No credit cards in the wallet, only a driver’s license with a photo of a much younger Sam. Even then he was a handsome devil. I can’t imagine the trouble he must have gotten into as a teenager. Tucked into the other side are two condoms in their foil packages.

Suddenly feeling like a creepy pervert, though I’m only doing my job, I close the wallet and put it back. The condoms gave me a weird feeling. I don’t know why. At least he’s responsible and careful. That’s better than a lot of men. And it’s not like I don’t know that he’s a manwhore already. My research made that blatantly clear.

Even so, the thought of Sam being with other women bothers me a little bit.

Which is dumb.

This isn’t real.

Sam needs to stay off-limits.

No matter how much I might enjoy sex with him, it can only screw things up all the way around. No more kissing and no more touching. Nothing says I can’t still look though.

And I will.

All night.

After all, who needs sleep?

Certainly not me.

***

I wake up the next morning in the chair with a light blanket tucked around me. Sam is already gone. He must have taken the blanket off the bed and covered me up with it before he left. His surprising thoughtfulness brings a smile to my face. Maybe his mother taught him a few good manners after all.

The sheets on the bed are a tangled mess. Considering how drunk he was, I’m surprised he moved a muscle. The bed looks like an F-5 tornado tore through it.

I walk over to the bed, pick up the pillow, and bring it to my nose. The scent of the soap Sam uses is still on the pillowcase. All I have to do is close my eyes and I can see him as clearly as if he’s standing beside me. Instead of changing the pillowcase, I put the pillow back down on the side of the bed where I normally sleep.

The weeks of research on Sam leading up to the undercover operation must be messing with my head. In a way, I feel like I’ve known him forever, and yet he constantly surprises me with the crazy things he says and does.

Sam is one sizzling hot mess.

No doubt about it.

***

I’m dreading making the daily check-in call to my boss, Frank. No matter how much progress I’m making, it won’t be enough for him. He rides me during every investigation to push harder and work faster.

The other field agents feel the same way about him.