Kate Donovan - Spin Control (Silhouette Bombshell)

is the author of more than a dozen novels and novellas, ranging from time travel and paranormal to historical romance, suspense and romantic comedy. An attorney, she draws on her criminal law background to create challenges worthy of her heroines, who crack safes, battle bad guys and always get their man. As for Kate, she definitely got her man and is living happily ever after with him and their two children in Elk Grove, California. Please visit her Web site at www.katedonovan.com.

This story is dedicated to our dog Murphy,
who was so sweet, so loyal and
so loving for fourteen years,
and who never once complained at the end.
Good boy, Murf. Well never forget you.

K ristie Hennessys career at the Strategic Profiling and Identification Network required her to excel at three things: evaluating a subjects state of mind, anticipating his next move and designing a strategy to deal with it. She had been doing this sort of thing every day, weekends included, for almost two years, yet had to admit the man she was currently observing was the most fascinating subject she had ever encountered.

He paced back and forth like a wild animal that had just been caged. The fact that he was visibly conflicted was particularly intriguing given his profile. Everything in his file indicated that he was a man of incredible confidence, determination and single-mindedness. And Kristies dealings with him up till this point had proved that profile correct.

So why was he suddenly so unsure of himself? So tense? So downright fidgety?

And then it hit her, right between the eyes. This manSPIN Director Will McGregorwas about to propose to her.

Finally!

As you know, he was saying, his sexy voice resembling an X-rated travelogue as he paced the floor of her Washington, D.C., apartment, the West Coast office is ready to roll. The last stage in this plan is to assign permanent staff, and thenassuming the President doesnt change his mind againSPIN will be converted from a separate agency into a division of the Bureau.

Its like going home for you, she agreed, wistful for the days when he had been an FBI agent in the field, depending on herhis spinnerto provide him with undercover identities and support via computer and telephone.

It had been his gorgeous intonation and impressive record that had first attracted her to him. For weeks they had known each other only by voice. Now they were lovers. And if she was reading the signals accurately, they were about to become even more.

I kind of miss the days when you were an agent yourself, she told him. But youre such a great director, the change has definitely been worth it.

He seemed disconcerted by the interruption, so she warned herself to stop distracting him from his objective.

McGregor cleared his throat. Once the transition is complete, I wont be a director any longer. Ill be an assistant director of the FBI. Theyve promised me I can choose to be based in L.A. or D.C. And since my sister lives in L.A., thats my preference. But it affects you, too, because Id want you to permanently relocate there. The good news is, you wont have to find housing. Because obviously youd be living at my place.

Then where would you live?

Huh? Oh. Funny. McGregor grimaced, then joined her on the sofa, taking her hands in his own. Youre not going to make this easy, are you?

After fourteen months? Nope.

He chuckled. Okay. Move in with me, please. I cant live without you.

Move in with you? She licked her lips, disappointed. Thats it?

For now. I figure eventually well make it permanent

Eventually well make it permanent? She pulled her hands free. FYI, thats the most unromantic thing anyone has ever said to me. She eyed him grimly. All year long I thought you were waiting until the new office was set up. Then I thought you were waiting to see if Ray would come back to SPIN, which obviously isnt going to happen. Now what? Are you some kind of freakish confirmed bachelor in disguise? Because if you are, you should have warned me.

He gave her a pained smile. Just the opposite. Id love to marry you. But our work situation complicates things. If you and I get marriedhave children

Oh, that. She laughed in relief. Let me make it easy for you. You and the kids would come first. Absolutely. But I also love spinning and I love working for you. And I actually think I can run some ops from home, so I can combine business and pleasure. Except when the kids are babies, of course, because Ill be too busy kissing their toes to get anything done.

McGregor grinned. Sounds great. Unfortunately thats not the complication I was referring to. Im worried Ill have to fire you someday, and Im pretty sure the marriage manuals advise against that.

Fire me? Kristie scowled. For what? Im your best spinner.

Youre great, he agreed. But youre also a rogue. Youve decimated the rules at least three times that I know ofonce on my watch, two or three on Ray Ortegas. I figure you and I should live together for a while. See if you do anything else crazy. If I have to fire you, then you can decide if youll still marry me. And if by some miracle you become a model employee, we can get married next summer. I even bought the ringOh, fine! His blue eyes darkened as the phone on Kristies desk began to chime. Is that your operative line? I thought we agreed youd route it to the backups so we could have an uninterrupted dinner for once.

I told them not to bother me unless it was an emergency.

Perfect. He punched the speaker-phone button, his voice turning into a growl. This is Director McGregor. Identify yourself.

Hey, McGregor. Its Justin Russo. So the rumors about you and S-3 are true, huh? Youre a lucky guy! Is she as pretty as she sounds?

Russo? McGregor practically spat the name of Kristies favorite operative. Not that its any of your business, but S-3 and I were having an employer-employee discussion. And I wasnt aware we had any ops going with you at the moment.