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her.
    He leaned tensely against the windowsill and studied her. She was no longer wearing the khaki shorts, tank top and sandals, but had changed into a business-casual attire of dark brown dress slacks and a beige blouse. There was no doubt about it, the woman was stunning and up close she was more ethereal than real and her dark eyes were even more beautiful. Her dark brown hair flowed around her shoulders in a healthy, glossy glow and her lips were more than just full and luscious, they were also inviting.
    His gaze slowly moved to her chest. She wasn't large-breasted, but she wasn't small either. In his opinion, the size of her breasts was just right and looked firm pressed against her blouse. There was something that was too graceful about her to be a CIA agent and he couldn't imagine her dodging bullets or roughing it. The thought of that shook him to the core. To him, she was more suited in some man's bed and not going on missions hunting down the bad guys.
    He angered at the thought of her life being in danger and was amazed at his reaction to her and her well-being. But the one thing he knew for certain was that she would not be going with him on this mission, no matter what Casey said. The last thing he needed was a partner who was a woman… and an incredibly beautiful woman at that.
    After Casey finished talking, Tori glanced at Drake and tried to ignore the flutter that went through her body when their eyes met. A warning went up in her mind. She had to convince Casey that she and Drake could not work together. Years of being Drake's lover gave her the ability to read him like a book and she knew what he was thinking. If he couldn't change Casey's mind about them teaming up together, he would follow orders and take her along only to dump her somewhere while he went on the mission alone.
     
    And there was no way she would let him dump her anyplace. Why did Drake Warren have to be so damn handsome? Why was he so damn self-assured and cocky?
    "Before I get teamed up with Warren, sir," she said to Casey, "I want some kind of assurance that he won't go off half-cocked and try to be a superhero. I've heard about how he likes taking risks, and personally I like choosing the risks I take. I love my life and want to be around for retirement, so if you don't mind I'd prefer that you find another female agent to go with him."
    Drake narrowed his eyes at Tori before saying, "And I prefer doing the mission alone."
    Casey crossed his arms over his chest and met both of their gazes. "Unfortunately what the two of you want doesn't matter in this case. My only concern is the life of a young woman who happens to be the president's niece. Whatever problems you have in working together, I suggest you quickly get over them. There's going to be a boat docked out back tonight that will transport the both of you to a military ship that will carry you to Costa Rica. Members of the Marines Special Forces are standing by as your backup, but it will take the two of you working together to make your way through the jungle to rescue the woman safely."
    Tori signed deeply. She knew Casey was right. A woman's life was at stake; somehow she would find a way to endure Drake's presence without giving anything away. "What's her name?" she decided to ask.
    "Robin Thomas." Casey then switched his gaze to Drake. "Any questions?"
    Drake glared. "No questions for you but a statement for Miss Green." He turned and gave a full-leveled stare. "You had better hold your own because I don't plan to slow down for you."
    Tori narrowed her eyes. "And I don't plan to slow down for you, Rambo." Ignoring the intense anger that was spreading to every one of Drake's features, she turned to Casey. "When do we leave?"
    Casey looked at the mutinous expressions on the two agents' faces. Although they had come highly recommended, he wondered if perhaps he'd made a grave mistake by teaming them together. It was too late to make any changes now. They were on their own and