End Game (Will Robie #5)(67)

“Just a nightcap, Agent Robie. That’s all.”

“Where?”

“I’ve got a bottle for special occasions at the office.”

Now that the night’s proposed agenda was fully out there, Robie had a decision to make.

His professional instincts were telling him very clearly what to do. Or rather what not to do. Another part of his thoughts drifted to the hotel across the street and to the room Reel was in.

He came back to Malloy when he felt her fingers touch his hand.

“Just a nightcap, Agent Robie. I think we deserve it. Never know when another opportunity will come up.”

The rub of flesh on flesh did not decide the issue for him.

He thought back to the note left in his apartment by Reel.

It’s complicated.

Well, tonight, right this minute, it’s not. It’s pretty simple, actually.

Robie put some money down on the table for the beers. They got up and walked out, her soft hip lightly bumping his as they made their way across the street.

In her office she retrieved the bottle of gin and a smaller bottle of tonic plus two glasses. Malloy took the glasses and mixed the drinks, giving generous pours of the gin for each. “I generally like mine on the rocks, but there you go,” she said. “No ice here.”

They drank their glasses down with her perched on the desk and Robie leaning against the wall and intently watching her.

He had to make an effort at professionalism, even if his heart wasn’t in it. Even if he knew he was going to eventually succumb to the temptation presenting itself right in front of him.

He set his glass down. “I better get going. Thanks for the nightcap.”

“I’ll go with you.”

“Where?”

“Next door.”

“Next door?”

“Yes. Follow me.”

When he made no movement, she edged closer to him.

“You want to say something?” she asked.

“You’re a very attractive woman.”

“That’s very sweet of you to notice.”

“So where does that leave us?” asked Robie.

She looked at him hungrily. “Let’s go, Agent Robie. I know what I want and so do you.”

They exited the station through a rear door and walked over to the B&B. She used a key to open the front door and they went inside.

As soon as the door closed behind them, Malloy turned to him and kissed him, her tongue flicking inside his mouth.

She tugged on his arm, pulling him down the hall and toward the stairs.

“You always this forward?” he said, stumbling after her.

“I’m from New York, so that would be a yes.”

They walked down the hall and underfoot Robie heard the crunch of the glass shattered during the gunfight with the skinheads. The windows had been boarded up with plywood, but Robie could see the bullet holes in the front door and walls.

They reached the upstairs and she led him into a room and shut the door.

She had put the gin, tonic, and glasses in a bag. She took them out and mixed fresh drinks. She handed him his and took a sip of hers. “Bombay Sapphire, only way to go with gin.”

Robie’s brain was seriously starting to wobble. He sipped his and said, “Nice.”

“Oh, it’s about to get much nicer,” she said slyly.

She put her glass down and, steadying herself by gripping his shoulder, reached down and slipped off her heels. “I don’t see how girls walk in these all day,” she said, rubbing her foot and then dropping the shoes on the floor.

She unzipped her dress and stepped out of it.

No bra and a light blue thong.

Her breasts were full, her hips soft, and her backside—revealed as she did a slow pirouette for him—round and firm, the skin pale and smooth.

She took his glass away from him and set it down next to hers before turning back around and pushing up against him.

“You’re a lot taller without my heels on,” she said, grinning, her eyes half-lidded. She closed and opened them slowly. The look was making Robie even more light-headed.

“I g-guess so,” said Robie, his voice cracking.

Malloy put her arms around his neck. “Not the official uniform, but I hope you like it anyway.”

“I like it,” said Robie quietly. “A lot.”

She kissed him again, their tongues meeting. “I like you. A lot.”

“You sure you’re in complete possession of your faculties, Valerie? I don’t want to take advantage.”

“I know exactly what I’m doing, Agent Robie. There will be no regrets in the morning. At least on my end. I hope the same for you.”

“You can call me Will.”

“I will, Will.”

She kissed him more deeply and ran her fingers through his hair, tugging gently on some strands. That simple maneuver sent shockwaves through Robie’s body. He inhaled her scent, coconut shampoo from her hair, a delicate aroma of vanilla from her skin, the hard bite of gin from her lips.

Her fingers undid his shirt buttons, while his clenched her butt and pulled anxiously at the thong.

She kissed his chest and worked her way down. Her hand slipped lower and she gripped him. Next, she moved up to his belt and methodically worked it loose while his mouth dipped to her chest. He pulled her closer. She undid his zipper and the pants came down. He stepped out of his shoes and used one hand to wrench his trousers off.