Love & Compromise (Agents in Love Book 3) Read online

  Some of the hostility left her face and she nodded. “You know, that’s a valid idea. Fear is a powerful motivator.”

  He couldn’t stop his eyes from widening slightly, although he was usually skilled at hiding his reactions. “You’re willing to say I’m right? I didn’t expect that.”

  She laughed, a small tinkling sound. “Oh, I didn’t say you were right,” she clarified. “I said it was a possibility. Don’t get ahead of yourself.”

  Nick stood, rounding the desk and shaking each of their hands in turn. “Kole, I’ll leave it to you to fill Jenessa in on the details. Carlie and I are gone to Hawaii for a week, so your dad’s in charge of this case ’til I get back.”

  When Nick left the room, Kole turned to Jenessa. She dropped her gaze from his, twirling a strand of hair between her fingers. He couldn’t tell if she was angry and didn’t want to deal with him, or if she was suddenly shy, knowing he was the supposed love of her life.

  A man could go insane trying to figure out what a woman was thinking. That was one of the reasons he’d avoided women after breaking up with Clarissa five years ago. It looked like life with Jenessa would be no less of a trial, even if she wasn’t a real girlfriend.

  Chapter 2

  Jenessa gazed out over the city as the plane circled the National Airport. “You have to look at this before we land.” She tapped Kole’s shoulder. The magazine he’d flipped through for the past two hours couldn’t possibly be that interesting.

  “I’ve seen it.” He turned another page without looking up. “For that matter, I thought you were based out of here. You must have seen it too.”

  “But it’s beautiful right now. The town’s covered in a fresh coat of snow.” She sighed and pressed her forehead against the window. “I never get tired of this view.”

  In the distance, the distinctive dome of the Capitol building was visible, bringing a proud lump to Jenessa’s throat, as always. Afternoon sunlight glinted off the sparkling cover of white over the ground everywhere she looked. It was a winter wonderland. She wondered if Kole would go see the Christmas lights with her one night while they were here. The holiday wasn’t far off, and she never tired of the decorations.

  Kole placed the magazine across his lap, drawing her attention from the window. “For one so concerned with beauty,” he said, “you sure don’t take a lot of care with your appearance.”

  Flabbergasted, Jenessa turned toward him, unsure if she should deck him or laugh. He was the height of rudeness. How she could get along with him until they solved the case, she didn’t know. Forget looking at decorations together. When they weren’t actively working, she would keep her distance.

  However, Nick had given her this assignment, and she wouldn’t let him down. Somehow, she would work with the jerk. After the fiasco with Dan, she was still trying to prove she could handle being a secret agent.

  Seemingly unaware of her stunned silence, Kole grabbed her under the chin, tilting her head so the overhead light fell across her eyes. “Not a trace of makeup and those hideous clothes.” He shook his head. “I hope you brought something suitable to wear when we meet my father.”

  Jenessa jerked her chin from his grasp, hiding her hurt by turning back to the window. She had seen pictures of Kole’s ex, and the woman was beautiful. Clarissa had dressed to the hilt—full makeup, expensive clothing, and dazzling jewelry. The woman’s look screamed high class and rich. Jenessa couldn’t be that type of girl, but she wondered if Kole had assumed she was after seeing her in the bridesmaid gown.

  Once she felt like she could speak again, she faced him. “These are the only types of clothes I own, and I only wear makeup for special occasions.”

  “That suit screams FBI agent. You seriously didn’t bring any dresses?”

  Jenessa balled her fist, the urge to hit Kole starting to overcome her good sense. “You didn’t tell me there was a dress code.” She leaned in close to his ear. “Besides,” she hissed, “I am an agent.”

  “And everyone will know that,” he said. “Incompetence.”

  She ground her teeth together. “You could always find someone else.”

  “No,” he said, tapping his fingers against the armrest, “I can’t. You’re pretty enough under that unwholesome desire you have to hide it with ugly clothes. Also, you can get information I can’t with your computer skills.”

