Agent in Training by Jerri Drennen Read Free Book Online Page A

across from him at his desk. Two weeks of filling out paperwork was starting to wear on his nerves.
    “Want to go to Ryan’s after work and have a drink?” Hank asked. He stood and stuffed a stack of papers into a file cabinet.
    “Sounds good. I could use a night of wine, women, and song.”
    A wide grin crossed Hank’s face. “Care if I invite Sandra to come along?”
    “Only if you promise not to make out in front of me. It’s been awhile.” Shiloh’s luscious lips stole into Nick’s thoughts and his jaw clenched. Stop it, Trent. All you need is to start fantasizing about the Ice Princess again . Each day he seemed to remember more details of the dream that was not a dream. It was driving him crazy and he didn’t know where the meds ended and reality began. “Wait, aren’t you worried about running into someone you know? You and Sandy are taking quite a chance dating in the first place.”
    Hank ran a hand through his light-brown hair and leaned against the cabinet. “We’ve talked about it, but we don’t care. We want to be together.”
    Nick tipped his cup to his partner. “Glad to hear that. Obviously, the two of you really like each other.”
    “I really care about her. She’s great. I want you to get to know her a little better. Then you’ll see why I can’t stay away.”
    “So let’s finish this paperwork and get the hell out of here.” Nick picked up his pen and smiled to himself.
    It was good to see his partner happy. Sandy seemed good for Hank. As for himself, he wasn’t ready for any kind of commitment and wouldn’t be for a long time.
     
    Three hours later, a casually dressed and freshly-shaven, Nick walked into Ryan’s. He glanced around the bar for Hank and Sandy but didn’t see them. He frowned but then his cell phone rang. He unclipped it from his belt and looked at the call display. Ah .
    “Trent here.”
    “Sorry we’re not there yet, Nick. Sandy had to wait for a call from her mother, so we’re running a little late. Order a drink. We’ll be there as soon as we can.”
    “Hey, don’t worry about it. I’ll be sitting at the bar.” Nick ended the call and headed for the long circular bar against the mirrored wall at the back. He wove his way through a group of Alpha-Omega-Phi Sorority students then spotted a woman at the far end of the bar whose hair resembled a fine red wine—the same shade as…
    His heart picked up speed, beating like a jackhammer. Could it really be her? The Ice Princess—old Iron Maiden herself? Here at Ryan’s? No, it couldn’t be. Why would uptight Shiloh Templar be in such a place?
    Nick rubbed his jaw. Maybe she wanted to pick up a man. He was a man. Probably more man than she could handle . Okay, where in the hell did that come from?
    He knew he’d be crazy to come-on to the director, though a part of him wondered if she’d take the bait. An insistent part of him.
    He grinned and headed her way, ready for whatever she dished out. He was up for a good challenge, and this could certainly be an interesting one. But he decided, as he approached her, that verbal play was as far as he’d let it go.
    “This seat taken?"
    The redhead pivoted on her stool. When she recognized him her face lost some of its color. "What are you doing here, Trent?”
    “I was about to ask you the same thing. What’s a girl like you doing in a place like this?” He didn’t say nice girl . She was hardly that.
    “Did you think up that line yourself, or was it a line your father used?”
    Nick mentally counted to ten, intent on not letting her get to him.
    “I was three when my father was killed. And I don’t think he was teaching me pickup lines at the time.”
    She grimaced. “Sorry. I forgot.”
    “Don’t worry about it. So why are you here? Looking to score some action?” Nick watched in fascination as her face flushed a pretty pink and he assumed he was right on target.
    “I came in for a drink. That a crime?”
    He smiled. “Only if you’re a