Deadly Promises by Sherrilyn Kenyon, Dianna Love, Laura Griffin, Cindy Gerard Page B

night. Make that very early this morning.
    Then she’d told him he had to leave before daylight.
    Hadn’t taken a rocket scientist to figure out why. So no one saw him. CeCe rarely left her house before late morning.
    He sighed and hung his head. He should be used to that by now—having an attractive woman fawn all over him, share an intimate night, then shuffle him out the door before daylight like a dirty secret.
    Jeremy lifted a screwdriver and started removing a metal panel on the cooler. He should be thankful CeCe wanted to keep things casual between them, but he’d been angry since stalking home this morning and his mood hadn’t improved all day.
    Maintaining the playboy image at thirty was getting old.
    He’d thought CeCe was different, but she’d made clear what she wanted from him last night and this morning.
    Why should he be surprised? She probably wanted an everyday Joe with a regular job who kept regular hours, which Jeremy had never done.
    He’d never be a nine-to-fiver who could be expected to come home every night. Not when he left town on short notice to work undercover, and to make matters worse he couldn’t tell her what he did for the BAD Agency or when he’d be back. Impossible situation. Which was why he should accept whatever came his way and not complain.
    “Um, Jeremy, are you…”
    He snapped around at the softly spoken words and found CeCe close to him. He took in the whole gym with a sweeping glance, checking to see if anyone was paying attention to where they stood. He avoided getting caught alone anywhere in the gym with a woman for so many reasons, the main one being that it sent the wrong message to the string of females on the hunt that paraded through this environment daily.
    He dropped his screwdriver back into his toolbox and wiped his hands on the shop rag hooked to his belt.
    “Am I what?” He crossed his arms and stood there, waiting to see where this was going.
    “Busy tonight?” she said quietly.
    “Maybe.”
    She folded her arms and looked away.
    Jeremy hadn’t meant for his words to come out with a bite, but he was starting to figure out what last night was all about and didn’t like his assessment. CeCe had been jumpy when her brother showed up yesterday. Her brother had been flying out this morning and was probably the reason she’d kept her distance from Jeremy until now.
    CeCe told him during refreshments on her patio that she had three overprotective older brothers. He’d caught her point that someone she dated had to pass their approval.
    Her conclusion based on being shuffled off this morning? She thought he wouldn’t measure up.
    “Why do you want to know if I’m busy?” he pressed.
    CeCe lifted her head, hope shining bright in her eyes. “I thought I’d cook dinner… if you’d like to come over… tonight.” She’d pulled on a pair of black warm-up pants and a baggy gray sweatshirt that hung off one smooth shoulder. She fidgeted with the oversized sleeve. The wavy ponytail pulled high on her head flopped to one side.
    She’d refused to join him for lunch today when he’d called her earlier, but meeting after dark in her house was acceptable, huh?
    He had no self-control around her. If dinner went anything like what happened last night she’d be the main course.
    Dessert would be her in that twisted yoga position. In the middle of the bed or on the sofa or kitchen table.
    But where would that leave him tomorrow morning? Skulking away in the dark again?
    When he didn’t answer right away, she glanced around and fiddled with the cuff of her sleeve then lowered her voice. “I know you’re leaving town, but I thought we could have some fun… while you were here.”
    Well, that cleared up any confusion he had over where he stood with her. Just his luck the minute he convinced himself he was through playing loose with women that he’d meet one who wanted no strings. At least, not from him.
    He’d never stepped completely over the line from