Page 19 of Dangerous Rhythm

From the security perspective, arriving this early was perfect. Less traffic, less issue. She didn’t and couldn’t feel bad for the measures she’d taken to protect Curtis and his parents. But she realized this couldn’t be easy for the older couple.

“You’ll be able to rest better once we arrive at your daughter’s,” Lina was compelled to say. “Our team in Paris has made sure that all is secure.”

Mrs. Bisset managed a smile, while Dr. Bisset said, “We appreciate that, Miss. Cheung.”

“Lina, please,” she reminded.

“Lina.” The professor nodded. “Then it’s Henry and Susan.”

Lina nodded, then asked them to buckle up before taking her own seat up front. She closed her eyes and took advantage of the descent to get centered before having to stay alert during the ride. She’d only gotten a couple of hours of sleep during the flight. Not because she’d had to stay awake, but because of Curtis and his words.

“You’re something else, Lina Cheung,” he’d said while making a study of her with those beautiful, deep caramel eyes. He’d also sported that sexy half-smirk of his that got all of his girl fans in a frenzy every time. She would never admit it out loud, but it made her lower region clench, too.

What did he mean bysomething else?

It means nothing.

She had to remember who Curtis was. He was the guy who had constantly flirted with anyone with a vagina during the Canis Major tours—even the fifty-something lady who coordinated their meals. It was just who he was—a flirt. He’d charmed more than a few panties off groupies, she knew that for a fact. She couldn’t fault him for it. He was single, and the women were willing.

Knowing that about Curtis, Lina had never taken his flirtation seriously. In fact, she believed he saw her as a challenge because she never reciprocated or even responded to his efforts. Not because he didn’t have any effect on her, but because he did. Oh man, he did.

At first, his flirtatious nature had annoyed her because he’d used those cheesy pickup lines. But she’d quickly realized he’d done that on purpose to make her laugh, because the lines had gotten worse each time. And Curtis Bisset didn’t need pickup lines to get a girl. He simply had to look at them in that special way of his that seemed casual at first, but when paired with the slow-forming appreciative smile on his lips, made any girl’s heart palpitate.

Her heart had drummed faster when he’d given her that look earlier. And Lina didn’t get heart flutters from many men. She’d seen too much of what horrible things men—and to be fair, also women—were capable of doing. But for some fucking reason, a glance from this frivolous rock star was enough to make her blood hum through her veins.

That was probably because deep down she knew there was more to Curtis than what met the eye. She’d learned despite his nonchalant attitude and periodic carelessness, she could trust him. Until this day—as far as she knew—he still kept the real story of how they’d met just between them. Technically, Tim Cavendish had introduced them when she’d flown in to replace him as the lead of the security team. But she had run into Curtis much earlier and under much more embarrassing circumstances.

Lina chuckled as she recalled it.

“What are you giggling about?” Curtis’ voice startled her.

Her eyes blinked opened and her lips curled, annoyed.How the hell did he sneak up on me?

“I don’t giggle,” she deadpanned.

He sat on the opposite chair and buckled in. “You were amused about something.”

Lina just eyed him levelly. She found keeping her expression in RBF—resting bitch face—mode was the only way for her to focus on Curtis without drooling over him.

“Come on. I could use a laugh. Life has been so intense this past month, I feel I’m going crazy,” he pled.

Lina’s feature softened. After witnessing a murder, being questioned by the police and the prosecutor, and now being wanted by a deranged mama bear who had just lost her cub, Curtis hadn’t had the easiest time.

“If you must know, I was just thinking about how we met,” she said.

The smile on his lips was immediate. “Really? I don’t remember you finding it funny, though.”

“Because it wasn’t funny. Not for me.”

He chuckled. “It was pretty funny from my perspective.”

“You weren’t the one humiliated.”

“Why did you feel humiliated? It was just me. And I thought it was cute.”

“Cute?” Lina’s eyes rounded in disbelief.

“Yeah. It was.” He shrugged. “There was nothing to be embarrassed about. Though that was the only time I’ve ever seen you flustered.”

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