Secret Indiscretions (Sue Thomas FBEye)

Chapter Eight

If there was one adjective Kavina wouldn't use to describe agent Manning it would be discreet. He blatantly followed her taxi to her hotel.

She entered the lobby, but instead of heading towards the elevator, she walked to the public phone near the lounge. She dialled, and while she waited for the connection, she scanned the entrance. She wasn't overly surprised to see the tall agent come in, and march directly to the front desk. When she received no answer she hung up and quietly sneaked behind him.

"If it's my room number you're trying to coax from the poor employee," she whispered to his ear only to have him abruptly turn around, "it's 908, agent Manning."

Relieved to be off the hook, the front desk employee retreated to a safe distance.

"Is that so?" Manning asked, highly sceptical.

"Yes, but no one is home. I'm going to have dessert at the restaurant, would you like to accompany me, or will you be watching from the doorway while I eat?" And without waiting for a reply she left him.

He watched her disappear behind the elevator doors.

"Restaurant is one floor up, sir," whispered the hotel employee. "And her room number is really 908."

"Thanks, mate." He grinned all the way up the stairs.

With long black hair, pulled up by a clip that begged for release, dark brown eyes, bronze skin and an ingenuous smile, she was a very attractive woman, Bobby observed.

"You decided to join me?"

"Following you all night made me hungry." He needed to add her clear laughter to the list of qualities.

He was quite handsome, she couldn't help admire, and those dimples... she sighed, lowering her head down her menu, searching for something to satisfy her craving.

"A chocolate cheesecake, please."

"A coffee," he asked, having the distinct impression he wouldn't be going to bed anytime soon.

"You know, I'm still not sure if I should be flattered or worried by the attention you're showing me, agent Manning," she told him frankly.

"Depends how much you have to hide," he replied tactfully.

"Aside from my sister and mother's suggestive comments?" she said, still embarrassed by the entire confrontation. To her astonishment he burst out laughing. "It wasn't funny, agent Manning. Tosca can be shameless when she puts her mind to it."

"Kavina," he said, using her name for the first time, and very much liking the sound of it. "I hate to disappoint you, but my partner and I have heard worse... much worse," he assured her.

She nodded, not quite meeting his eyes.

"I'm serious, Kavina. Your sister's comments were harmless."

"Kav," she whispered.

"I beg your pardon," he said, not having heard correctly.

"Kav," she repeated before she faltered. "My friends call me, Kav."

"Kav... my friends call me, Bobby," he volunteered, suddenly noticing the cup of coffee that had materialised out of thin air in front of him.

"And what do your enemies call you?" she teased, her fork digging in the creamy concoction.

"My enemies call their lawyer," he replied, almost making her choke on her cake. "Sorry, I didn't think it was that funny."

"I must be tired then," she chuckled. "Am I meeting the profile of some most wanted criminals, Bobby?"