Chapter 10

GRAY SMILED and made the appropriate small talk as he entered The Astoria, a posh restaurant and nightclub owned by actor Anderson Brady. He’d been inside once before during Uncle Warren’s presidential run three years ago. Anderson and his father, Patrick, the current California Congressman, had thrown a fundraiser for Uncle Warren’s campaign.

“Gray!”

He recognized Selena Cruise’s voice. Since she was here, that meant Nikki was too.

“Selena, hi.” He gave her a smile.

“We missed you at Nikki’s party. How are you?” She kissed him on the cheek. “Does Nikki know you’re here?”

“No, I haven’t seen her.”

“Well, she’s here with Anderson’s brother if you want to say hi.”

Anderson joined them just then and slid his arm around Selena. “Glad you could make it, Gray.”

“I was in the area and you know how much I love your parties.” Gray scanned the room but so far, he hadn’t seen Nadia.

“I’m sponsoring another Clean Water Matters fundraiser here in June. I’ll put you on the guest list.”

“Bringing clean drinking water to countries in need is crucial. I’ll try to make it. Even if I can’t, I’m more than happy to support the effort.”

“If you’re interested, I’d love to have your official backing and help with this project. You’d draw in a lot of other big donors.”

“Call me. We can discuss it and my donation.”

Anderson smiled. “Will do. Have fun tonight. Nikki’s occupied with my brother, but I saw Angelina Troy walk in alone. She could be Mia’s twin. Did you know she just landed her first movie role?”

He’d forgotten America’s Sweetheart, Mia Troy, even had a sister. “I’ll keep my eye out for her.”

Gray left Anderson and Selena and crossed the dance floor in search of Nadia.

He spotted her legs first. They were damn hard to miss. She’d trained as a ballerina for years and it showed. She knew it, too. And wore the shortest skintight dress she could find and high heels to show them off.

Three men chatted around her while she sipped a cocktail and looked bored—until she saw him.

“You’re here.” She hugged him, her overly sweet perfume reminding him of cake.

“I said I’d come. Just got stuck in traffic.” Actually, he’d arrived late to miss the paparazzi that would be camped outside the entrance.

Nadia wrapped her arm around his waist, leaning into him, and he fought the urge to push her away. This is part of our cover.

“Please excuse us. We have some catching up to do,” Gray said to the men she’d been talking to.

“There are some empty booths near the back,” she said in her accented English.

The crowd made it impossible to keep much distance between them, and Nadia took full advantage of the situation. More than once, her breast brushed his back. He knew they had to make it look real, but he hated this.

“This is about as quiet and private as we’re going to get in here.” Gray stopped at the booth farthest from the crowded dance floor.

“If I knew for sure my mother and her latest boy toy were gone, I’d invite you back to our suite.” She sat down and slid in further.

He never approved of extramarital affairs, but in this case, it kept him safely away from Nadia’s hotel room.

“But here, we can have a few drinks, and discuss business.” He sat next to her, and she moved closer to him right away.

Gray looked around for a waiter. He needed a very strong drink.

“You’re right. We can have fun here.” Nadia’s hand disappeared under the table. “I wanted to see you when I was in New York last month.” Her hand traveled up his thigh. “I heard you were out of the country.”

Damn it. She was really playing up the role tonight. Reaching under the table, he removed her hand. “I’m overseeing several international projects right now, including some in Western Europe which my brother used to handle.”

“You must be busy.”

He wanted to wrap this meeting up. “So do you have any information for me?”

Before Nadia could answer, Gray heard his cousin’s voice.

“I thought I saw you come in. Christopher didn’t believe me.”

If he didn’t look up, he could pretend he hadn’t heard Sara’s voice, and she’d go away.

“When did you arrive in California?” Sara asked, not taking the hint.

So much for that idea. “Hi, Sara.” Gray looked at his cousin and her fiancé. “Christopher.”

“She’s never going to let me live it down that I was wrong,” Christopher said.

Sara ignored Christopher and looked at Nadia.

“Nadia, it’s nice to see you again.” Sara looked at him again.

“You’ve met?” Gray asked.

“When I worked on The Hill for Senator Healey. We both attended a party at the Russian embassy.”

“My uncle throws excellent parties,” Nadia said.

