Alex uncrossed his legs and tried to resettle himself into a more comfortable spot in his seat. The antique couches that lined the lobby were nice to look at, but they weren’t exactly plush. The cushions were painfully thin and the backings were as hard as stone. It wasn’t the type of thing he usually minded. He’d done surveillance in much worse conditions for longer periods of time without a single complaint.
He couldn’t blame his lack of sleep. Sure, he’d only dipped in and out of the lightest sleep last night. His mind had buzzed, working out the details in this new little wrinkle in his assignment. That this new wrinkle happened to be an attractive and intriguing woman sleeping not twenty feet from him had nothing to do with it. But Alex knew from experience what sleep deprivation felt like, and this wasn’t it.
No, what had him squirming in his seat was the look in her eyes as she’d left the room this morning. She was scared.
He could understand why she would be scared of him. It was a perfectly rational reaction. But that wasn’t it. Not entirely.
She was scared for him.
No one ever worried about him. No one. Ever.
All morning he'd struggled against the urge to reach out and pull her close. To wrap his arms around her and feel that soft mouth under his again. He’d passed it off as simple lust, something he understood well. But with that one look, she had floored him. He didn’t know what to make of it. He didn’t know how to feel.
Sitting in the windowsill, she'd been so open. So truthful. She'd thought of him when she didn't have to. She'd bought him breakfast after all the trouble and confusion he had caused. It was funny to think about it, but that muffin might have been the sexiest thing he'd ever seen.
Alex picked up the tablet at his side and pretended to read. He had to get back to thinking about his assignment, instead of a pair of soulful brown eyes.
He’d been in this spot for an hour now, and no one familiar or suspicious had passed by. He hadn't really expected any action. John’s DHS team had all the entrances and exits covered. They would let him know if anyone of interest was on the move. If anything was going to happen this morning between the Munoz’s and his CIA leak it was doubtful that it would happen in clear view of the lobby.
He could have complained that he’d wasted a whole morning, but that wasn't why he was down here on this ridiculous excuse for a couch. Not really.
Beth had gone down to the spa with the rest of the bridesmaids, and, once she was done, she would have to come through the lobby. He hadn’t figured out what he was going to say when he saw her. He hadn’t even made up his mind if he was going to approach her at all. He didn't want to antagonize her if she still looked upset.
But he did want to see her. For some reason that had become very important.
Alex turned his head at the sound of heels clicking on marble. Beth was in the middle of a group of women making their way up the stairs. She was laughing, but her smile was still tight. Worry lines were etched around her eyes and forehead. Her body was tense.
She gave Isobel Munoz a long hug, and then broke away from the pack. Alex tucked away his tablet, and rose, following close behind as she made her way to the front door of the lobby.
“Beth,” he said when he had almost caught up to her. She turned around warily.
“Hey,” she said. She didn't stop walking.
He fell into step beside her. “Where are you going?”
“I have an errand to run for Isobel.”
“You want some company?” he asked.
That made her stop. She looked at him long and hard. She was worried he was dangerous. And he was. He wouldn't lie to her and tell her otherwise. The truth was he was far more dangerous than she could ever imagine.
The only thing he could do was assure her that he would never harm her. And he never would. Never. That she would even think it a possibility cut him deeper than he wanted to admit.
The look in her eyes was all apology when she opened her mouth. Before she could say a word, Spencer and Jordan Masterson walked out of the café. Jordan came over and clapped Alex on the back.
“Hey guys, how are you?” he asked.
“Just fine,” Alex said.
Spencer Masterson stayed where he was. His eyes were on Beth, and Alex didn't much like what he saw in them. He was like a child who didn't like seeing some other kid playing with his toy. There was a mix of jealousy and, more concerning, anger. This was a man who didn't like to be shown up. And he blamed Beth for his humiliation.
Alex hooked his arm around Beth's, and met Spencer's gaze full on. After a second, Spencer looked away, but none of his petty displeasure had subsided.
“Where are you guys off to?” Jordan Masterson asked.
“We have some errands to run,” Alex said.
Beth's eyes narrowed, but she didn't say a word.
“Isobel's hooked you into running around for her again?” Spencer asked Beth.
Beth's smile was strained and shaky. She was a terrible actress.
“I don't mind,” she said.
“That’s right. We don't mind at all,” Alex said looking Spencer straight in the eye. His stare was enough to drain some of the swagger out of the cocky son-of-a-bitch.
Some, but not all.
“You’d better be careful, Charlie. Beth doesn’t like guys who speak for her,” he said.
“Really? Because from what I’ve heard, you were never really the best judge of her likes and dislikes.”
“Boys,” Beth said, rolling her eyes. She was obviously annoyed with the pair of them. “Why do you even care what I’m doing, Spencer? Don’t you have plans of your own?”
A slow smile spread across his face. He looked Alex up and down. “Yeah, I’ve got a few things of my own to look into today.”
“Good luck with that,” Alex said, hooking his arm around Beth’s tense back and leading her toward the hotel doors.
***