Agent M4: Riordan by Joni Hahn Read Free Book Online Page A

really believe I’d think less of you?”
    Yes.
    He made no reply but simply savored her hand in his.
    How long had it been since he’d held a woman’s hand, or held a woman in his arms? If Natalie’s hand felt this freaking soft, what did her body, her breasts feel like?
    “Riordan, I-“
    “Saint.”
    Natalie dropped his hand when Jaydan entered the room. Dammit.
    “Saint,” she said, with a twist of her mouth.
    “Well, in his mind, anyway.” Jaydan grinned, hands on his hips.
    Riordan glared at his soon-to-be-dead co-worker.
    Natalie’s voice held a teasing lilt. “Mitchell called you that. I can’t decide if it’s utterly ridiculous or…” Her smile vanished as she searched his gaze. “…appropriately fitting.”
    Okay, that was it. He had to have her. Screw control.
    Clasping her hand in his, he turned to Rose without looking at her. “Oh, you’re leaving, Rose?”
    Jaydan gave him a lopsided smirk. “Yeah. Actually, I’m flying up to Sacramento on an op.” Glancing at Natalie, he said, “It was nice meeting you, Natalie. I hope to see you soon.”
    Riordan scowled at Rose again. Damned jackass didn’t know when to let up.
    Humor lit her voice. “Likewise, Jaydan.”
    “See ya, Saint.” He walked out without a backward glance.
    Riordan stared at the place where Jaydan disappeared, unsure of how to approach what had just happened. He’d taken Natalie Meeks’ hand in his and… she’d left it there.
    When she stepped away, he let her go. To entertain thoughts of he and Natalie Meeks declared him completely delusional. A senator’s daughter and a drug-addict’s grandson? A criminal and a psychologist?
    Comical.
    “So, what’s it going to be, Saint ?” She faced him, arms crossed under her breasts. Her now abundant cleavage peeked through the lacy fabric, stirring his blood.
    “If you’re worried about confidentiality, what we do together stays between us.” Her dark, heated gaze settled on his mouth. “Okay?”
    Damn, if she gave off signals like that to all of her patients, it’s no wonder she had a successful practice.
    He really didn’t give a shit about anyone else’s opinion. The only people that mattered in his life already knew his history.
    And now, Natalie Meeks. Her opinion, her thoughts, had come to matter. Why, he didn’t want to think about. Once she read his file, she’d know the kind of man he was and want to separate herself as soon as possible.
    That would be a good thing.
    This attraction he felt for her had exploded into a driving need since he’d held her hand. He wanted more.
    More could never happen.
    God, he was screwed up. Maybe Mitchell knew what he was talking about, after all.
    She grabbed her purse from the back of the chair. “I need to go. I don’t want to get mixed up in the Padres game traffic.”
    “Stay.”
    He did not just say that…
    Her wide smile made his heart pound. “Are you sure?”
    No . He nodded.
    Dropping her purse on the floor, Natalie took the tablet from his grasp. She set it on the desk and dragged over a chair.
    “Come on, Saint. I was just getting to the part where you confessed your addiction to Justice League cartoons.” She patted the chair.
    Riordan had a feeling that things would change once he sat down. He’d crossed into forbidden territory, into the land of misguided trust.
    Tread lightly, stay alert.
    Survival had to be paramount.
    “I have a thing for Wonder Woman .” Dropping into the chair beside her, his arm brushed hers. Every nerve-ending along his side spiked. This would not end well.
    Sitting side by side, feet on the desk, she offered him some rocky road ice cream. He declined, opting for her water bottle on the floor. Taking a drink, he set the file to audio, before leaning back to listen.
    Having his involvement in money laundering, selling government secrets and stealing corporate information voiced aloud brought shame to a profession he’d never disparaged before. Every once in a while, he’d