Page 4 of Code Name: Typhon

I’d just ordered their signature fried chicken appetizer, another means of spoiling myself, when a man at the bar caught my eye. Given I hadn’t caught his, I let my gaze linger. He was magnificent. Tall, a requirement for me since I was five feet ten. My guess was he was at least six inches taller, maybe more. His dark, almost-black, long hair was tied back, but still hung beyond his shoulders. His build was best described as big and powerful. Even from a distance, I could see evidence of defined muscles under his long-sleeve dress shirt and trousers.

When he glanced over his shoulder as though he felt me watching, his gray eyes met mine for a split second before he turned away, signaled the bartender, and left.

Disappointed that he hadn’t offered to buy me a drink, I returned to the suite. As anxious as I was to sleep, fantasies of the mystery man kept me awake. I closed my eyes and pictured his hands on my body. A man like him was the fulfillment of my ideal—big, hard, and commanding. Dampness coated the inside of my thighs as I imagined his hardness pounding into me or his tongue licking through my folds.

God, I needed to get laid.

Given my late-night self-satisfying escapades, an early call jarred me awake.

“Good Lord, why are you up so bloody early?” I asked when I saw it was Niven ringing.

He chuckled. “Late night?”

“Not in the way you’re thinking.” I glanced at the time. “It’s half seven. Who are you?”

“Right, well, I wanted to chat with you before Harper woke.”

I was intrigued. “Harper? Interesting name.”

“A far more interesting person.”

“I thought you had a rule about women staying over. Present company excluded, given I’m the closest thing you have to a sister.”

“It isn’t like that. You’ll see when you come around later.”

Later being the operative word. “Unlike you have become, I am not a morning person, Niv. I’ll ring you back.”

I ended the call, knowing if I didn’t, I’d soon be wide awake at what felt like the middle of the night. I hugged my pillow, imagining it was the tall, dark, and handsome man I’d seen at the bar, and drifted to sleep.

When I woke again, it was half ten, a far more civilized hour. After showering, I rang Niven.

“Nice nap?” he teased.

“At least I’m partially human now. What did you want to discuss with me?”

“The Alfriston cottage.”

It had to have been close to twenty years since I’d visited. “What of it?”

“I’m thinking of purchasing it. That’s if your father still owns it.”

I had no idea and said so.

“The point is, I’m giving you first right of refusal.”

I laughed out loud. “Have at it, cousin. I’ve no interest whatsoever.”

“You’re certain?”

“Cross my heart.”

“We ran into him, by the way,” he grumbled.

I knew who he was referring to, but the other word he’d used intrigued me more. “We?”

“Harper and me. Her manners far exceeded his.”

That wouldn’t be difficult. Unless he was conversing with someone who could advance his and my mother’s social status, my father was typically rude. “So, when do I get to meet her?”

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