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“We wasted most of the morning with the tour and getting you two up to speed on the Star Stabber and all that boring junk. If you want to unpack, then grab anything you want to eat from the kitchen, we’ll head to the first high school at two-thirty.” Beau had explained that his personal shopper would have a variety of fresh food for breakfast and lunch options and his chef would cook for them each night. The cleaning service came by every afternoon, scheduled for when he was at practice, or this week at the school visits. That was only a fraction of the staff, all of whom were points of interest for the Star Stabber. So far, no red flags had come up on anyone.
“Sounds good. We’ll meet you downstairs,” Ike said.
“Yep.” Beau sauntered off, heading down the hall and then turning toward the stairs up to his suite. He gave Myra one more longing look before he disappeared.
“You all right?” Myra asked, leaning against the doorframe of her suite.
“I want to rip him apart piece by piece,” Ike admitted, looking away from where Beau had disappeared and focusing on her beautiful face. It wasn’t hard to focus on her. Not at all.
“I could tell. I think it was a good act, very convincing that you’re into me.” Her voice was teasing, but her smile slid away quickly as they studied each other. He needed to leave, or he’d admit he hadn’t been acting at all.
Ike dragged her suitcase into her room, brushing against her arm on accident.
Okay, maybe not on accident.
“Pardon me,” he murmured, setting her suitcase and computer bag inside the door and then backing out.
Myra reached out as he drew even with her, wrapped her arms around him, and molded her body against his.
Ike startled. What was she doing and why was she doing it?
Instantly he was hot, cold, lit up, disoriented. He didn’t know what he was supposed to do, how to react, why he was here in her arms. He did know that he didn’t want this moment to end. It also seemed prudent to return the favor, wrap her up tight, and hold her for a very long time.
But he couldn’t.
Ike forced himself not to move an inch, though he did savor the feel of her pressed against him.
From what he’d observed, Myra didn’t act unprofessional or hug the male ops. Did this mean he was special to her, or was she practicing for their fake dating act?
“Thank you,” she murmured, her breath warm against his neck. She leaned back and met his gaze. “I’m not afraid of him. I think he’s actually a good guy, but he’s over the top with all his sultry looks and flirtation.”
Ike agreed, and realized the hug was an expression of gratitude. What could he do next to help her feel grateful? He’d never seen the ultra-tough Woman Warrior rely on anyone.
“But I don’t think he’ll bother me with how great you acted at being overprotective, even growling at him and threatening him.” She smiled up at him.
That look. It hit him right in the gut. As if he was her hero, her entire world, her love.
“I especially liked the removing his middle fingers line.”
“Thanks,” he managed.
She released him, and her gaze grew serious. “I wasn’t happy that you faked that I knocked you down and let me win.”
Ike lifted his brows. What was he supposed to do?
“I don’t want any favors because I’m a woman.”
Now his eyes widened. He’d never worked with a female security specialist. Was he going to be walking on eggshells if he got her door or watched out for her? He scrubbed at his beard and said too gruffly, “I’m not going to stop being a gentleman.”
She folded her arms across her chest. “For the fake dating act?”
“Because it’s part of who I am.” He wasn’t backing down on this.
Myra drew in a breath and pushed it out. The look in her eyes said he was treading on her last nerve. He almost smiled. She was a strong, independent woman, but she’d been more than accommodating around him. Apparently this issue was one that spiked her blood pressure.
“Because we are ‘dating,’ I’ll let it slide.” She gave him a determined look. “But don’t treat me like some simpering wimp. I might not be able to best you, but I am more than proficient in all facets of security, and the sooner you learn to rely on my skills as a partner and not go all heroic man on me, the better it will be for our job and everybody involved.”
It was quite the speech. How many times had she had to give it? She was fighting an uphill battle as one of the few top female security specialists in a male-dominated field.
