OOPS! I'M A SECRET AGENT (Romance) (10 page)

‘I can climb. I’m rubbish at lots of things, but I can climb
like a spider.’

He frowned.

‘I can do this.’ I didn’t especially want to do this, but I
could.

‘Could you climb down to the ground?’

I peered out the window, feeling the snow touch my skin. The
wind blew through my hair. The building was old, the type that had
embellishments and broader ledges than some of the sleeker constructions they
built nowadays. There were enough footholds and bits to grip on to. I reckoned
I could climb down.

‘Yes.’

We didn’t hesitate a moment longer.

Alexavier picked up my bags and threw them down on to the
snow covered ground. The snow cushioned the sound of their fall. I took my coat
off and threw it down too. I couldn’t climb with it on.

With an acknowledging nod we climbed out of the window and
started to edge our way down to the next floor. The cold began to freeze my
fingers but the sandstone provided an ideal grip for climbing.

A few times we glanced at each other. We’d taken one hell of
a risk, but the odds were better than tackling whoever had hunted us down. When
I got back to the department in London I’d definitely take them up on their
self defence and martial arts instruction. But tonight, my climbing had come in
useful. Rupert never acknowledged my ability. When he trained at the gym, or
played at it, for he didn’t really do anything other than trundle a bit on the
treadmill and chat to his friends, I opted to train on the climbing wall. It
was a great facility and kept my hand in at something that seemed to come
naturally to me. My father had been a climber and I’d learned from him. It
wasn’t anything I planned as a career or main leisure interest, but I enjoyed
doing it. I especially liked the climbing wall because you were hooked up to
security ropes that saved you from harm while letting you train.

Anyway, we climbed down further and then Alexavier jumped
the last few feet, dropping safely on to the thick layer of snow. He held his
arms out and encouraged me to jump. So I did, and he caught me.

We gathered our things and started running.

I glanced back and saw two men watching us out of our
bedroom window. Were they going to attempt the climb we’d just made? I didn’t
think so.

Having a head start on them, we disappeared into the night,
and headed back to the department.

I had a couple of hours sleep on the
sofa in Alexavier’s office. I woke around six in the morning to a city that was
a total whiteout.

Alexavier was tapping away at the laptop. He didn’t look
tired, just determined to find out who the two men were, how they’d located us,
and keep updated on the situation with Montpelier.

I could hear a few people coming into the building as it
came to life.

The receptionist I’d met the previous day glanced into the
office, saw me lying on the sofa covered with my coat and Alexavier’s jacket,
gave a disapproving stare and then left us to get on with our business.

Alexavier gave me a long, unfathomable look. ‘About last
night...’

This was it. He’d made a mistake kissing me. It would never
happen again. The whole drama and excitement of the night, the adrenalin kicks,
were to blame for his lack of self control and mine.

Thankfully, I was wrong.

‘I’d like you to think carefully about whether or not you
want to become involved with me.’

I nodded. There was hope. Hmm?

How long did he want me to think it over? Ten seconds? Would
that suffice?

‘I will.’ I tried to sound thoughtful, as if the choice of
having a relationship with him was in any doubt.

A message came through on Alexavier’s phone. He read it and
smiled. ‘The traitor has admitted his guilt, so that part of the assignment is
complete. And Montpelier checked the security footage at the hotel you and I
stayed at to find out exactly what happened last night.’ He clicked on a
document on the laptop. ‘These are screenshots of the men he found. We ran a
check on them through the system and they’re well paid thugs hired by the
traitor. Now that he’s out of the game, so are they.’

‘Does that mean the assignment is over?’

‘For you, yes. Things were cleaned up quicker than we
thought which is obviously great. You’ll be sent back to London later today.’

‘Do I have to go?’ The thought of suddenly leaving Glasgow again jarred me. ‘I somehow thought I’d be here a bit longer. I wanted to at least
have a proper look around the city before I had to go home to London. I may not
be back in Glasgow for years.’

He nodded thoughtfully. ‘I understand, but you will be back
in Glasgow within the next few months. Montpelier intends writing a glowing
report and requesting that you are utilised here on a regular basis. Two or
three trips a year.’

‘That sounds great.’ It did. Being back in Glasgow was
wonderful. I didn’t think I’d leave London. I had my house and was settled
there, but assignments to Glasgow would give me the chance to get to know the
city again. And who knows what the future would bring.

I said my goodbyes to Montpelier that afternoon, and he said that he was looking forward to working with me
again.

A taxi drove me to the airport. Alexavier came with me, but
we were booked on separate flights. While we drove there I asked him whether
he’d ever dated any other women at the department.

‘Once, a long time ago, when I’d first joined the department
straight from university,’ he said.

‘What happened?’

‘She decided after working for the department for two years
that she wanted to leave. The job wasn’t for her — and neither was I.’

We arrived at the airport and checked in.

He couldn’t tell me where he was going. It was top secret.

We went our separate ways at the airport. ‘I’ll see you when
I get back to London,’ he said.

‘Be careful.’

He smiled and kissed me, and then my flight was called. I
walked away from him wondering if I’d ever see him again.

The plane flew over Glasgow heading for London, and I gazed
down at the snow covered city. It looked quite beautiful. I would miss it.

