A Cold Dark Promise (Cold Justice #8.5)(42)
She leaned up to whisper in his ear. “Am I still your client?”
Reilly shook his head.
“And do you consider me in a suitable mental place to decide who to have sex with?” she asked very quietly.
He gritted his teeth against the vision her words created. “Yes.”
“Then I suggest you lock your door tonight unless you want a midnight visitor.”
His mouth went dry. “Taylor—”
“Will be fine in the room next door.”
Christ. He looked at Jane’s sweetly determined expression, and his inner resolve cracked wide open. “I’ll give you a key.”
“Thank God.”
“Amen.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Frazer fingered the small, white card with Izzy’s name on it. He’d written it while sweating it out on that boat in the Med, waiting to see whether or not Alex had been exposed to anthrax and was in danger of imminent death. He’d added a small love heart to Izzy’s name. She hadn’t noticed that she was the only one with that love heart. He hadn’t told her he’d been the one to painstakingly write half the cards at the reception.
He sipped on a glass of very expensive single malt Art Hanrahan had bought for him, a peace offering of sorts, while watching Alex and Mallory step up to get ready for their first dance as man and wife.
Izzy came up behind him, laced her fingers with his, and pulled him to his feet.
“Oh, no,” he said, realizing what was happening.
“Yes.” She said it sweetly, but there was no denying that hint of former Army captain in her tone. “It’s your last official duty.”
“Kit, save me,” he pleaded with Izzy’s little sister who sat at the table checking her phone.
“You’re on your own, pal. But if you suck I will publicly disown you.”
Frazer groaned as Izzy towed him to where Ashley Chen and Lucas Randall stood beside the dance floor. Lucas gave him a look.
Frazer gave him one back. He pulled Izzy close. “Wait here for me. If I have to suffer I’m taking you with me.”
She laughed up at him and he found himself captivated all over again by those green eyes and that elusive beauty mark near her mouth. “I thought you didn’t dance, ASAC Frazer.”
“I never said I didn’t dance. I just said I don’t like dancing.”
“Ah, a subtle difference.” She went to pull away.
“Wait for me,” he insisted.
The music started, Nina Simone’s “Feeling Good.” He held out his hand to Ashley Chen who took it graciously. Alex and Mallory began dancing and everyone clapped and cheered. Frazer had to remind himself not to start weeping.
When Alex told Frazer he thought he’d been exposed to a new strain of anthrax, Frazer’s insides had shattered. For a man who rarely let anyone close, Alex Parker had snuck under his guard remarkably quickly. Mallory, too. The idea of having to tell her Alex wasn’t coming home…best not to think about it.
He twirled Ashley onto the dance floor, and into his arms. He knew the moves thanks to his expensive private schooling, and Ashley obviously knew the steps, too.
She was a remarkable human being. Sure, she was a little cool and aloof, he didn’t generally trust people who weren’t, but Ashley’s survival story was inspiring.
Thankfully the song was a short one, and they escaped after only a minute or so. He bowed over Ashley’s hand before leading her back to Lucas, who’d been dancing with Haley Cramer.
“Nice dancing with you, Ashley.”
“You, too, boss.”
“You can call me Lincoln when we’re out of the office.”
The agent smiled in surprise. She was regaining her confidence after her secrets had been brutally revealed. He wasn’t one to let people off lightly. No point.
He spotted Izzy standing in the background. She didn’t enjoy the spotlight and that suited him fine. He indicated she come over with a curl of his finger. She raised her brow but strolled toward him. She wore a champagne colored gown that fit her body like a glove. He slid his hand over the slippery fabric and pulled her close.
She skimmed her hands up to his shoulders. “You’re actually a very good dancer.”
He smiled at her. “You sound surprised.”
“Nothing about you surprises me anymore.” She laughed.
He spun them around the dance floor and saw Kit cringe in the background. He winked at Kit and then kissed Izzy on the lips, showing her just how much he’d missed her this week. Izzy grinned when he let her come up for breath.
“I’m very good at a lot of things,” he said smugly.
“You know we have a room, right?”
“Kit has one, too, right?”
Izzy licked her lips, and he watched, riveted. “Adjoining. She’s sharing with Becca.”
Frazer nodded. “Thank God. As long as we can lock the door.”
“You have something in mind?” Izzy asked, not so innocently.
“I have plenty in mind, Dr. Campbell.”
“Maybe we should run up and make sure we have everything we need for the night?” Izzy suggested, moving even closer.
“You don’t think I’ll be missed?” asked Frazer, taking a quick look around, torn between duty and desire.