Love & Deception (Agents in Love - Book 1) (3 page)

Nick’s lip curled on one side. “Don’t be so
sure of that. I’ve seen his type.” He shook his head. “It doesn’t
matter. I’ll have you doing the best defenses in no time. He won’t
touch you again.”

Old instincts died hard. Carlie had learned
to be suspicious of anyone who expressed an interest in her. “Why
do you care so much?”

“Because...” Now it was his turn to look
away, and Carlie thought he wouldn’t answer. He pressed his lips
together before speaking again, “Because I’ve wanted to talk to you
since I first saw you.”

“Right. Because you need a dedicated
training partner.”

He shook his head. “Because I’ve been hoping
you’d let me take you to dinner.”

“Me?” She sucked in a shocked breath. “But
what about Shelley or—”

“Excuse us. You’re blocking the door,” a
cranky voice said.

Carlie turned to see the elderly couple
standing behind her. The man had a scowl on his face. “Is
everything okay? Was something wrong with your cupcake?”

“Yes,” he huffed. “Edith ate most of it and
the waitress said they were all gone and couldn’t get me another
one.”

Edith grinned and took his hand in hers.
“Don’t worry, Henry. I told you we’d come back next week.”

Struggling not to laugh and frustrate Henry
further, Carlie stepped out of their way so they could leave the
shop. “I’m so happy you’ll be back. We’re closed tomorrow, but I’ll
have more cupcakes Monday.”

“We’ll be early so I get one,” Henry
promised. “This woman thinks if she eats off my plate, the calories
don’t count against her diet.”

“Well then,” Carlie said, unable to contain
her laugh, “Monday you’ll have to order two.”

Nick opened the door for the pair and they
ambled out of the shop hand in hand, seeming happy to be together.
Carlie had imagined her life that way with Ryan; they’d grow old
together, irritating each other while being deliriously happy.
Instead, he’d died after only three years of marriage.

It seemed something always triggered
memories of her old life, and Carlie wondered if a day would ever
go by where she didn’t think about Ryan. Things might not have been
perfect, but they’d been working on it. She rubbed her eyes,
suddenly feeling tired.

“Something wrong?”

Looking at Nick, she sighed. It would have
been nice, but dates with handsome strangers weren’t for her. “I
appreciate the offer for dinner, but I really think you’d have a
better time with someone else. Shelley told me earlier she didn’t
have a date tonight. You should ask her.”

His brow furrowed. “You don’t want to go?
Shelley said you weren’t seeing anyone, and I hoped you’d give me a
chance.” He gave her his piercing stare again. “You seem different
than the normal run of women I date. I want to know you
better.”

Handsome strangers are dangerous to your
health, woman. Don’t be swayed by those eyes.

“I don’t know what makes you think I’m
different than anyone else. I’m just a regular person.”

“Who’s fighting hard to get her black belt
in karate and runs her own business.” He took a step closer to her
and the subtle scent of his musky cologne wafted through the air.
“You’re intriguing, Carlie Hollis. Have dinner with me. If we don’t
have anything to talk about or don’t get along, we can just be
sparring partners with no harm done. I promise. There’s no pressure
for anything more. You have to eat anyway, right?”

Before she could answer, the buzzer sounded
at the door again as it opened and a man entered. He saw Carlie and
flashed teeth that seemed extra white in contrast with his dusky
skin. Brushing his black hair from his eyes, he nodded her
direction. “Anything for me to pick up today?”

Not sure whether she welcomed his
interruption, Carlie nodded and waved him over. “First, come meet
my new friend from karate class. Nick Kendall, meet Muhammad Khan.”
The men shook hands. “Muhammad runs a soup kitchen down on
thirty-second street, Compassion For All.”

“That’s admirable,” Nick said. “I’ll have to
come check it out some time.”

“We can always use extra help handing out
food,” Muhammad told him. “And any amount of money is welcome, if
you have it to spare.”

Carlie was always surprised the way Muhammad
had no problems asking for what he needed. Then again, he’d built
Compassion For All mostly on charitable contributions. He was used
to asking.

Nick nodded, seeming unfazed by Muhammad’s
forwardness. “I’m more of a contributor than a hand’s on guy. If
Carlie thinks what you’re doing is worthwhile, I’ll think strongly
about writing a check.”

