Ian's Ultimate Gamble - Brenda Jackson [41]
"In other words you get horny?" he asked, seemingly intrigued by her explanation. "No. Ian. Men get horny. Women become hormonally challenged." "Oh, I see."
Brooke figured that he did. She couldn't believe the two of them were sitting here having such a conversation while sharing a meal when just a few days ago there had been more bitterness between them than she cared to think about. And yet just as Ian had admitted on the golf course, they were no closer to concluding what they'd once shared than before.
"So what have you been doing for the past four years?" he asked casually, taking another sip of his drink.
Brooke raised a brow. She wasn't stupid. He was really getting around to asking what she hadn't been doing. A woman's body didn't lie, and Ian knew hers better than any man. He was sure after making love to her the night before he had a good idea what she hadn't been doing. "Mainly working. I've had a couple of tough assignments."
Ian nodded. He'd never liked the fact that she was putting her life on the line with every assignment. But he'd had to accept what she did for a living. After all, she had been a deputy when he'd met her. Besides, he had seen her in action a couple of times. She knew how to kick butt when she had to.
"Do you know how much longer you're going to be an agent?" he asked. When they'd talked about marriage, she'd said she would remain an agent until they decided to start a family.
She shrugged. "I'm not sure. Lately I've been thinking that I'm getting too old for field work. I've made my five-year mark, and the undercover operations are beginning to take their toll. I want to get out before I suffer a case of burnout like Dare did."
Ian was about to open his mouth to say something when his cell phone rang. "Excuse me," he said, standing and pulling it from the snap on his belt. "Yes?"
Moments later, after ending the call, he was looking at her apologetically. "Sorry, that was my casino manager. There's a matter that needs my immediate attention."
"I understand."
"We're still on for a swim later? At my place'?"
She smiled. "Yes."
"I'll even feed you again."
She chuckled. "It's hard to resist an invitation like that."
"I was hoping that it would be. Let's say around five. Is that okay'?"
She nodded. "That's perfect."
"Good." He then leaned over and whispered in her ear. "And bring an overnight bag so I can help you with that hormonal thing," he said and quickly walked away.
Brooke continued to watch him until he was no longer in sight. It was only then that she released a deep breath. She doubted he would be able to help her with her wacky hormones. If anything, he would probably make them worse. Ian was and had always been too damn sexually potent for his own good. She smiled at the thought of that, since she of all people should know.
She picked up her drink to take another sip when across the verandah a couple sitting at a table caught her eye. It was the woman she had bumped into yesterday. She frowned. There was something about her, but what it was she couldn't quite put her linger on.
Ian had joked about Brooke being an unforgettable person, which she knew wasn't true. But still, she couldn't understand why the woman had not recognized her. Moments later it dawned on Brooke that today her hair was pinned back and she was wearing a hat. Yesterday her hair had been down. That had to be it. she thought. But still, there was something tugging at her brain, something she should be remembering.
Brooke took another sip of her soda, deciding it must not have been important.
Brooke arrived at Ian's penthouse ten minutes early, wearing a very daring, flesh-tone crocheted dress with a see-through bodice. The scalloped hemline was short and showed off the beauty of her legs. Ian knew he was in trouble the moment the elevator door opened.
He took a step back and eyed her up and down. He then pulled in a deep breath. "Hmm. I'm surprised you made it up here in one piece," he said, imagining how many men's eyes had popped