Page 11 of The Lynx and the Llama
“But King Rayan, there’s much to prepare for with the SHIT. I still have to work on your speech. I can’t do that if I’m required to hang around with BS.”
“It’s nothing you can’t do the day after tomorrow. No. This isn’t up for debate. You will accompany us. If nothing, it will give you time to spend with my soon-to-be wife, who is dying to talk to you about wedding stuff. Even Treasure asked for you to come because she also wants to talk about all things wedding. I’ve made reservations for the six of us for dinner at Maeadia. Erika, I’ve also taken the liberty of purchasing a dress for you for the evening. It’s hanging on the door there.”
The color drained entirely from Erika’s face as her boss barked orders at her. She hadn’t heard him this determined since he wanted to sweep Carol off her feet.
“King Rayan, you don’t need to do—”
“Ms. Jean, you seem to forget an important detail about this assignment. We still don’t know if Zagan is behind all the disappearances of Lear’s people. Yes, Quinn is BS, but he was once Zagan’s prisoner. We can’t risk Zagan figuring out what we are up to. So whether you like it or not, you are part of this assignment now. That means you will be Quinn’s date for tonight. Consider it a dry run, and you will wear the dress I’ve picked out because it’s appropriate for this evening so that you will blend in. Mr. Taylor, I have someone dropping off your suit for the evening at the hotel.”
Date?Had she heard this right? And what was that about Quinn being a former prisoner of Zagan’s? Suddenly Erika felt woefully unprepared—a sensation that she usually never experienced as an assistant who excelled at her job.
There was something else in Rayan’s words that sparked the oddest feeling. Was she experiencing déjà vu? She could have sworn King Rayan had this exact same conversation with Carol just last year. Suddenly, warm heat caressed her shoulders. She blinked twice and found that Quinn had wrapped an arm around her.
“We will certainly play the part you need us to, King Rayan. Every agent needs to excel in BS. Especially if they ever want to be good at their job.”
King Rayan winked. “Exactly. I’m glad you get it, Quinn. Erika, please escort Quinn to his hotel so he may get ready for tonight. Then go home so you can do the same. I will have my driver pick both of you up. Four p.m. for you, Quinn, and four thirty for you, Erika. That’s all for today.”
Erika grabbed the dress bag from the hook on the door and headed out of King Rayan’s office. Once Quinn closed the door behind them, Erika let out a huff and slumped her shoulders.
“I can’t believe he’s doing this to me. I’m not good at pretending!”
Quinn wrapped an arm around her waist.
“Then don’t.”
She gave him an incredulous look.
“We both can’t deny that we are attracted to one another. And now that we are going out on a date sooner rather than later, how about I take these few days to convince you to date me?”
“Date you? As in more than one date? Oh no, Quinn. I agreed to one, and that seems to be tonight.”
He squinted his eyes at her and bit his bottom lip. Heat rushed to her core as she watched the sexy-as-hell gesture. She found herself licking her lips. Then her panties dampened as she thought about those teeth nibbling on her bottom lip. Her breath hitched as he drew her closer. His erection pressed hard against her inner thigh, and she couldn’t help but suck in a shaky breath at the size of his bulge.
“Admit it, woman! You like me. I can hear how I affect your pounding heart and love the essence of your soaked panties! It’s futile to deny this to a llama because all our senses are keen.”
“I will admit… nothing.”
She nearly smiled a shit-grin, proud that she could restrain from telling him she was maybe five seconds away from an orgasm. And especially if his chest grazed her already hard nipples. Seriously? WTH was going on with her? He pulled her closer to him—as if that was even possible! His lips were a breath from hers, and she closed her eyes. Her body was more than willing to accept whatever he would give her, so why couldn’t her mind play along? Especially now that the FUC had thrust her into this assignment. Sitting next to a date, she’d appear pretty ridiculous all stiff and stoic. So maybe if he were going to kiss her right here and now, it wouldn’t be so bad…right?
Hot breath scorched over her lips, and she sucked in another breath. Electric heat shot through her body as she waited for Quinn’s lips to brush hers.
“You don’t have to admit anything, darlin’. Your parted lips and closed eyes say it all. You want me to kiss you.”
She found her head bobbing up and down, a total betrayal since she’d been biting her lip to keep her voice from responding with a yes.
“Not yet.”
A cool breeze came over her as his body moved away from hers. Her eyes flew open.
“What?”
“I will not kiss you yet.”
“Why?”
“Because we made a pact, and I intend to keep up my end of the bargain. I’m supposed to be convincing you to date me. Kissing you even before the first date isn’t getting things off to the right start. So I’m not going to kiss you until we’ve gone on a date.”
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