Page 71 of My Temptation

Brody was only wondering aloud because he knew I had no idea.

Me: We need to find out.

My phone chimed, and I pushed to sit with my back against the headboard. I’d given my number to Steve but didn’t expect him to text me.

Me: Brody, hang on. I think the bartender, Steve, is texting me.

Tapping on the message from Steve, I swung my legs over the side of the bed and sat on the edge while I read.

Steve: Hey man, bar’s having a party tonight if you and your girl are interested.

Without hesitating, I replied: We’re in. What time?

Steve: Ten.

Me: Thanks for the invite.

When I didn’t get an answer, I switched back to the messages with Brody.

Me: Just got invited to a party at the bar tonight.

Brody: Don’t know what you did, but you’re in. Keep in touch tonight. Don’t do anything impulsive. If something feels off, it probably is. Get out if that happens and call it in. We’ll go from there.

Me: Got it.

Brody: Good luck.

Tapping my phone on my thigh, I stood and made my way toward the bathroom, where I knocked on the door with my knuckles.

“Yeah?”

I heard the shower curtain slide along the rod and imagined Mila, hair dripping, water sluicing over her skin, looking toward the door, and I groaned. We needed to get into that fucking bar, find Samson, and get the hell out of here before I lost my mind.

“Ethan…” she called out.

I cleared my throat. “Steve texted me.”

I heard the water stop. “And…”

“He invited us to a party at the bar tonight.”

“Are you kidding?” she squealed, and I couldn’t help but grin at her excitement. “Tell me you’re not kidding.”

“I’m not kidding,” I answered. “When you’re done, I’ll grab a shower. Party starts at ten.”

“This could be the break we’ve been waiting for.”

“Yeah,” I agreed before moving away from the door. I needed a minute to clear my mind before she came out. Moving across the room, I looked out of the sliding glass doors to the courtyard below, which was once again filled with tourists, but most were wearing leather vests. I don’t think Kyle realized the hotel he set us up in for this week was right in the heart of the festivities for the motorcycle rally. Bikes and bikers were everywhere, and everyone checked out Mila today. I wasn’t surprised, and she didn’t seem bothered, although I couldn’t tell if that was just an act. She didn’t like talking about her last assignment, but she was obviously comfortable around bikers. She knew what to expect and knew how to dress so she would blend in. I was surprised she talked about the Black Widows last night, but I knew it was a smart move after I saw Steve's reaction. Her history was opening doors for us that wouldn’t have opened otherwise.

I just wasn’t sure we were prepared for what we might find on the other side.

It wasn’t even ten minutes before Mila came out of the bathroom. When I looked over my shoulder, I saw she was dressed in yoga pants and a sports bra, which seemed to be her go to whenever we were hanging around the room. It wasn’t anything I hadn’t seen her in before. She worked out almost every day at the Elite offices in the same shit, but there I could escape. I wasn’t forced to be alone in a room with her, and if I was, I found a way to get the hell out and avoid the temptation.

I didn’t have that luxury here.

She smiled when she saw me and put her hands on her hips. “What did he say?”

“Just asked if we wanted to come to the party.”

---