Page 5 of Covert Affair

“Only a few have clearance to stay here because most of the award show invitees are here.”

I shrug. “Could be. Either way, he came back pretty clean.”

And like a light switch, her entire demenor changes.

“You don’t need to stay here. I’ll call downstairs and get you a room. They can put it on my tab.” She huffs with her hand on her hips.

Here comes the bratty, entitled attitude.

“Listen, sweetcheeks; I’m not thrilled about this either. Like it or not, we’re sharing this room. I’ll sleep on the sofa. Don’t worry, I have no plans of touching you.” It's crystal clear that Stacey has no clue what's really happening or that she's got hate mail rolling in from Grady's screw up.

“Dick.”

“Yes. I have a fairly large one. No, you won’t be seeing it,” I smart back. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, there’s nothing on my itinerary for tonight, so I’m going to change into something other than these swim trunks, and settle in for the evening.”

“Uhm. No.” Stacey glares at me. “I planned to go out to dinner. Maybe hit up one of the clubs for a little bit.”

I nearly growl. “Nice try. I just told you there are eyes on us. I didn’t come out here to be paraded around for two days like a show horse. You get one date out of this deal and now, forty-eight hours of babysitting.”

“Charming. You know, I’m not sure who’s worse. You or Grady when it comes to ego,” she huffs. “Since I’m paying your salary right now, I do believe I’m the one in charge.”

Yeah, I’m going to kill Cole for this one. “Far from it, honey. Might as well order room service. We’re staying in,” I tell her one final time before locking myself in the bathroom to take a quick shower and put on a pair of sweats.

The little diva is more of a brat then she lets on.

I’m coming out of the bathroom when there’s a knock on the hotel room door. Stacey’s ready to open it, but I quickly step around her and check the peephole. Room service. Of course. I should have known.

Prying the door open ever so slightly, I verify that this guy is indeed hotel staff before taking the cart from him and wheeling it inside the room.

“Rule number one, you don’t answer the door for anyone—not even Carey.”

“Rule number two, I don’t take orders from you,” she sasses back.

“As long as you’re under my protection, you do,” I reply, stepping closer to her, invading her space just enough to let her know I mean business. “Things will go a whole lot smoother if you play by the rules.”

She licks her lips and for a split second I wonder what it would be like to kiss the attitude right out of her. Then she puts her hands on my chest and her voice cracks ever so slightly, “Please back up.”

I take two steps back and run a hand through my hair, ignoring what just went down and the guilt I feel for making her uncomfortable. I’m not here to get involved or rescue anyone. It’s a simple assignment. Two days and then I go home. Her regular security team takes over. “What’s for dinner?”

Stacey lets out a laugh. “You think I ordered you food? Nice try. I’ll be over here enjoying my prime rib burger and fries. If you’re hungry, I guess you’ll have to place your own order. I’m not covering tonight’s meal.”

“Suit yourself,” I toss a shirt over my head and shove my wallet in the pocket of my shorts. “I’m going to get myself some dinner, Princess Crankypants. Don’t bother trying to leave this room. I’ll make sure Robert knows that no one is to be in or out.”

I’m halfway to the door when she calls out my name.

“Wait,” she rolls her eyes. “There’s enough food here for two. Robert ordered for you.”

The urge to both laugh and strangle her runs strong. “Why the fuck didn’t you just say that?”

“Where’s the fun in that?” she shrugs. “I gotta keep you on your toes, right?”

3

STACEY MAE

After eatingdinner with Cody and doing my best to ignore his presence I found out the hard way that sleep is futile.

I think I barely managed a few hours last night. Having Cody in the room proved to be a terrible distraction. The man himself is quiet. He doesn’t snore, heck I even wondered a few times if he had stopped breathing. It’s his presence alone that has gotten under my skin. The scent of him, his entire aura could be easily intoxicating.

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