PART 4

Riley feels exhausted. She didn't get to sleep last night. She didn't want to come in to the office today but there are still tons of things she needed to do.

Last night Maya was waiting for Riley when she opened the door to their apartment.

"So how was your date?" Maya asked.

"It's not a date and you know it."

"Fine...geez, woman you don't need to be so grumpy."

"I'm sorry. I just feel out of sorts. Maya, I don't think I can do this."

"What can't you do?" Maya pulled Riley to sit beside her. "You've always known what you wanted and you've always gone for it. Riles, what's really bothering you?"

"What if I fail?"

"Matthews! What kind of question is that? You won't fail."

"How do you know that Maya?"

"Because you are a smart, resourceful and determined woman. Weren't you the one that dragged me into the academy? Weren't you the one that convinced both our parents that we will be amazing Agents?"

"That's different."

"How so?"

"Maya, I will be working as an undercover Agent in a country I've never been to with a language that I barely understand and to top that I will be working along side a guy I barely know who by the way does not have any military training."

"Is that all?" Maya is looking at her best friend critically. She's never seen Riley like this since they were in the seventh grade. Back then she was the goofy, insecure Riley Matthews but she'd grown out of it. At least that's what Maya thought. The woman in front of her now is the girl Maya had been missing for a while now.

Maya's sure that she will miss Riley very much. They've never been away from each other for long periods of time but Maya's glad that Riley got this assignment because whether her friend realizes it or not, this assignment is what she needs. Maya might like her job but she knows that there's more to life than work and seeing how this new assignment and the handsome guy attached to it is getting to her peaches, maybe, just maybe Riley will see it too.

"Peaches, you'll be fine. So what if Huckleberry isn't trained? You are. You hold so many black belts in so many things it wouldn't matter and if you're that worried, then teach the man the basics. Also, if and when you think you're in too deep, you can always call me and I will hop on a plane faster than humanly possible."

"Huckleberry?"

"Out of all the things I said that's what you picked up?"

"Huckleberry?"

"What? Don't tell me you didn't notice his drawl. Besides, Smackle and I did some digging. The boy is from Texas. He's a cowboy for crying out loud."

"Thanks peaches."

"Any time Riley. Anytime."

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"Riley, a moment please."

"Sure Heddy."

"That there," pointing at two huge suitcases, "are your suitcases. I've taken the liberty of packing your new belongings. And before you argue, let me re-assure you that it was necessary that I do it. Remember, it is very important that you use the proper accessories with your wardrobe." And with that she gave me a hug and whispered, "Try and enjoy your time. One can always mix pleasure with business, trust me, it makes work more fun."

Heddy Lang and her group are responsible for "suiting" the Agents. Heddy provides the necessary gadgets to help them with their investigations or mission. The "accessories" she was referring to are in actuality gadgets like mini cam, recorder or even a weapon disguised as a woman's everyday accessory.

Riley had to bring a lot of accessories with her since she's going solo in this op. Intel personnel had to be stretched pretty thin across the board these days with so many cuts in funding. That's why she is going into this alone, hoping that there would be little or no chance of physical danger involved.

Riley is not thrilled with the idea that someone else packed her stuffs for her but at the same time she is glad because her flight had been moved to later this evening and she wouldn't have enough time to get ready and pack at the same time. All in all she is very grateful to Heddy.

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The woman was stunning, he conceded. Her features were as close to perfection as a man could desire and her figure, threatened to rouse that desire to a fever pitch. Too bad she has a temper. If last night was anything to go by, Lucas is certain that last night's exchange between the two of them will not be the first and last one they will have.

Riley saw him right away. How can she not? The man stands out from the rest. He had one of the most spectacular physiques she'd ever seen. His shoulders and arms were powerfully masculine, able to bear the heaviest of weights. And yet it struck her that those same arms could also be gentle enough to cradle a helpless infant.

She shook her head. Ever since she personally met the man, her train of thought had veered to a different track than she's used to. The man had stirred an alien reaction in her. A reaction to which she doesn't want to pay much attention to right this moment.

"Riley."

"Lucas," she replied in a clipped tone.

He laughed, a warm throaty chuckle. "You're still annoyed with me."

His comment embarrassed her. "Sorry. Can we start again?"

With speed Lucas' body reacted. He moved his grasp to Riley's arm and dragged her toward him. His expression was fierce and a little predatory, his eyes narrowed and intent. One kiss. He'd permit himself a single kiss to alleviate the tension between them. To reassure her that they will be okay, that she will be safe with him.

"Riley." He lifted her chin and bent closer. Her eyes widened, her mouth slackened just a little as she realized what he intended. Perfect.

Her lips trembled beneath his and he wrapped his arms around her, sweeping her close. Tension gripped Lucas rigid as desire starts spiraling, slowly he pulled away. "That's a nice start."

Struggling to dampen down her wildfire response, Riley smiled distantly, but she couldn't ignore the fact that he obviously wanted her to say something. Nor could she pretend not to feel the scorching along her cheekbones after he kissed her. Hot little shivers ran through her at the memory of that kiss.

Reluctantly she inched closer to him and his fingers closed around hers. Riley flinched. "Are you okay?" he demanded, frowning.

"Yes. Yes I'm fine." Fumbling for something to say to cover up her involuntary reaction to his touch. It took every shred of her fragile control not to snatch back her hand. His fingers were warm and strong - the hand of a person who worked hard.

"You ready? " Lucas asked, his tone flat.

"I am but to be honest, I'm also excited and nervous."

He grinned. "Is this your first time going to the Philippines?"

"First time ever to travel to Asia." Riley flushed.

"Really? I assumed that you've travelled far and wide given your line of work." Then he added, "Actually you do look very young to be working as an FBI Agent."

Easy, girl. Flighty female had never been her style. Fixing a friendly smile on her face, Riley calmed the startled leap of her pulse.

Since she'll be stuck beside this man for some time, would she need to talk to him. She needs time to subdue the wild confusion attacking her. Maybe then she'd be able to think up some innocuous conversation.

The flight from Washington, DC to Manila is about 20 hours. Their plane taxied out of the runway, in a few minutes the engines screamed and they were moving faster. Soon the wheels left the tarmac and the plane was airborne. Lucas felt a sense of excitement he hadn't experienced in a while, and this time it has everything to do with his companion. By the time the fastened the seat belts signed turned off, Lucas noticed that Riley was already pulling out a manila envelope out of her bag.

"Work?" he asked.

"Yes." And just like that the mood changed. Lucas wasn't sure why that irritated him. He is aware that it was because of her work why she's sitting beside him, but the very thought that she chose to get down to work right away rankled him.

Riley frowned before glancing at her watch. She'd been asleep five hours already? How was that possible?

"Did you sleep well?"

She stirred restlessly. "Probably as well as you did."

"Not really. You were snoring loudly I found it hard to sleep."

"What? I don't snore." She said in a soft voice.

"Are you sure?"

"No. If I did snore, I apologize for that. You should have woken me up."

"You weren't snoring. I was just teasing you." he drawled. "We'll be landing in about an hour or so. Why don't you freshen up?"