by the outlines of well-muscled limbs, the curve of his buttocks as he turned, the width of his shoulders. He reached for the towel and looked right at her.
    She felt powerless to do anything but stare, her mouth so dry it hurt to swallow.
    He toweled the water off his body with unhurried movements, got dressed in the clothes he’d left on the back of the toilet, then went over to the sink for a shave. She looked away finally, then with full muscle control regained, threw herself into activity. She had the bed made up by the time he finished.
    â€œI…you…could have closed the door,” she managed to say when he walked out into the living room, then felt stupid as soon as the words left her mouth.
    His gaze bore into hers and held. “You could have turned around.”
    Nicola flushed. Touché.
    She yanked the towel off the finch cage, grasping for those last fleeting shreds of her dignity, and welcomed the instant bickering that filled the silence.
    â€œThose two hate each other or what?”
    â€œPretty much. They fight over the nest.”
    â€œThey have two.”
    â€œI know. They both want the same one.”
    â€œCaptivity can bring out the weird in anyone.”
    Tell me about it. She tapped the cage as Tweedle Dum pulled a puff of feathers from Tweedle Dee. They quieted at the noise, but she knew the peace would be temporary.
    Alex picked a can from the counter and began to open it. Even under the long-sleeved black shirt, she could make out the play of muscles on his back.
    She needed to think about something else. “Chili for breakfast?”
    The birds kicked off a new argument.
    â€œProbably better than any of the MREs.” He seemed focused on the can opener.
    Good. They were on a whole new track now, the shower incident forgotten. By him anyhow. It would take her more than one lifetime. “When are we leaving for Washington?”
    â€œAs soon as we get the call.” He dumped the chili into a pot and turned on the stove. “You should get some more sleep.”
    â€œI’m fine. I can sleep in the car.”
    He nodded as he stirred. “You can’t go outside for your Tai Chi. You’ll have to make do in here.”
    Oh, Lord, had he watched her every morning? She’d practiced religiously since Mei, her best friend in China, had taught her years ago. “I think I’ll skip.” Tai Chi was about relaxation as much as movement. Relaxing. Ha!
    She’d seen him naked.
    She doubted she would be able to relax by the time she was old enough to be a grandmother.
    Get a grip. She couldn’t think about Alex’s naked body. She had to focus on staying alive. She had to find out as much as she could about her situation.
    â€œIs Spike on your team?”
    â€œYeah. Kind of.”
    â€œI suppose I would have expected more activity after a terrorist attack.” She hadn’t even had to file a police report. That seemed odd. Wasn’t there some kind of protocol to follow when someone almost got shot into mosquito netting?
    â€œThere’s more going on than you know. Right now the FBI is doing everything to find the guy.”
    â€œAre you FBI?” She fiddled with her necklace.
    â€œSomething like that.”
    Another meaningless answer, when she’d thought she was finally getting somewhere.
    â€œYou’re not going to tell me, are you?” She triedto temper her frustration, but being kept in the dark was almost as bad as being in danger.
    If she