I missed Alexavier more than I
thought I would. I threw myself into my work, learning everything I could. I
even began the self defence and martial arts training. I wasn’t very adept at
it, but they assured me I’d learn.

It had rained in London on the run–up to Christmas but a few
days before Christmas it snowed. It started to really feel festive in the city.
I’d put my tree and decorations up, done my Christmas shopping, and hadn’t
heard any news about Alexavier. Not a word. This worried me, but I tried to
think that he’d be okay, and pushed ahead with my plans to enjoy Christmas.

The shops in London were wonderful, and I still kept fit by
shopping for hours, taking in the atmosphere of the festive season. I loved all
the fairy lights and Christmas songs that played in the shops and reminded me
of Christmases past.

I hadn’t heard a peep from Rupert. I was definitely off his
Christmas list, and he was off mine. I didn’t miss him, but the house was quiet
living all by myself. I supposed I’d get used to it, and I enjoyed the luxury
of having full control over the television remote, sleeping in the middle of
the double bed, and eating chocolate for breakfast if I wanted to. And never
again would I have to hide any clothes bargains I’d bought. I could hang them
at the front of the wardrobe. So stuff Rupert!

Despite all my bravado about going it alone, and learning
how to be a better secret agent, I did get a bit teary on Christmas Eve. I’d
been curled up by the fire watching a film, one of those favourites that they
show every December, and it made me feel sorry that I wasn’t part of a family
or part of a couple at this time of year.

The night in the hotel in Glasgow with Alexavier seemed so
long ago even though it wasn’t. I thought about what had happened. The kissing
rather than climbing out the window.

In the back of my mind I was worried about him. No word. No
word at all.

I padded through to the kitchen in my fluffy Santa slippers
that I’d succumbed to in a sale, and put the kettle on for a cuppa and some
toasted cheese. The cheese had browned nicely when I heard a car pull up
outside the house. The headlamps shone through the window.

I turned the grill off and peered out and saw a car parked.
Then I saw the tall figure of Alexavier dressed in a dark coat get out and walk
up the path. He had some parcels with him and a couple of shopping bags. He’d
been shopping?

I ran to the door to welcome him, relieved more than
anything that he was back safe.

‘Whoa!’ he said as I threw a hug around him. Whatever
wonderful location he’d been to, it must have been hot because he had a golden
tan.

He kicked the snow off his shoes and stepped inside.
‘Something smells delicious.’

‘I’ve made toasted cheese,’ I said, feeling that cheese on
toast sounded rather tame.

‘I haven’t had that in ages.’ He sounded enthusiastic.

‘I’ll get the tea then. Make yourself at home.’

I rustled up the tea and plenty of toasted cheese and
carried it through on a tray to the lounge. I’d add two slices of Christmas
cake.

He’d taken his coat and shoes off and was getting a heat by
the fire. I put the tray down on the coffee table.

‘I love a real fire.’ He stretched his long legs out in
front of it.

‘It was one of the reasons I bought this house. That, and
the garden. It’s got a great garden.’

He appeared to be quite at home, though I’d always felt that
the house did have a homely atmosphere.

He helped himself to a slice of toasted cheese.

‘Can you tell me where you’ve been? Or what you’ve been up
to?’ I said.

He looked exceptionally fit. His dark jumper emphasised his
broad shoulders and trim waist. The cheese on toast or the slice of Christmas
cake wouldn’t make a dent. Alexavier was stunning.

He finished eating a mouthful of toast, took a sip of his
tea and said, ‘I could tell you...but then I’d have to...’

He leaned over and gazed lovingly into my eyes.

‘...kiss you.’

And then he did. He kissed me again and again, and I knew
that my wish to enjoy Christmas with Alexavier, snuggled up together, just the
two of us, had come true.

Jenny the Jinx had gone. I was now Neve the secret agent,
and dating Alexavier.

End

About De-ann Black

De-ann Black is a bestselling
author, scriptwriter and former newspaper journalist. Traditionally published
for over 15 years.

She has over 40 books published, for adults (romance, crime
thrillers, espionage/suspense novels) and children (non-fiction rocket science
books, children's fiction and picture books).

Her books include Special Forces and crime thriller books -
Electric Shadows, The Strife of Riley, Guile, and Moth to the Flame. Romantic
comedies include - The Bitch-Proof Suit, The Bitch-Proof Bride, The Bitch-Proof
Romance, The Cure For Love, The Tea Dress Shop At Christmas, Oops! I'm the
Paparazzi, Oops! I'm Up To Mischief, Oops! I'm A Secret Agent, Oops! I'm A
Hollywood Agent, Shopping For Men At Christmas and Shopping For Men.

De-ann's latest children's fiction books are: Secondhand
Spooks - December 32nd, Faeriefied, and School for Aliens.

She previously worked as a full-time newspaper journalist
for several years. She had her own weekly columns in the press. This included
being a motoring correspondent where she got to test drive cars every week for
the press for three years.

She is also a professional artist and illustrator. And
photographer. Fabric design, and fashion, are part of her work.

Additionally, De-ann has always been interested in fitness,
and was a fitness and bodybuilding champion, 100 metre runner and mountaineer.
As a former N.A.B.B.A. Miss Scotland, she had a weekly fitness show on the
radio that ran for over three years.