“Every little bit helps.” Muhammad put his
arm around Carlie’s shoulder and squeezed her to his side. “Things
have been a lot easier since this wonderful lady moved to town. She
donates a lot of food and even bakes for us sometimes.”

Nick’s mouth firmed into a thin line and
some of the warmth melted from him. “So you guys are close, huh?”
Although he directed the words at Muhammad, he glanced at the space
between Muhammad’s and her body—or rather, lack of space.

Suddenly uncomfortable with Nick’s scrutiny,
Carlie ducked from under Muhammad’s arm. “Why don’t we grab the
food? I don’t have much bread left, but there’s a pot of soup that
needs to be eaten by Monday.”

Without waiting for a reply, Carlie started
toward the kitchen. She didn’t know what to make of Nick’s
reaction. He seemed almost jealous of Muhammad touching her, but
that was crazy. She had to be reading him wrong. Why would Nick
care? They’d barely met each other, and she hadn’t even agreed to
go out with him.

Though if Muhammad hadn’t walked in, she was
sure she would have. It was a nice dream, for a few seconds. By the
time she finished packing the food, she was sure Nick would have
come to his senses and asked Shelley out. He must even now be
wondering what possessed him to ask her.

Muhammad followed her into the kitchen. “I
don’t think your new boyfriend likes me.”

“He’s not my boyfriend.” She grabbed a
plastic tub from the cupboard above the sink and set it on the
countertop. “I think the soup is cool enough to pour in, but I’ll
let you do it. It’s pretty heavy.”

While Muhammad busied himself with the soup
pot, Carlie bagged the small amount of leftover bread. Even though
Shelley didn’t understand the need Carlie had to help Muhammad, it
made her happy to know she was making a difference in other’s
lives.

“One of my favorite trips was when I
traveled with my parents to Africa.” She twisted the bag closed and
secured it with a plastic clip. “It was their mission to distribute
mosquito nets to fight malaria and I played with the children
there.”

“And where are your parents now?”

Carlie jumped, startled. She couldn’t
believe she’d just told some of her past to Muhammad. It wouldn’t
do for anyone around here to learn enough information to lead to
her real identity. Not that she expected Muhammad to betray her to
anyone, but he might talk to someone without realizing it could
hurt her.

“Forget I said anything.” She shook her
head. “I sometimes feel the need to justify why I enjoy helping
your charity. Certain people don’t understand.”

Muhammad rummaged in the bottom drawer to
the right of the sink, long familiar with where Carlie kept things
after so many months working together. He pulled out the lid for
the tub of soup and snapped it into place. “You do realize
Shelley’s an employee, right? She has no say in what you do with
the leftovers.”

“She’s my friend.” Carlie shrugged. “But
you’re right, she doesn’t understand.”

“I’m glad you don’t let that stop you. A lot
of people are benefiting from your kindness.” Muhammad picked up
the soup and headed for the doorway, and Carlie followed behind
with the bread.

They stepped into the dining room. Although
she expected Nick to be gone, he sat in the booth nearest the exit,
watching her. Shelley stood in the corner, flirting with her
adventure guys, and the rest of the customers had cleared out. Nick
jumped up to open the door, but didn’t follow them out.

After they put the food in Muhammad’s truck,
he gave her a quick hug. “You’re a good person, Carlie. I
appreciate everything you do to help me.” He chuckled and stepped
away from her, nodding toward the door of Carlie’s Creations. “But
your boyfriend just saw that hug, and he’s really going to hate me
now.”

“He’s not my—”

“Then he wants to be.” He hopped into the
driver’s seat and started the engine, winking before he drove
away.

Carlie turned to the shop. Nick stared at
her through the glass doorway. She hurried back to the building,
shivering as the wind cut through her cotton t-shirt, and Nick held
the door again.

“Shelley said you need about an hour to
close up shop,” he said without preamble. “I’ll be back to pick you
up then. Do you like Chinese food? There’s a new place over on Mill
Plain I want to try.”

But I didn’t say yes.

That was a weak excuse. She wanted to say
yes, even though she knew better.

