Crown of Sins - Chaelisa

-Chapter Thirteen-

*Roseanne's POV*

Yeah, I know I was just being a bitch.

It wasn't the smartest thing I've ever done, pushing Lisa's buttons like that when she actually made this deal to help me. I know that. She didn't do it for herself, for her unit-no matter what she says till her dying breath. Because she'd never admit it.

But it was for me, and me alone.

So, yes, okay I regret pushing her too far this afternoon. And that's why I'm here at the last place I should be in this town, leaning up against FBI's D.C. headquarters. Pushing the envelope like I always do, smoking less than twenty-five feet from the entrance, I wait for Lisa.

The stone feels cool even through my leather jacket as I lean back against the building, my head tipped upward as I exhale. I don't know how long I've been standing here, but I know she hasn't left yet. So I keep waiting, with one leg bent and the sole of my boot on the building too.

I wonder just how out of place I look as suits come and go from the doors, every couple people eyeing me as tendrils of smoke make their way over there.

And then all of my time waiting here pays off. All of the time I could have been making calls and laying out orders for others, that I spent right here while the sun tucks itself behind the clouds, it pays off when Lisa comes out of those tall, glass doors and into the fresh air.

I know she catches something in the corner of her eye as she comes out, and she almost misses me. But with a quick snap of her head and a double take, she takes me in.

I'd bet money that she's hiding something beneath that hard mask of hers, but I'm just not sure what-if it's good or bad. Still, though, she walks over to me instead of walking past.

Using the foot still on the building, I push off and stand straight while she walks up. But I shove a little harder than I meant to, I think, which propels me farther than I intended.

While she's still walking. And suddenly we're too close. We're closer than we've been yet, even in her anger when she's wanted to get right up in my face.

She's inhaling what I exhale, and something about that does things to both sets of my lips. I have to blink, several times, to keep from tipping over. But even re-centered, I don't take a step back.

Neither does Lisa, even after I hold my breathe, waiting to see if she will, hoping that she won't. She stands there, waiting for me to speak. I know she won't take the initiative this time, like I've made her before. I showed up. So I'm going to have to start talking eventually.

But I soak up her gaze, letting it roam over all of me, for one more second before I start. It helps, lifting me up a little.

"What do I need to do?" I ask finally.

I don't need to explain. Don't need to lay out that I'm asking about the task she called for earlier. She knows. We both know why I'm here. But I expect her to make me explain in excruciating detail, make me beg for her forgiveness to get back into her good graces and back into our deal.

Every part of me expects some yelling, some name calling, which, honestly, I probably deserve.

So when Lisa's shoulders drop a little, relaxing, it's hard not to take a step back in surprise. Waves of sheer shock rock through me as one corner of her mouth twitches.

It still takes a while, seconds ticking by as she considers my question, but I already know she's going to let me off the hook. She shouldn't be stretching this out so long, though. Parts of me-very specific parts-want to sway closer to her. My lips are itching to rub against the rough stubble on her chiseled chin.

Stupid Roseanne. Think with your head, not your pussy.

"We got a tip today that some fancy party is going to be a cover for a big deal," Lisa finally says, saving me from myself. Then she finally smiles, and it takes everything I have inside me of me not to swoon right into her arms.

When she smiles, a real smile and not the mocking one that looks more like she's about to bite-not that I don't love that one too, to be honest-it's all I can do just to keep breathing.

"And I need a date who has the right knowledge," she adds.

I do what I know intrigues her, maybe irritates her a little too. And I lift just one eyebrow upward. I think it bothers her because she can't do it. When she tries, she just looks surprised as both go up, not intrigued or questioning like I can pull off.

And I let out half a smirk too. This sounds worlds better than what I'd been anticipating. It actually sounds like something I could enjoy. Maybe.

But she ruins it all with her next breath.

"That is if you can clean up at all," Lisa adds. She pairs it with a rude glance down from my leather jacket to my heavy boots, and back up to my tight ponytail before meeting my eyes again.

Fuck. You.

I don't know if she's ever irritated me quick this much. For a split second, I actually think about spitting in her face. This fucker has seen me naked, she's seen all of me. And she dares to say something like that.

"Text me where to be and when," I hiss before stomping away.

I don't give her any time to respond. Instead I hop onto my motorcycle as fast as I can, yanking my helmet down so hard it fucks with my ears. And then I'm speeding away, getting the engine as loud as I possibly can just out of spite.

What. A. Dick.