Page 49 of Secret Silver Nights

She saved, deleted and skipped until she got to Niko’s message, which was next to last. “Hello, movie star. Give me a call.”

Laughing, she started to redial him right away but decided to listen to the last message:

“Hey, Mo. I finally got over being upset with you and wanted to call. You’re undoubtedly busy, but buzz me when you can. I want to hear all about the concert.”

Monique exhaled, relieved that Rob was no longer angry and that he wasn’t making a case for winning her back. This message sounded normal. Finally, she hoped, he’d accepted what was.

She scrolled her contact list and dialed Niko. “Hey.”

“Hello.”

“I see you’ve got time to run around town and spy on your opponents. You must not have enough to do.”

“My campaign office is downtown, Ms. Slater. Stopping by the bakery was a last-minute decision.”

“You weren’t at the bakery when I saw you. You were watching me in action, trying to get tips.”

“Yes, I was enjoying the performance. But I left because I was making you nervous. Don’t try to deny it.”

“I wasn’t going to.”

Monique looked at her caller ID as another call came in. “Look, it’s the office calling. I’ve got to run.”

“Are you all right? You sound stressed.”

“A little bit.”

“I can help with that.”

“I’d love that, actually. But the thought that someone would find out about it stresses me more.”

“But otherwise you’d see me?”

“Of course. I’ll talk to you later.”

It was after nine o’clock when Monique finally returned home. The day had been productive but exhausting, a constant balancing act between the upcoming election and her casework. Lance was trying to recruit more volunteers for these last few months of campaigning. She’d be glad when it was over. All work and no play was taking its toll.

After fixing a sandwich, she called Rob. “I hope you don’t mind my eating while we talk,” she began after saying hello. “I just got home.”

“I worry about how hard you work.”

“This pace won’t last forever.”

“How are your chances looking to win this thing?”

“My numbers are climbing, but there’s still a long way to go. Since I’m not from here, I not only have to sell my platform but myself, as well. People vote for who they feel they know. So I’ve had to put in overtime. How are you?”

“Keeping busy. I went to a couple Dodgers games.”

“Sounds like fun.”

“How was the concert?”

They talked comfortably for almost half an hour. She told him about the Silver Serenade. He caught her up on the goings-on of mutual friends. Once again, it felt like old times. Monique hoped their interactions would stay this way.

At ten o’clock, she crawled into bed. The usual tossing and turning ensued, so she lay there mapping out the next day’s activities in her head. Suddenly, a thud sounded against the back of her house. She listened, lifted her head off the pillow and held her breath. There it was again. Her phone rang, startling her further.

“Hello?” A mumbling sound was all she heard. “Niko?”

Then, just above a whisper, “Back door. Let me in.”

No way. Not even bothering to throw a robe over her thigh-high T-shirt, she marched downstairs. If this man had come over to her house unannounced…

Reaching the patio door, she snatched it open. Niko, dressed in black from head to toe, hurried inside, closing the blinds behind her.

“What in the—”

The rest of her question was swallowed in a kiss.

“Don’t say a word,” he ordered, after thoroughly tasting her. “Not until I’m finished.”

He took her hand and headed for the stairs. She was too shocked to do anything but follow. They reached her bedroom.

He nodded toward her T-shirt. “Take that off.”

Something about the way he said it, brooking no argument, was a total turn-on. Most of the time she was the one giving orders. Right now, following them felt like a wise idea. She pulled the oversize cotton top over her head.

“Lie down.” He reached into a pouch strapped around his waist. “On your stomach.”

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