  She was pretty enough, huh? What a sincere compliment. He was the biggest asshole she’d met in a long time. If he’d been a man at the bar trying to pick her up, she would have asked the bouncer to kick him out by now.

  His eyes narrowed as he studied her. “At least you dyed your hair a darker color last night like I asked, but we need to complete the makeover before anyone sees us together in the political world. Once I have you in a dress, no one will recognize you.”

  She sighed, knowing it was pointless to become upset. “I guess that’s a good thing. I’d hate for S.A.T.O. to figure it out and ruin the investigation.”

  Unexpectedly, Kole put his hand between her seat and the armrest, circling her hip with his fingers. Before she could react, he pulled away.

  “You’re about a size six. I have some clothes that’ll work. We’ll stop by my house first.”

  She was more like a size eight, but she wouldn’t tell him that. She was a six on a good day. How Kole knew clothing sizes, she had no idea. Maybe he was some sort of fashion guru and that was why he had such an aversion to her regular wardrobe. It offended his good taste. Heck, maybe he was gay and mad about being saddled with a woman as his love interest.

  Laughing at herself, she turned back to the window, deciding not to let his foul mood spoil her joy in the scenery. She didn’t get the vibe that he was into men, even though that would have made her feel better about him not finding her attractive.

  Then again, she had to wonder why he had women’s clothing at his house. He didn’t have to be gay to enjoy cross dressing. Perhaps that was the reason Kole avoided the political world. If word got out about him dressing in drag, it couldn’t be good for his dad or brother’s election chances.

  Kole paid the cab driver and turned to the house. Keeping the enormous home on Tracy Place had seemed like a waste after his breakup with Clarissa, especially since he rarely came to the city. His dad had urged him to keep the property for when he did visit.

  Not that there wasn’t plenty of room at the White House if he wanted to stay there while in Washington. Still, Kole avoided the spotlight whenever possible. Having his own place where the media whores wouldn’t hound him was preferable. His dad seemed to understand that instinctively without Kole telling him. The scandal of his prior breakup cropped up every time someone in the media industry caught him, and Kole would prefer to avoid talking about it.

  Unfortunately, Jenessa’s job was to pose as the same type of woman Clarissa had been. Tongues were sure to wag and news reporters would speculate about his past mistakes and failures—and the fact that history would repeat itself because Kole was clearly unlovable. That was what they’d said last time, making him out to be some sort of demon incapable of feeling after all was said and done.

  “This is where you live?” Jenessa bent down to grab her bag from the sidewalk. “It’s a little much for just one man.”

  “Yeah, it is.” He took the bag from her hand and marched up the stairs to the front door. Though he wouldn’t tell Jenessa, not wanting to risk her gloating over it, she was right about the snow. The gleaming white paint on the two-story home was a nice continuation of the beautiful snow-covered grounds. He only wished he could feel some pride in coming home instead of dread.

  Jenessa searched the yard, seeming confused.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked, peering around to see if he’d missed anything suspicious.

  She shrugged. “Just wondering where your secret service detail is. Shouldn’t they have met us at the airport to protect you?”

  Kole snorted, placing the key in the lock. “Lucky for me, adult children can re
fuse the protection. People already butt into my private business too much. I couldn’t stand being under a microscope every second of every day.”

  “I can understand that,” she said.

  At least the woman could be reasonable at times. He had half worried for a moment that she’d insist he get them protection. Kole was more than able to take care of himself. It seemed Jenessa was as well. A point in her favor of being an acceptable partner.

  After unlocking the door and entering the house, Kole quickly crossed to the security panel and turned off the alarm.

  Jenessa stopped in the middle of the marble floor, staring up the curving wooden staircase. “Holy crap! How much did this place cost?”

  Kole snorted. “Not an appropriate question.” He was pleased, however, that she seemed impressed. Jenessa’s open admiration of the house made him look at it with a less jaded eye.

