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FIVE DAYS LATER, ANNA was impatiently tapping her foot on the kitchen floor. Jett was always up and out the door early, ready to get a head start at the office. It figured that today—their surprise wedding day—he was taking his sweet time to leave. Aside from the woman who’d gone AWOL, the case Jett had been wrapped up with seemed to be nearly over. There’d even been a big news story the other day about the arrest of two Defense Department employees who’d been leaking information. Although Jett couldn’t tell her the details of their classified ops, she’d gotten the gist of it thanks to all of the media coverage.
“You look impatient, sweetness,” Jett said as he strode into the kitchen, brushing a kiss against her temple.
“Just a lot to do today,” she said, glancing at the clock on the stove.
“Uh-huh,” he said, nothing slipping by him as his gaze tracked her movements.
She lifted a shoulder. “Christmas is only a few days away. I’ve got lots to do. It is our baby’s first Christmas, after all.”
“And then after that, we’ll be jetting off on a tropical vacation,” he said, his voice husky.
“Can’t wait!” she said too brightly, and he raised his eyebrows. “You need to head into the office,” she urged. “I’ve got last-minute stuff to do and need the house to myself.”
“I don’t suppose that’s why a white van kept driving by earlier,” he asked with a smirk.
Anna playfully swatted at him. “You’re too observant sometimes. Just promise me you won’t look at the security cameras today and ruin the preparations I’m making for your surprise. Please?” she pleaded.
Jett’s muscular arms wrapped around her waist as he pulled her close. “You know I can’t deny you anything,” he said, ducking for a heated kiss. Anna was flushed when they finally came up for air. “If I didn’t have to really leave for the office, I’d have you crying out my name again,” he said, his eyes hot. She smiled coyly at him, recalling the way he’d pleasured her that morning, waking her up with his head buried between her thighs. She’d been writhing against his mouth as Jett ate her out, and she’d helplessly cried out his name as he’d made her come again and again.
“Let’s save that thought for tonight,” she said with a wink. “And if Lena tells you to do anything today, just go with it.”
Jett barked out a laugh. “She works for me, not the other way around.”
“Jett,” Anna said sternly, trying to level him with a glare.
“All right, sweetness,” he said, brushing his lips over hers in a chaste kiss. “I’ll be good—for now. After this big surprise, all bets are off.”
“That’s all I’m asking for,” she said, playfully pushing him to the door. She smiled as she watched him leave the kitchen, and a moment later, she heard the garage door opening. “Finally,” she breathed, rushing over to her cell phone. She had tons of last-minute things to do and had to get ready herself. Operation Mistletoe Mischief was about to take flight.
***
JETT GRUMBLED AS HE noticed his men eyeing him speculatively later that morning. Everyone seemed to be in high spirits, and it wasn’t just because of the upcoming holiday weekend. Christmas was only days away, and barring any emergencies, he and his team would be off for several days next week. Essential personnel would be staffing the building, and Luke would be in charge of anything urgent that arose while Jett was on vacation. He was looking forward to escaping for a few days with Anna to some sunshine and sand, although they’d both miss their infant son.
“What?” Jett jokingly growled, watching Sam eye him with a shit-eating grin.
“Nothing, boss,” Sam said. “Just happy it’s Friday.”
“Bullshit. All of you know what’s going on, and I don’t like it.”
Ford chuckled from where he stood near Clara at the receptionist’s desk. Someone had baked a ridiculous amount of Christmas cookies, and they were spread out across the counter on festive platters. Jett watched as Ford snagged a gingerbread man, taking a bite. “Gotta admit, these hit the spot. Plus, they saved me from doing a donut run,” he joked.
Clara flushed beside him, and Ford affectionately ruffled her hair. “Of course, I don’t mind running out at lunch,” he assured her. “You and Anna are easy to please with something sweet. The rest of these guys are heathens,” he joked.
“I notice Anna’s not here today, boss,” Nick said as his lips quirked. “Thought she was coming in on Fridays.”
“Enough,” Jett ground out. “All of you know her surprise. I get it.”
Sam crossed his arms, laughing quietly. “It kills you to not know what’s going on—just admit it.”
“I’ll do no such thing.”
Bells jingled on the front door, and then Anna herself breezed into the lobby. Her hair was freshly done, with long, blonde waves cascading down her back. Her cheeks were flushed, and her blue eyes sparkled with amusement. Jett raised his eyebrows. “I’ve decided we’re celebrating tonight,” Anna declared. “Lena’s bringing something for you to wear—either a suit or a tux,” she added, almost as an afterthought. “We’ll get all dressed up and go out.”
“And what are we celebrating?” Jett asked dryly. “Please promise me we’re not sitting through an opera or something.”
Anna shot him a look of disbelief as the rest of the guys howled with laughter. Gray cleared his throat, still chuckling. “It’s definitely not an opera.”
“Please, even I can’t sit through those,” Anna said. She wrapped her arms around Jett’s neck as she rose on her tiptoes for a kiss. He indulged her, and then she ran her hands down the front of his chest. “Don’t be so grumpy,” she said.
“I’m not grumpy. I just don’t like not knowing what’s going on.”
“You’ll know everything tonight,” she said, smiling reassuringly. “I’ll be at home getting ready this afternoon because I want to ‘wow’ you, so you need to stay at the office until dinner.”
“Anna—”
“No ifs, ands, or buts about it. You always work late, so I’m sure it’s no big deal for a control freak like you to make sure everything is running smoothly today,” she teased. “But you have to come home at exactly six-thirty. Don’t show up earlier, because I’ll be so mad at you. Promise me that you won’t ruin the surprise.”
“Don’t worry, it’s a good one, boss,” Luke said.
The doors to the basement opened just then, and West strode into the lobby, frowning. “What’s wrong?” Jett asked.
“I just got word that Caroline Hayes might be in Manhattan. Her sister lives there. It turns out that she might not be completely missing after all.”
“Where in Manhattan?” Anna asked. Jett shot her a look. “I know. I’ll stay out of it. Promise,” she assured him.
West cleared his throat. “The Feds are working with the NYPD. They’re planning to move in and make an arrest later this afternoon.”
“That’s the best news I’ve heard all day,” Jett said.
Anna giggled as the others exchanged looks. “Just wait, baby. You might change your mind later on after you find out my surprise. I’ve got to get a few more things done before tonight, so I’ve got to head out. Remember. Six-thirty.”
“Six-thirty,” Jett repeated. “And I’ll wear whatever Lena has for me.”
“Thanks, baby!” Anna said, giving him another quick kiss. She said goodbye to the others and then hurried back across the lobby. She waved from the doorway, waggling her fingers. “I’ll see you tonight. Don’t work too hard,” she said with a wink. “And good luck finding that Caroline chick.”
Jett raised his eyebrows.
She blew him a kiss before turning to leave.
He shook his head, looking back at his men. “This better be some surprise,” he said.
“I promise that you’ll love it,” Clara told him quietly.
He nodded at her in thanks and relaxed slightly. While his men would get a kick out of whatever Anna had planned, he knew Clara would be honest with him. “Let’s get back to work then. I’ve got to finalize some things before my trip next week. West, keep me updated on the situation involving Caroline Hayes.”
“Will do,” West replied. “We’ll wrap this case up with a nice little bow.”
“Or a knot,” Sam joked. “Like how you tie a knot?” Nick elbowed him as the others tried to keep straight faces. Looking around at everyone assembled in the lobby again, Jett turned and headed toward his office, shaking his head. He was itching to know what Anna was up to, but it sounded like tonight he’d finally have his answers.
