Page 109 of Release

“Exactly. I don’t want to go to a hotel, either,” I add. “They’ve all got security cameras now. Last thing I need is my face splashed on a gossip website.”

“You can come over to my place. All my household staff has Sunday afternoon and night off. We’ll have all night alone, sugar. I’ll turn off my security system for the evening so there’s no video.”

I let my smile slowly widen. “Excellent. Text me your address. Will I need a gate code to get in?”

“Let me know when you’re coming, and I’ll leave it open for you.” He texts me his address.

“Perfect.” I smile. “Seven sound okay?”

I know from his smile I’m not going to have any issues getting this done. “Sure does.”

“May I cook you dinner first? I’ve been told I’m a great cook, and I don’t often get to cook for people.”

He steps closer, a different kind of hunger gleaming in the same color brown eyes that look back at me from Declan’s face. Fortunately, my boy resembles his mother more than he does his father, while Junior resembles Senior.

“Now, that soundsrealnice,” Junior says.

The only reason I don’t hurl right where I stand is I think about the long game.

About the haunted expression in Declan’s eyes that day in the barbecue restaurant booth.

About the way his mother softly cried during our talk the day before that.

About the long look I got at Emma in the morgue, because I wanted that image fixed in my mind, not just in my boy’s.

I wanted that outrage seared into my mind, too, so I never forgot.

All these thoughts and more gird me.

I tip my head and give him a sexy, playful smile. “Any special requests or food allergies I should know about?” I already know, but I don’t want him knowing I know.

I don’t want him wondering why I’d ask someone else about that.

“No peanuts or peanut oil, and we’re good.” He chuckles. “I think my ex-wife tried to kill me by using peanut oil in some Thai recipe she made me once, but she swears it was an accident. I filed for divorce not long after that.”

I act suitably shocked. “Yikes. I don’t blame you. Let me know if you ever want to sue her. I’d be happy to handle it for you.”

“No worries. It was nearly fifteen years ago, and I had a pre-nup. I got to screw her like that.” He pats the pocket of his slacks. “And I keep one of these things on me.” Another laugh. “At least it’s not shrimp I’m allergic to. That would absolutely break my heart.”

“Well, then, I guess I’ll see you Sunday at seven.” I lean in and kiss him, taking him by surprise and leaving him breathless. Then I take a step around him toward the door, before I turn. “Oh, and if you have a preferred brand of condoms, I suggest stocking up on them, or you’ll get what I give you to use.”

He looks pouty. “Aw, sugar, you’re not gonna make me wrap up, are you?”

“I sure am, honey.” I wink. “Besides, you don’t know where I’ve been.”

That leaves him laughing behind me as I let myself out of the office. I head for the ladies’ room first, where I immediately turn off the power on the burner and pop the battery out of it. Then I brush my teeth and gargle with the little travel kit I keep in my purse.

Even doing that much with the fucker made me want to hurl, but it’s for the greater good. The long game.

And that’s what I’ll keep reminding myself.

* * * *

Aussie and Ashleigh are a little surprised to see me show up at their dorm late Friday evening, but I come bearing gifts—several bags of their favorite coffee and a basket of gourmet cookies from a little bakery not far from work. It’s not unusual for me to drop by and visit them, but it is later than I usually stop by, and I normally call first.

Her EPU team is off-duty. Once she’s in for the night, they go home. The dorm is safe, and the campus police know who she is and run extra patrols around it. If she wants to leave campus outside anything already scheduled, she calls for an EPU escort.

Fortunately, Ashleigh and Aussie are homebodies. Since they’re still keeping their relationship a secret from most of the world, they prefer staying behind a locked door, where they can be themselves with each other.