  Sure, Clarissa had insisted on all the decorating, and it was too feminine for Kole’s taste, but there was no denying she’d had style. The ground floor had warm woods and white paint throughout. Just a touch of gold on the light fixtures and mirror frames added color. The front foyer opened onto the formal living room, beautifully furnished, but Kole never went in there.

  That was the room he confronted Clarissa in after learning the truth. The red wine she’d thrown in his face had left a stain on the white carpet.

  “The dresses are upstairs.” He brushed past Jenessa and climbed the curving steps, heading for the master bedroom. He steeled himself with a deep breath before opening the door.

  The housekeeping staff kept this room sparkling, just like the rest of the house. Clarissa’s large pink comforter dominated the four-post bed, and her vanity still had all her makeup laid out, although the staff apparently dusted frequently. There wasn’t anything to embarrass Kole by bringing Jenessa in here. His staff really deserved bonus checks. It had been too long since he did that, but they went above and beyond to serve him.

  “This is your bedroom?” A smile played about Jenessa’s lips. “Maybe I wasn’t wrong in my thinking.”

  “What thinking is that?” he snapped, irritable just being near Clarissa’s belongings again.

  Jenessa raked a hand through her unruly brown hair. “Never mind. Don’t worry about it. Are the clothes you want me to try in that big closet?”

  He set her suitcase near the bookshelf to the right of the doorway and crossed the room, opening the double doors to the walk-in. “Some of these might be out of fashion and old, but they were all only worn once.” Clarissa had been wasteful like that, and it took Kole so long to realize she was after money and power, not his love.

  Jenessa came up next to him and let out a low whistle. “That’s a lot of clothes. You wore each only once, huh? You take this cross dressing seriously.”

  “Wore them... cross dressing?” He whipped around to face her when the words penetrated his brain. “These aren’t my dresses, you idiot. They belonged to my ex.”

  Her brown eyes widened slightly, and Kole cursed himself. He sure knew how to treat a woman these days. He’d basically called her ugly on the plane, and now he called her stupid.

  “I have to admit, I wondered how you squeezed that ass into a size six.” She shrugged. “Guess I am an idiot.”

  Well, this is going nicely. “Look, I’m sorry.” He reached for her hand, but Jenessa yanked it from him as soon as their fingers touched. “Fair enough. I deserve that.”

  “You deserve worse than that,” she answered. “But I don’t want to bruise your pretty face right before the meeting with your father.”

  Kole laughed, startling himself. He didn’t laugh much these days. Jenessa was a surprise—her actions and her words. “Just find something that will work, please. I’ll wait in the hallway to zip you up.”

  Before she could argue, he left, shutting the door. He leaned against the lavender-tinged wallpaper and closed his eyes. This assignment would be a challenge, and Jenessa was a good deal feistier than the women he’d spent time with in the past. Normally they fawned over him, eager to do whatever he said. Then again, he’d learned the hard way that women acted that way to receive gifts and the fame that being associated with the Sharp family could bring. Jenessa didn’t seem like that type at all, which was a relief. It might be possible to work with her and not hate every second of it.

  Then again, with the way he’d been acting, she’d hate him before the day was out if she didn’t already. He really needed to think things over before blurting them. Hopefully her acting skills were as good as Clarissa’s had been and she could pretend to love him. Society needed to believe she was somewhat into him, at least until they caught whoever was taking out the board members.

  Jenessa bypassed the clear plastic bags covering colorful dresses after looking at the first one. Kole was right about the clothes being outdated. Fortunately, a large section of black dresses took up the back of the closet. Black was always in style. Now, to find one that was a large size six.

  After finding the most likely candidate, Jenessa pulled the dress on, pleased that the shoulder straps completely covered her bra. She did worry about the low neckline. Kole’s ex hadn’t been quite as fortunate in the bosom department, and Jenessa hoped she wouldn’t have a wardrobe malfunction.

