Chapter Twenty-Nine
Night had fallen when Hagan awoke. Vibrant lights peppered the view out their window, illuminating their bedroom.
Amanda slept by his side with an ankle hooked over his shin, her dark hair spread over her pillow.
She slept soundly. He’d never seen her unaware and unprepared.
How exhausting were her burdens to carry?
Hagan shifted to his side. Amanda murmured when her foot fell from his leg, then burrowed herself against him.
He tipped his head to the side and wondered what he could do to lighten her torment.
The urge to protect her was fierce, but years of security jobs and black ops hadn’t prepared him for a fight he couldn’t see.
Amanda stirred and nuzzled against his bare skin. Satisfaction burned in his chest. Hagan was content to let her sleep because he had no doubt that when she woke, there’d be business to attend to.
“You’re awake,” she whispered.
His fingers trailed down her shoulder. “I wanted to let you sleep.”
She sighed and snuggled. Peaceful. He wondered how she slept alone and if this was different with him. A possessive part of him assured Hagan that it was. True or not, he wanted to quiet her demons again and again.
“I have a few things to do.”
His hand ran down her back as she stretched. The arch of her spine and swell of her ass gave him a quick reminder of the things on his list. It was a very physical list—and should’ve been the first thing on his mind when he woke up with a naked woman clinging to his side.
He’d process that later, watching as Amanda became more alert. Her watchful guard settled into place; then she rolled away, wrapped a sheet around her breasts, and left their bed.
Reluctantly, Hagan did the same, sans sheet, and redressed. He found Amanda pressed to the window that overlooked the sea-green water of a shimmering, lighted pool. “The view’s not too shabby.”
“I usually don’t take time to notice the pool.”
He massaged her shoulders. “Now that you have, want to go for a swim?”
She leaned back. “I don’t know why I did tonight.”
“Because your subconscious wants to go swimming with me.”
She turned and wrapped her arms around his neck. “This is very comfortable.”
“I noticed that.”
She pressed her cheek to his heart. “Is that a problem?”
His definition of a problem didn’t lend itself to the lush way she molded to his body. “Why would it be?”
Her shoulders bunched. “What if this trip blurs what’s real and not?”
He hadn’t given a single thought to what their cover had been. Had she? Hagan touched her chin and lifted her gaze. “Did you want me to touch you?”
“Yes.”
“Then explain what you meant.”
“When we go home, back to normal … ” Amanda nibbled on her lip and then squared her shoulders. “I have to work. Want to help?”
“Sure.” He’d circle back to home and normal later. “What do you need me to do?”
Amanda held her finger to her lips and walked into their suite’s living room. She extracted two devices from her suitcase and handed one to him.
He recognized the technology used to sweep for listening devices and bugs. “The fun begins.”
If there was a bug, he doubted she’d remove it. Better to know someone was listening than to tip their hand—even if that meant he and Amanda had offered an earful.
They moved methodically through the honeymoon suite as though they’d been a team for years, quickly finishing without a single concern. She tucked the devices into her suitcase again.
“What other tricks do you have hidden in there?” Hagan leaned on the counter and sifted through a pile of sightseeing brochures.
“You’ll have to wait and see.”
Hagan whistled. “No wonder Boss Man and Parker keep you stashed away. You’re their secret weapon.”
She quietly laughed. “I do have a serious thing for surveillance and security.”
“And for keeping secrets,” he said. Then he added, “You know what we should do?”
Annoyed, she eyed him. “What?”
“Eat.”
Her brow furrowed. “I don’t know if you’re changing the subject because that was a cheap shot or because you’re always hungry.”
“I’m a big guy.” Hagan laughed, then found a leather-bound booklet that highlighted the casino and hotel offerings.
“And you make me burn a lot of energy.” He took a seat on the couch, perusing the dining options.
The casino and hotel had several restaurants, and he immediately disregarded two that required a tie and jacket.
“We haven’t even broached the good stuff yet.
” He glanced at her wide eyes, then winked.
“I …” She dropped her chin and shook her head, then laughing, asked, “What are we doing about dinner?”
Damn, she was cute. He turned to their dining options. As much as he wanted an overstuffed pita with the works, he decided that ordering at a counter and waiting for their receipt number to be called wasn’t the way newlyweds should spend the first night of their honeymoon.
Finally, he found something between the two extremes. The restaurant promised the full Lebanese experience, and the menu made his mouth water. “There’s a place called Zikrayet.”
“Let’s go there. I like their menu.”
Of course she’d already read the menus. “Good deal.”
“Give me a minute to change.” She pulled her bag into the bedroom. “I need to freshen up.”
Hagan threw himself on the couch and flipped the hotel book open again. Amanda had probably memorized it. He needed to catch up. He read through the hotel amenities, then checked his watch. “I could’ve showered and redressed in the amount of time that it takes you to freshen up.”
“Tough cookies,” she called.
Hagan returned to the hotel book, pausing at the list of spa services. He calculated the US dollar exchange rate, then double-checked his math. “If I ever need a new career, remind me to look into giving expensive-ass massages.”
“What?” She stepped through the double doors.
Hagan glanced up. His mouth opened. Nothing came out. He jumped onto his feet, shut his slack-jaw, and gaped at his pretend wife. “Damn.”
Amanda’s dark hair cascaded over her shoulders, contrasting against a cream-colored, high-necked blouse with long, airy sleeves.
His gaze dropped to the sharp-fitting, slim black pants that hugged her legs, cutting off above her ankle.
And those shoes. The black high heels were simple but threatened to steal the show.
Hagan had had no idea he was a shoe guy. “Wow.”
Her eyelashes seemed longer. Makeup, he guessed. Barely noticeable. Except for her lips.
Nervously, her tongue darted to her bottom lip, stained the color of berries. “We should go.”
He crossed the room and kept himself on a short leash. “I don’t want to go anywhere but back in bed.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“Trust me, babe. The only ridiculous thing is that you’re still on your feet.”
A smile tugged at the corner of her lips. “But work calls.”
He almost argued they should quit and become masseuses, but when she held out her hand, he took it.