“He does. I thought you were in Boston this week, Gray?” Sara gave him the same glare his Aunt Elizabeth had used on him when he’d spent the night at Cliff House and had done something he shouldn’t have. If Sara had children someday and used that glare on them, they were in serious trouble.

“Sudden change in plans.”

“I can see that,” Sara said, one eyebrow raised.

“I’ve been working on a new hotel project in Moscow. Nadia’s family owns the land that we want to build on.”

Sara considered his words, and he held his breath. The way Nadia sat pressed against him looked bad. Judging by Sara’s comments and the way she glared at him, she’d seen pictures of him and Kiera online today. Normally, Sara was great at keeping secrets, but in this case she might feel it was her responsibility to tell Kiera what she’d seen tonight. Well, thought she’d seen because there wasn’t anything going on between Nadia and him. If not for his damn mission, he would still be with Kiera.

“I thought you handled projects in Europe mostly. Didn’t you take over Trent’s position?” Sara asked.

“Normally, but since I already know Nadia, this project got passed to me.”

“Familiarity does make working together easier sometimes. In can also complicate situations,” Sara said.

“How long are you staying in California?” Christopher asked.

“Not long.”

“If you have time, stop up and see us. Sara, let’s go get those drinks.”

“I need one, too. I’ll join you.” Gray moved from behind the table. “Can I get you one, Nadia?”

Nadia picked up her cocktail glass and finished the blue liquid inside. “Sure. Surprise me.”

“Be right back.”

Gray walked alongside his cousin and waited until they placed their orders at the bar to speak.

“I know what you’re thinking, Sara. But this is really only business.”

Sara leaned an elbow on the bar. “Gray, why do you care what I’m thinking? I’m not your mother or your girlfriend. You can sleep with whoever you want.” The bartender handed Sara her drink. “Kiera might care, though. She strikes me as the type who would. Maybe you should stop seeing her before you sleep with Nadia.”

“Nadia and I are not sleeping together.”

“Sure, you’re not. Like I said Gray, it’s not my problem.”

Gray glanced at Christopher, hoping for some help, but Christopher gave him a you’re-on-your-own look and took a sip of his drink.

“We’re here to discuss business, Sara. I plan to leave alone.”

“Business at a party like this? Wearing a dress like that? I don’t think so.” Sara sipped her drink. “Don’t worry, cuz. I’ll keep your secret, but consider ending things with Kiera. She’s not like the women you normally date. She’s more like me. She won’t be willing to share you with the Nadias or Nikki Reeses of the world.”

Gray didn’t argue. He could stand there all day and tell Sara he wasn’t messing around with Nadia and she’d not accept it. At least she’d promised not to say anything to Kiera. She would keep her word.

Now, if he could conclude this business meeting, he’d be on his way back to his hotel room alone. Gray picked up the two drinks he’d ordered and carried them back to the table and Nadia.

“What took you so long? I was getting ready to come look for you.”

That was the last thing he needed. “The bar was busy.” He tried to keep space between them when he sat, but Nadia slid closer.

“So your signal said there were new developments?”

Nadia sipped her drink. “I guess we should get business out of the way. Then we can handle other matters.”

Christ this wasn’t all an act tonight. He needed to get out of this business.

Kiera got home from work around midnight. Tired, she took a shower and slipped into her favorite extra-long t-shirt. The moment her head hit the pillow, rather than fall asleep, though, she stared wide-eyed at the ceiling. Her bed felt too big and empty. Sleeping with Gray for three nights had spoiled her. She’d gotten used to waking up and finding his arm around her.

She moved onto her side and hugged a pillow. Did he find falling asleep as difficult tonight? California was three hours behind them. She doubted he’d gone to bed yet.

Kiera picked up her phone. His number rang several times, and she was expecting to get his voicemail, but Gray picked up.

“Hi, love.”

“Gray, I didn’t wake you did I?”

“No. Did you just get home?”

She heard music in the background. “I’ve been home for over an hour. I couldn’t sleep. Are you out?”

“Needed dinner and didn’t feel like room service.”

That explained the loud music. “I’ll let you eat then. I love you.”

“I love you too, Kiera. I’ll call you tomorrow afternoon before you go into work.”