  “Kole, you can come back in,” she called, pushing the zipper as far up as she could on her own.

  He entered the room and smiled. “That looks lovely on you.”

  Now he decided to compliment her? It wouldn’t work, since she knew what he really thought. Reminding herself that this was a job, she forced a return smile. “Thanks. Your ex had small boobs, though. I hope you can squeeze me in.”

  Kole’s mouth dropped open for a second, and then he laughed. At least she could shock him into laughter. Maybe he wouldn’t be as insufferable as she feared.

  “Let’s just get through tonight,” he said. “We can worry about the boob problem tomorrow and find some better-fitting dresses.”

  It took some tugging and yanking, but once Jenessa deflated all the air from her chest, Kole closed the zipper.

  “Just don’t breathe too deep. We don’t want you popping out.” He smiled and then walked into the closet. “I sure hope the shoes fit. The look will be spoiled if you wear those sensible, FBI high glossies.”

  “I happen to like my sensible shoes,” Jenessa said, clawing at her fading patience and holding tight. “Not everyone wants to be a beauty queen.”

  “True, I’m just not used to girls who don’t.” He knelt to the ground. “Here, give me your foot.”

  Feeling ridiculous, Jenessa extended it. “You’re aware I know how to put on shoes, right?”

  “This way is better. I can make sure they fit without you hurting your toes.” Kole slipped the black high heel over her toes, pulled the back of the shoe into place, and then rubbed his hand up her calf before letting it drop away.

  His light caress made her aware of the rough calluses on his hand, sending a tingle of excitement up her leg. Kole was more gruff and masculine than the men she usually hung out with, but it was a nice change—well, a nice change when he played the gentleman.

  According to everything Jenessa had read in the gossip rags, Kole disappeared from the public eye after his breakup five years before. Maybe he was such an ass at times because he’d been away from women too long. He was obviously trying hard to be friendly now.

  “The fit is fine,” she assured him, putting her foot back onto the carpet.

  Without a word, Kole stroked the top of her other foot until she lifted it. He slipped the shoe into place, once again giving her calf a light caress before he backed away and stood. “It’s good that you at least shave your legs,” he said, tipping her a wink. “You have potential after all.”

  Jenessa wrinkled her nose. “You were checking for smoothness when you touched me?” He really was a jerk. “Glad to know I pass inspection.”

  “You almost pass inspection.” He gestured to the vanity tabl
e behind him. “Do something about your hair and put on some makeup. You’re going to meet the President of the United States. No sense wasting a sexy dress if we don’t beautify the rest of the package. I’m going to clean up a bit too.”

  Jenessa bit back her angry retort as Kole left the room. It would be a serious challenge not to harm the man. One thing was certain, the next time he checked her for smooth legs, she’d kick him in the face.

  Chapter 3

  Kole pulled his car in front of the French restaurant on K Street. From the corner of his eye, he saw Jenessa reached for her door handle. “Stop,” he said. “You don’t open doors when you’re a sophisticated woman trying to capture the hearts of important men.”

  She took her hand off the handle, but snorted. “You think a lot of yourself, don’t you?”

  She’d been silent the entire drive over, not even commenting when he expressed approval at how pretty she looked. Granted, he did lament the lack of jewelry. That black dress would look better with a diamond necklace to accompany it, but Clarissa took the expensive diamonds when she left.

  He realized he’d been staring at Jenessa for several seconds, and she clearly expected a reply. “Come on, Nessa. I don’t mean to be rude. You have to play this part exactly right, or no one will believe it.” He set his hand lightly against hers, ignoring the valet worker who stood outside his door. “We’re trying to catch a killer, and we both have to play our parts or we might be the next victims.”

  She stared at him with her big, doe brown eyes, looking a touch vulnerable, which made her even prettier. “You think we’ll really be in danger? We aren’t members of the board.”

  “You’re a secret agent and used to work for the FBI. Surely you’ve been in danger before.”