Kate entered first. Expertly decorated, the suite contained a sitting room, sleeping chamber and a large bathroom with a shower big enough to fit two.
Montana set the briefcase on a desk in the corner and flipped the spring-loaded latches. He opened the case and extracted a small monitor Kate recognized as the kind shed used to check for surveillance devices. Bugs.
Do you need to freshen up before we meet with Mica? Montana asked, as he crossed to her and slipped the monitor into her palm.
Sure, but you can go first. She leaned up on her toes and pressed a kiss to his lips.
His irises flared and he caught her arm. Ill only be a minute. Then he kissed her full on the lips.
Reeling from the rush of searing passion from the kiss, Kate stood in the middle of the room until Montana entered the bathroom and closed the door behind him.
Having been warned that they couldnt trust anyone, Kate had to assume even their room could be bugged. Until she swept the room to determine whether or not there were listening devices, she had to play the part.
While Montana took his time in the bathroom, she walked around the room, pretending to examine the decorations, all the while carrying the monitor in her palm. The alarm vibrated against her hand when she neared the nightstand on the right side of the bed. She leaned close and flicked the light on. A tiny metal object clung to the inside of the shade. First bug.
When she walked to the other side of the bed and leaned over the nightstand, the monitor again vibrated in her hand. As she switched on the light, she noted a second bug clinging to the inside of that shade. Walking through every part of the room and the adjoining suite, she located two more listening devices and a miniature camera affixed to the chandelier in the sitting room.
By the time shed completed a thorough sweep, the bathroom door opened and Montana emerged.
Kate hurried toward him, plastering a smile on her face. She flung her arms around him and pulled his head down for a kiss.
Mmm. To what do I owe the pleasure? Montana wrapped his arms around her waist and held her close.
She leaned back. Do I have to have a reason to kiss my husband?
No. He bent and kissed her, then nuzzled her neck. Whats up?
Bugs on both nightstands, she whispered in his ear, then nibbled his earlobe. Mmm. Maybe we should skip dinner with Mica and stay here for dessert.
You dont have to twist my arm, Montana responded.
Camera in the chandelier and two more bugs in the sitting room, she breathed into his ear.
Montana gave her a very slight nod. Mmm, you smell delicious, he said aloud. Then in a whisper Kate had to strain to hear, he added, Leave them or destroy?
Her pulse hammering and her blood burning through her system, Kate struggled to push away from Montana. Wed better leave. Mica will be expecting us.
Agreed. He kissed her once more and set her at arms length. We can pick up where we left off, later.
Kates breath hitched in her chest and she hastily turned away before she fell back into the SEALs strong arms. Just the thought of picking up where theyd left off made her heart skip several beats and then run on like shed just finished a marathon.
I need to powder my nose, she said, and dodged into the bathroom. A quick scan with the monitor located one more bug behind the mirror. After shed located it, she took a moment to stare at her reflection, surprised at what she saw. Never had she looked so much like a model ready to hit the runway. This wasnt the Kate she knew. Nothing about the face staring back at her was familiar. Especially the way she felt inside.
Yes, she could understand her attraction to the SEAL. After all, he was built like a fighting machine, solid and muscular, with the bonus of being ruggedly handsome.
Hadnt she learned her lesson about falling for her partner? She wasnt a brand-new agent with stars in her eyes. Been there...done that...got the demotion to prove it.
Kate applied a fresh coat of lipstick, straightened her shoulders and marched out of the bathroom.
This assignment might prove to be the hardest one shed ever undertaken. But shed be damned if she went down without a fight. Even if she was fighting herself.