Double Deuce

Free spirited Ian Coulter works hard and plays harder. An ex-cop turned private investigator, Ian enjoys meeting new men and making new friends. A night out ends up with one man on the floor at his feet, and another asking for his help. Big trouble's brewing in little Amethyst Cove, and Ian's a step behind. He's quick to see Rick Mohr is the man holding the flare at the end of a long, dark tunnel.

Undercover agent Rick Mohr walks a fine line, serving two masters. Insider trading, counterfeit printing plates, and a blown-up yacht have Rick stuck between two Federal agencies, one of which has been compromised. Rick has to discover the mole before it's too late. When Ian Coulter walks into his life, Rick grabs the chance to salvage his assignment with both hands.

It doesn't take Ian and Rick long to discover joining forces, and sharing resources, has definite perks - ones not found in any departmental manual.

* * * * *

"And yet, here you sit across from me."

"For one thing, this is the first time I've actually gotten a look at you. No one ever said you were so…" He paused and blinked at me.

I helped him out. "Hot?"

Rick grinned. "The very word I was searching for."

"You're full of it, Rick Mohr. What do you really want?"

"I've heard you like to have fun—safe fun. Was I misinformed?"

And they called me a slut. Rick had me beat for moving in on a guy fast. "I love to have 'fun—safe fun,' but I don't know you. I haven't seen you around at any of the local haunts."

"Well, you know how it is. Boy meets boy. Boy falls in love. Boy gets dumped after eleven years and has to work hard to get back into the swing of things."

I tapped the wide silver band he wore on his left ring finger. "Hmm. I've heard of that. Some weird word that starts with an 'R.'"

"Relationship?"

I snapped my fingers. "That's the one! Can't say as I have any first-hand experience with it."

Rick sighed. "I actually liked it, although I thought it would have a longer shelf-life."

I sipped the lemony drink I'd had such a craving for. That craving, and another stronger one, was about to land me in trouble, I just knew it.

"I'll tell you something, Rick. I don't like men who cheat on their partners."

His level gaze met mine. "I don't have a partner. I have an ex-partner."

"Why not take off the ring?"

"Truth? I'm not quite ready to have guys hitting on me. Maybe you can help me get over the hump."

Years of cruising men, of reading their body language and looking into lots of pretty eyes gave me a good read on him. He wasn't being honest with me about something, but it had nothing to do with the ring, the ex-partner, or the fact he liked to have control of the situation. The little voice inside, the one that never steered me wrong when it was time to cut and run, was silent, and I wanted to learn more about him.