Chapter 14
"I think I'm in love." I ran my fingers on the silk patchwork quilt covering the bed. Home for the night included a fluffy king-sized bed, a cast iron fireplace and a private balcony to view the snowy mountains come morning. Creature comforts I hadn't experienced in custody.
Sam caught my gaze and smiled. "Fully stocked bar, too. I've learned to order ahead."
Exactly how often had he stayed in the Honeymoon suites to make this his "usual" room? Not that I was jealous—he'd obviously been here with his fake wife, Mallory—but because I couldn't fathom her staying in a romantic setting with anyone, male or female, sporting a pulse.
"Back to work, buddy." He led Max corner-to-corner, conducting seek work. And not for drugs.
"Hard to imagine anyone wanting to blow up such a beautiful place."
"Occasionally, even I'm shocked by the evil shit people do."
I opened the door to the balcony and inhaled the frigid, fresh mountain air, absorbed the view of half-frozen Lake Placid. I felt the pull to step outside, but remained glued to the doorway.
Sam's arm crossed in front of me. "Let's stay behind solid walls for now. We've had enough surprises for one day." He glanced into the darkness, then closed and locked the balcony door, jerking the handle to check the tight seal within the frame.
"Thought the FBI had the place to itself."
"Not exactly."
"I really hate when you say that."
Cupping my hips with his warm hands, Sam said, "Tonight's invite list included enough Feds that Boss signed off on our tagging along. But I don't know all these agents. Don't know, don't trust. And then there's the groom's side of the invite list..." He walked me backwards till my back bumped a counter against the wall. My hands skimmed up the edges of his lapels.
"At least you've been here before, Mr. Wainright, so you know the territory." I raised my eyebrow, teasing him as I tugged his tie loose. "Just do me one little favor, and tell me you didn't sleep in that bed with Agent Mallory."
"Nope. Didn't sleep a wink." He tickled me when he saw my cranky reaction and shimmied closer to my hips. "She took the bed, while I tossed and turned on that couch in the corner, thinking of you."
"Sure." I searched his eyes, wondering when he'd stayed here. I'd assumed his interludes at this lodge predated our rendezvous in New York.
"Boss sent us up a few days ago to surveil the locale, the employees. Had all night to think up new ways to devour your body." He hummed into my neck with his lips.
"So Vilet didn't separate us to punish me." I breathed relief. That explained his knowledge of the manager.
"Nope. Punishing you is my job."
"That's definitely not funny."
Sam pulled my chin center. "I'm on your side now. Remember that."
"Maybe I need a stronger reminder."
His moist lips welcomed me to the romantic setting. His hot, demanding tongue and groping hands made me forget what the hell we'd been arguing about, made me care even less for the fancy surroundings. Down came the shoulder straps of my dress, permitting Sam more territory to roam, as my fingers worked his tie out of that damned knot.
"We need to be downstairs," he whispered, trailing his fingers lower to my décolletage.
"You're the one winding me up."And after the long, stimulating car ride, I was game.