Shelley picked that moment to approach them.
“I couldn’t help but overhear, Nick. Better give her an hour and a
half.” Her friend bumped Carlie’s hip with her own and leaned to
whisper in her ear, “I’ll help you get ready. You’re going to wow
him!”

“Okay, fine.” Carlie was obviously
outnumbered. “I'd love to have dinner. See you at
seven-thirty.”

***

Nick didn’t bother to hide his victorious
grin while leaving Carlie’s Creations. He’d been in Sayle,
Washington a month, and from the second he stepped foot in town,
his objective was to get Carlie on a date. As much as Shelley
irritated him yesterday, she’d certainly changed her tune and
become helpful tonight.

What he’d observed about Carlie still rang
true. She didn’t trust very easily. For a minute there, he was sure
she wanted to refuse dinner. With Shelley backing him up, Carlie
hadn’t stood a chance. Her support definitely gave him an
advantage.

He hopped into his red Porsche, started it
up, and pulled onto the road. Although disappointing, he wouldn’t
be able to impress Carlie by driving around with the top down. He
pictured how she’d look with her hair blowing back, a smile on her
face, as they cruised around. However, it was November and cold. No
way he could take her out for a spin like that. Carlie didn’t
strike him as the kind of woman impressed with fancy cars
anyway.

He wished he knew what did impress her.
Hopefully dinner was a good start.

Turning left at the light, Nick headed for
his hotel. If he ended up staying here very long, he’d have to
think about renting an apartment. Unless, of course, he found
himself staying at a certain blonde’s house.

But those were thoughts for the future.
Tonight, he wanted to get to know her better and convince her to
agree to a second date.

“Open your eye wider,” Shelley ordered.

Carlie did her best not to flinch away from
the mascara brush as Shelley did her magic. Never one to wear much
makeup, Carlie feared she would look like a clown. Shelley refused
to let her peek into a mirror until she finished.

“You know, Nick’s been asking questions
about you for the past two weeks. Whether you were single, that
sort of stuff,” Shelley said, the stiff little brush coming within
centimeters of Carlie’s eyeball. “I wondered how long it’d take him
to get his courage up and ask you out.”

“Why didn’t you say anything?” If Carlie had
known Nick was interested, she might have taken a little more care
with how she looked. Scratch that concern—more importantly, she
wouldn’t have been forced to date Stephen if she had the confidence
to ask Nick for help.

Shelley shrugged and put the mascara wand
back in its bottle, then grabbed a tube of red lipstick from the
backpack she brought in from her car. “I didn’t want to get your
hopes up, in case things didn’t work out.”

Which translated to, she thought she could
interest Nick in herself instead. After all, Carlie hadn’t missed
the way she shamelessly flirted with him during class.

Carlie still floated on a cloud of disbelief
that he’d rather have dinner with her than Shelley. However, if he
showed up in the next fifteen minutes to pick her up, she’d no
longer be able to deny it.

“I’m nervous,” she admitted, watching
Shelley uncap the lipstick. “I haven’t dated much the last six
years.” She didn’t count her relationship two years ago. That had
been a purely physical attraction to someone she considered a
friend. It hadn’t involved much actual dating.

“Pout your lips.” Once she complied with the
demand, Shelley applied the sticky color. “You don’t talk much
about your past. You had a serious relationship six years ago? Did
it end badly?”

Even though Carlie trusted Shelley, she kept
her private life a closely guarded secret from her for the same
reason she didn’t tell Muhammad about her parents. Shelley couldn’t
reveal what she didn’t know.

“In a way,” she said awkwardly, struggling
to keep her lips stiff. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

Procuring a tissue from somewhere in her
bag, Shelley placed it against Carlie’s mouth. “Blot.”

Carlie obediently pressed her lips into the
tissue while Shelley stood with a hairbrush in hand. She teased
Carlie’s hair and sprayed it with hairspray before brushing it down
again. Carlie wondered how many beauty supplies the woman kept on
hand at any given time.

“If you haven’t dated in a while, I could
give you a few pointers.”

Carlie grunted noncommittally, unsure she
could ever follow advice Shelley gave.
She’s way
too...adventuresome.

Her grunt must have passed for assent,
because Shelley continued, “First off, if you like him, don’t let
the night end without getting him to ask you on a second date.”