Deadly Testimony (Safeguard #2)(66)

“Unnecessary exposure for innocent bystanders.” He was teasing, she knew. Though, looking at the smile playing around his lips, he might not be joking about the interested couples.

Hey, to each their own.

“Are you the type to...have fun in groups?” Fine. She was distracted. Momentarily. But she did want to know the answer.

He leaned over her. “Are you?”

She shrugged. “Never occurred to me. I like my fun intense and personal.”

He chuckled. “I’ve had the pleasure of entertaining a few close friends in the past, I’ll admit. It can be an experience of a lifetime with skilled partners. But for the most part, I’ve satisfied my curiosity on the possibilities. I’m inclined to agree with you.”

“Huh.” No idea what to say to that. She took the time to scan the room again, noting familiar faces in contrast to new ones. Mostly, it was to buy her time. Unfortunately, he seemed to be waiting for a response. “Okay, I asked because I was wondering about your history again. I don’t know why I keep asking. It’s not like I think you having an active lifestyle is wrong or anything.”

He pressed his elbow tighter against his side, squeezing her hand briefly without being obvious. “I am delighted when you ask anything about me. Your interest is flattering and your lack of jealousy to accompany it is a relief. I wish I could return the favor, but to be frank, the idea of someone else touching you brings out a very ugly side of me.”

She was caught without an immediate comeback. Hell, she almost stopped in her tracks.

Kyle cleared his throat. “I realize I don’t have the right to the sentiment, but it’s there.”

Her stomach flip-flopped and a tightness unwound in her chest. “Since we’re being honest, I have to admit that I don’t mind. It actually makes me feel wanted.”

She was alternately appalled and amused by her own reaction. This was definitely headed into relationship territory, something she’d avoided for as long as she could remember. Relationships were like missions. The more complicated they got, the more likely they were to end badly.

“And I’m also not immune to being jealous.” She tipped her head so she could look up at him. “I don’t get my panties in a twist over your past adventures because it’s done and before you ever met me. Random flirting is what it is. But the minute you’re seriously tempted by someone else, we’re going to find out how well I actually handle jealousy. It’ll be a new adventure for both of us.”

And wouldn’t that be fun.

No, it wouldn’t. Her stomach churned.

He blinked, then chuckled. “Your thought process is singularly unique.”

He stopped and stepped around to face her, right there in the middle of the hallway. “Here and now, I am singularly captivated by you. I am very glad I haven’t had to share you with anyone for the past few days and I hope very much to keep this going.” He placed his hands on her shoulders and leaned in for a kiss.

She gave it to him, and along with it, a piece of herself.

“I don’t even know what to ask for,” he murmured. “So I’ll enjoy this. Time with you.”

His lips were hot against hers, his breath mixed with her own in a dizzying combination. With effort, she stepped back and took in enough air to clear her head. Stepping forward to take his arm again, she pulled them back into a stroll.

Time was about the only thing definable in this whole situation. They had a very little bit and there was no way to know what would happen in it.

“Glad you’re enjoying it.” She made a quiet, rude noise.

He outright laughed. “Thank you for sharing it with me.”

And she was sharing with him. Not her usual behavior with any man, either on a mission or casually on a date. Communicating any more than the bare minimum was usually an awkward, conscious effort. But Kyle Yeun had a way of inviting her to confide in him by offering himself. He’d been open with her about his lifestyle, his wrongs, his intentions to make a better life, his family. All of it.

They did make their way to the front desk, after a pause in an alcove off the main hallway for some judicious kissing. She let him request the room, then coax the desk manager to find one for them when the initial response had been disappointing. Kyle not only turned on his charm, but also took on a sharp business edge too. In a few minutes, the desk manager was handing over hotel room keys with assurances of a late checkout noted on the room.

Nice touch.

But Kyle withdrew as they got in the elevator and farther away from people watching them. By the time they stepped out into the hallway, he was passive and thoughtful.

She led him down the hall and to the room, using the key to gain entrance and clearing the hotel room as she’d done with him in the past.

“You should be pretty comfortable here.” It was a spacious room, decorated with a modern touch. “No Frederick to keep you company, but Victoria and Marc should be here in a few minutes.”

“They watched us check in.” Kyle was undoing his tie as he walked around the room. His words were given in a distracted, halfhearted attempt to keep up his side of the conversation.

She narrowed her eyes and waited until he stopped and met her gaze. “Is there a reason we should stop right now?”

“No!” Anger, temper, something flashed in his eyes. “This is...damn! I need my family safe. And I need to testify. You and your people are helping me. I’m thinking about all of that.”