Page 190 of Dark Duet: Platinum Edition

“Seriously, what are we going to say?” I held her hand as I focused on the road.

“Well, it’s just like writing. You start with what you know, and what I know is the best lies are rooted in the truth. Your name is James. You were born in Portland, Oregon. You’re twenty-seven, well-traveled, and we’ve been seeing each other for a month and a half.”

I laughed.

“Been thinking about it, have you? My passport doesn’t say James. Also, in the event your FBI friends come poking around, I’m not sure having James Cole in your life is going to go unnoticed. Then there’s what do I do for a living? Why do I have an accent if I grew up in America? What’s my family like? Do I have any hobbies?” I slowly watched the enthusiasm fade from Livvie’s face. I felt like shit. “I’m sorry, Livvie. I know you deserve better, but I just don’t know how you think we can pull this off.”

She was quiet for the rest of the ride back to my hotel. We stripped and climbed into bed. I pulled her close. I could practically hear the gears turning in her head.

“We tell them we’re both in witness protection,” she said. “We aren’t supposed to be together, but we couldn’t stand to be apart. The FBI wants you to turn over evidence that belongs to another country. That’s why Reed was poking around and I’ve been so secretive about where I’m spending my nights. They can never tell anyone about us. As far as they’re concerned, we met atThe Paseo. They love me, Caleb. They’ll keep our secret.”

I shook my head.

“Do you really think that will work? It seems far-fetched.”

“No more so than the truth.”

I considered her words carefully. It could work if her friends could truly be trusted, but I didn’t know them from anyone. I’d have to check them out thoroughly, keep an eye on them. Livvie wouldn’t like it. I’d have to keep it from her, but it was better than getting ambushed down the line. Rafiq was with me for twelve years before I found out he couldn’t be trusted. I was never going to make that mistake again.

“We’ll wait on telling them about witness protection. We’ll avoid details beyond my name, where we met, and what I do. If all goes well, we can tell them the ‘truth’ later.”

“What are you going to tell them about your job?”

“I’ll tell them I’m independently wealthy. I have a trust fund. I’ve traveled since I was a boy and that’s why my accent is strange. I’m twenty-seven, well-traveled, and we’ve been seeing each other for a month and a half.” I kissed the top of Livvie’s head.

“Thank you, Caleb.”

“You’re welcome, Kitten.” I reached for her breast and traced her nipple with my thumb. I kissed her throat when she sighed, tilting her head to the side to allow me access. My hand slid from her breast, down her ribs, and over her ass until I palmed her flesh and squeezed. “You owe me though,” I whispered against her neck.

“Mmm. What do you want?” She mimicked my actions and palmed my ass. She was oddly obsessed with my body. I couldn’t complain.

“I want several things.” I sucked the flesh of her shoulder into my mouth. She arched her body against me, rubbing her tits against my chest. Her fingers dug into the flesh of my ass. “Let’s start with you moving your hand and putting it somewhere a little more useful.” She giggled softly.

“I like where it is.” She spanked me. It was loud, but it didn’t hurt. I laughed.

“In your fucking dreams, Kitten. But if it’s spanking you enjoy, allow me to indulge you.” I let my hand fall on her ass solidly. The force caused her to push closer to me.

“No!” she yelped and squirmed in my grasp. “No, Caleb. I swear to God!” She was laughing, but also panicked. I let her go and she did exactly as I’d hoped—she ran. Her naked body bounded over me onto the floor and she took off toward the living room with a squeal.

I gave chase.

“You’re going to make security come up here,” I taunted from one side of the sofa. Livvie was on the other side, countering every move I made in either direction. She was laughing maniacally, half excited, half frightened.

“Good. I’ll tell them you’re trying to spank me. Pervert!”

“You love it. You’re the pervert!” I pushed the sofa toward her, upsetting her balance. I lunged, but she backed away and made a run toward the dining room table. I paid an ungodly amount for the room. I didn’t give a shit if we destroyed it.

“Stop chasing me!”

“Stop running.”

She circled the table, tossing down the chairs as she went. Her nipples were hard little pebbles I couldn’t keep my eyes from as her full breasts jiggled and swayed with her movements.

“You promise not to spank me?”

I grinned.

“Not a fucking chance.” I watched her carefully as she kept going around the table, stepping over the backs of the chairs she’d knocked over. If I made my move too soon, she could run toward the bedroom and subsequently lock herself in the bathroom. On the other side of the table, her back was to the wall. I let her enjoy the thrill of evading me for one last turn around the table. I leapt on top of the table, startling her. She backed up and hit the wall with her back. I jumped down and pinned her.