Abducted: Reconnaissance Team (Texas Rangers: Special Ops Book 1) Read Free Page B

evening.” 
    Liz turned at the sound of Adam’s voice, and Reid released her hand as Adam slipped an arm around her waist.
    Reid gave Adam an assessing look and a corner of his mouth lifted. He returned his attention to her, reached inside his front jacket pocket, and handed her a card. “Give me a call when you drop off the help this evening. I’m a night owl.” 
    She took the card. “I’ll put you in my contacts for future reference.”
    His smile suggested a personal contact instead of a professional one.
    He left and Adam’s hand shifted to her spine as he urged her in the opposite direction. “Is sex really how you sell designs?” he asked.
    Liz shifted her gaze to his face. “Why do you think women wear designer clothes?”
    “Because the fashion industry convinces women they have to pimp themselves out.”  
    “You’re very naive, Mr. Billings. Women have been pimping themselves out since the first male showed interest in a female.” 
    Something undefined flickered in his eyes and was replaced by grudging respect. “That dress’ll get the job done,” he said. “But do you really need that guy?” 
    She laughed. “He’s just another model trying to get a leg up.” 
    “Trying to get your leg up,” Adam said. “I suppose that’s a requirement for getting the job?” 
    Liz’s amusement died. “That’s not how I hired you, if you recall.”
    “True. But maybe you didn’t like me.” 
    “I like your looks just fine.”  
    He grinned. “Ms. Monahan, I do believe I’ve made you angry.” 
    It was her turn to be surprised. He had pushed her buttons—twice in fact—a feat not easily accomplished. Which meant she was the one who hadn’t separated business from pleasure. Liz spotted a dress she was sure had been copied from another designer’s previous winter collection. That eliminated them from the competition.
    “How did you manage to escape—” she started to say ‘Ms. Antonio,’ realized he’d know she’d been watching them dance, and managed, instead, “—Larissa?” 
    “I told her I had to save you from the wolves.” 
    Liz riveted her gaze onto him. “Wolves?” Her outburst earned her a curious look from a man to her left. She urged Adam two paces away, then whispered, “That’s not your job description. You’re supposed to make me look good.” 
    “Then I’d better get to it.” 
    He grasped her hand and she startled at the gentle pressure or his fingers on hers as he worked his way through the crowd. They neared the orchestra and she registered the waltz they played—and Adam’s intentions.
    “Mr. Billings,” she began, but he turned and slipped a hand around her waist.
    Adam drew her into a tight turn and her pulse quickened as her breasts flattened against his chest. She glanced down and couldn’t halt a small gasp at seeing her breasts straining against her bodice. Liz looked up to find him staring down at her, one brow raised.
    She narrowed her eyes. “You’re going to get us arrested.” 
    He gave a low chuckle that carried with it something indefinable. “There’s a first time for everything.” 
    The firm pressure of his fingers on her back tightened as he deftly steered her away from a couple dancing too close. “You’re enjoying this,” she said under her breath.
    Another laugh.
    What was up with this man? She had seen a lot of shameless flirting and blunt propositioning in her years in the fashion industry—not to mention, the three years as Creative Director for Nina Bruno Designs—but she had never been… What? Accosted? Worse, she had to admit, was the fact that it had been some time since a man held her so intimately. Adam sidestepped another couple, executing an expert turn. Liz’s grip on his back tightened and her fingers brushed the soft hair at his neck. A shiver raced down her spine. She grimaced inwardly. It really had been too long since she’d done anything except access men for their ability to make a model