Page 92 of The Stalker

“Maybe they’ll never find my stalker, and you’ll spend the rest of your life making coffee in my machine. Wouldn’t that be nice?” he grinned at her.

“Except that means you’ll still have a stalker,” she laughed.

He reached across and slid the strap of her nightgown up on her shoulder from where it had fallen down. Her skin zinged with electricity from where he’d touched it, and arousal flooded her mind and senses.

“I’d take that trade-off,” he told her in a husky voice.

Tatiana couldn’t respond for a second before she finally managed to ask, “Are we watching this movie or not?”

“Sure. We can do that.”

He ran his gaze over her body a final time before putting the movie on. A short way into it, the room service arrived, and Tatiana made them a second cup of coffee each.

When the film ended, Hayden switched off the television and turned to Tatiana to ask, “Better or worse than Casino Royale?”

“Worse. I mean, it’s not bad, but some of the action scenes were a little over the top. I still maintain there should be a Vesper spy series. Anyway, it’s time for me to call Jesse and go to bed. You should go to bed, too.” She smiled at him and grabbed her phone to make the call.

As she unlocked it, Hayden asked in a strange voice, “Do you think I’m a bad boyfriend?”

She was completely taken aback by what he’d asked. “I’m sorry, what? I don’t understand the question.”

“Blake says I’m a bad boyfriend because I was in love with my bodyguard when we were still together.”

He was chewing his bottom lip and looking sad. Meanwhile, she was trying to process what he’d just said. He’d been flirting with her when he was with Blake, but she’d hardly have classed him as ‘in love.’ Blake was just a jealous asshole.

“When did Blake say this?” She raised an eyebrow at Hayden.

“He’s left me a few voicemails and text messages.”

Tatiana sighed. “I did say you should block him for a reason, and this is why. He’s fucking with your head.”

She could happily drop kick Blake Stirling from here to the other side of the country. She hated that he was still messing with Hayden, even though he’d been dumped by him.

“But do you think I’m a bad boyfriend?”

“No, Hayden, but Blake was. Apparently, he’s an even worse ex-boyfriend. Don’t let him get to you. He’s just talking shit.”

Hayden didn’t say anything for a moment, then he said, “I should have ended it as soon as I had feelings for someone else, though.”

Tatiana couldn’t breathe. Hayden wasn’t looking at her. He was looking at the blank screen in front of him. She couldn’t respond to that because her mind was a complete mess. He’d admitted that he cared about her in the music room, but this was such an incredibly dangerous conversation.

“Would you kiss me if I asked you to do it?” Hayden said.

Her heart pounded in her chest as he turned his face to look at her, and she managed to say, “You’re drunk, Hayden.”

“I was drunk before the movie started. I’ve had two cups of coffee and the food you ordered for me. I’m not asking this because I’m drunk. I want you when I’m sober, too. Kiss me, Tatiana.”

Holy fucking shit. You need to fucking leave. Even better, go back in time and don’t have this conversation. This is bad.

Tatiana moved closer to him on the sofa. She saw the look of triumph in his eyes before it melted away into burning desire, and he moved closer to her as well. He slid one arm around her waist and moved his head forward until his lips met hers.

She wrapped her arms around his neck as they kissed. He was a good kisser, after all, and she parted her lips to allow him to deepen their kiss. He slid his other hand into her hair and rested it behind her head, holding her against him.

Her entire body was on fire, and she needed him desperately, despite the fact that she knew she couldn’t have sex with him for more than one reason tonight. They kissed for a long time, and it was everything Tatiana had imagined it would be.

I’m not going to pretend this isn’t enjoyable, but have you forgotten that he has a stalker and that you’re meant to be keeping him alive?

It felt as though cold water had been dumped on her head. She was kissing Hayden Vega. Her client. With a stalker. She was meant to be keeping him safe, not making out with him in a hotel suite.

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