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Thorn rolled over and glanced at his alarm. Ten o’clock. He still had some time before he was supposed to be in the lobby to meet the persistent blonde, a date he was not looking forward to. He wished he’d never extended the invitation.

What was he going to talk with this woman about? Schematics? How to build a weapon out of paperclips and rubber bands? Not something most women found interesting. Ava rolled her beautiful blue eyes every time he brought up a subject even remotely close.

The thought of Ava brought the prior evening crashing back, a night where his emotions had run the gamut.

He’d watched Ava walk off with Grayson and knew the game was afoot, an event that only added to his anxiety. He’d never sweated so much in his life, and it hadn’t been caused by Louisiana’s hot and oppressive climate. He’d been worried about whether Ava would follow the game plan and play hard to get, or yet again do something foolish like leave with Grayson. Thorn knew if she had, things could have gotten dicey. Preparations for that scenario hadn’t been discussed. Thank God Ava had listened.

What really irked Thorn was that Grayson’s hand had moved from Ava’s back to her ass in record time. The guy had some balls, touching her intimately five minutes after introducing himself. No gentlemen for sure. Not that they hadn’t known that going in. Anyone who could kill so casually would have no qualms about feeling up a woman without her blessing.

Thorn smiled. He had been proud of the way Ava handled the situation. She’d immediately turned on Grayson, had even attempted to walk away until the guy stopped her.

As he watched, he’d wanted to punch the shit out of the jerk, but knew better. There was too much at stake. They had to get Grayson for Yancy. Their fellow agent deserved that much from his colleagues.

Thorn got out of bed and padded into the bathroom to take a shower.

Ava wouldn’t be up for hours so he had plenty of time to meet the blonde, lose her interest and make it back to the room before Ava even cracked an eye open.

He turned the water on in the shower, dropped his boxers and stepped inside, his mind on what his and Ava’s plans would be for later that day.

Grayson had gotten Ava’s room number before she’d said her goodbyes last night. Most of the day would be spent waiting to see if he’d call. Thorn had no doubt he would. Ava was just too tempting to forget. Hell, he wished he could get her out of his mind. The woman was in his blood, sent heat rushing through him whenever he thought of her.

Lust was only part of what he felt for Ava, though. The rest was what kept him up at night, dreaming of her being his and only his forever. Too bad she wasn’t the commitment type, and treated him like a brother, her Alex to his Mallory. But she wasn’t a sister figure to him, not even close. Just thinking about her made him hard.

Maybe he should proposition the blonde. Get lucky. His body became impossible to control when he thought of Ava’s silky legs, creamy, full breasts and delectable ass. The woman drove him to distraction.

He wanted her so bad he could almost feel her in his arms.

“Are you going to take forever?” Ava banged on the shower stall door.

Thorn jumped as if he’d been caught jacking off by his mother. What the hell was Ava doing up so early? She always slept in. How was he going to meet the blonde now?

“What are you doing in there, Thorn? Can I come in and watch?”

“You wish!” Thorn shouted, angry with himself for his wayward thoughts about Ava. “I’m taking a shower. What do you think I’m doing?”

She pressed against the door and sighed. “I don’t know. I’ve never watched a man shower before.”

“I find that hard to believe, Ava. Could you leave? I’m coming out.”

Seconds later, a white folded towel came flying over the top of the glass doors. Thorn just had time to catch the thing. “Are you going?” he asked as he began to dry his body.

“Why? I gave you a towel.” Her voice was teasing and only served to make him angrier.

He growled out loud.

She giggled and moved away from the door. The sweet, musical sound of her laughter squelched Thorn’s anger.

Ava loved playing games, enjoyed seeing how far she could push him. Maybe he should play a little game of his own. Show her what she was missing out on.

He smiled at the idea. The thought had merit. Ava wouldn’t expect him to walk out naked. Wouldn’t think he’d have the nerve.

What would she do? Stand there and stare, or run for the hills?

Somehow Thorn pictured her hightailing it out of the bathroom as fast as her bare feet could scamper.

Ava Stanton loved the chase as much as Grayson, but to actually follow through was a whole other story.

Thorn’s smile broadened. The more he thought about the plan, the more he liked it.

He could already see her blue eyes turn saucer-like, her jaw drop all the way to her chest as he walked past her to go to his room.

He’d bet big money she’d never come into the bathroom while he was showering again.

With that thought driving him, Thorn opened the door.

Ava stood leaning against the sink, looking at her feet. She obviously hadn’t heard him come out.

When she looked up, her eyes widened.

Her gaze moved over and down his body then stopped on a particular area of interest.

He walked up and handed her his towel, intentionally brushing against her arm. As he moved away, he heard her suck in a breath, a reaction that pleased him.

Yes indeed. Let her stew on that for a while.

“Oh, Ava,” he called from his bedroom, hoping to add fuel to the fire. “I have a lunch date with a lady friend, so you’ll have to entertain yourself for a few hours. I hope you can do that without getting into trouble.”