His words sent a tingle down her spine.

After she hung up, Kiera closed her eyes. Tomorrow the firing squad, also known as her two closest friends, was coming by. She’d answered their messages on break this evening with some quick answers, but those would only last until tomorrow. They would require full, long, drawn-out answers that were going to require a lot of energy and some patience.

For a good solid hour, she tossed and turned. She tried sleeping on the other side of the bed. She pulled on more blankets, then kicked them off. Nothing helped. As a last resort, she pulled out her e-reader and tried reading the same novel she’d been trying to read for the last six months. So far, she’d only made it to chapter seven. In her opinion, it was the most boring book she’d ever encountered. Joanna kept reassuring her it got better. That she just had to get past the beginning. Every time she tried, she either fell asleep or simply gave up. This morning she hoped for the first.

Kiera finished half of chapter seven but was still wide-awake. Giving up, she kicked off the tangled mess of blankets, and went downstairs. If she couldn’t sleep, she’d experiment for a while in the kitchen. That would kill some time and produce something tasty for lunch. Kiera switched on her favorite jazz playlist and then searched the refrigerator for ingredients.

Gray dropped his phone into his pocket. “I’ll have another scotch and an Appletini, please.”

He shouldn’t have answered the phone. If it had gone to voicemail, Kiera would have assumed he was asleep. Like an idiot, though, he’d answered the phone.

When he left Boston, he’d told Kiera he had business out here, which was one hundred percent true. She’d expect him to conduct all his business in an office. If he explained he met a business associate at a party, she’d have a reaction similar to his cousin, especially if she learned who the business associate was. Once before, she’d asked him about Nadia and their relationship.

Once everything settled down, he’d tell Randall to find someone else to work with Nadia if and when the need arose. Already, he pictured Randall giving him hell about his decision, but he didn’t care. He couldn’t work with Nadia and keep up the ruse that there was something between them. He’d endured it a few hours so far and already the guilt ate at him.

“Your cousin stopped by to say goodnight,” Nadia said when he returned.

It was early to leave a party, but Sara had always preferred more subdued events.

“What did you get me this time?” Nadia took a sip. “What is it? I like it.”

“An Appletini. My sister loves them.”

Nadia took another sip. “I guess we should get back to business.”

“That is why we are here.”

Nadia sighed and started talking again.

An hour later, Gray walked Nadia to her limo while managing to elude her groping hands. She tried convincing him to take her back to his hotel room, insisting that no one would ever know. He reminded her again why they couldn’t get involved and that everything between them was just to maintain their cover, although he doubted she’d remember in the morning. She’d been more than a little tipsy when he helped her into her limo.

Once he saw her safely on her way, he had his own car brought around and left. Later, he’d give Randall a call and set up a meet so he could pass along the intel. He considered calling him now and waking the guy up. How many times over the past few months had he interrupted Gray at the worst possible times? More than he could count. But he decided against it. He was both tired and in a foul mood, not a good combination when talking to his boss. Waiting until he got a few hours sleep and a decent breakfast was a better plan. After that, he’d fly back home and stop in the office for a few days.

Thankfully, his current position required a fair amount of travel, but little office time. He could do his work from just about anywhere. Nothing said he had to stay in New York City. True, he had an office at the headquarters for Sherbrooke Enterprises, but he only stopped in a few times a month. He could just as easily get an office in Trent’s office building. And it wasn’t like he had a real apartment in the city. For the past several years, he’d leased a place at The Embassy Suites. He’d picked it because it was convenient and allowed him to maintain a carefree lifestyle. If he moved back to Rhode Island and set up an office there, he would be closer to Kiera when he wasn’t traveling.

Moving back to Rhode Island needed more consideration. But, damn, if it didn’t sound like an excellent idea.

Gray drove his rental car toward his hotel. Before he reached the highway, he changed his mind and headed toward the airport instead. He didn’t want to spend any more time than he had to in California.

Kiera expected her friends at twelve-thirty. They arrived at quarter past.

“What smells so good?” Stephanie walked into the apartment.

“Who cares? I want details. All the details.” Joanna closed the door.

“I was trying to be polite. You should try it sometime.”

“Oh, please. You want to know everything just as much as I do. It was all you talked about the whole way here.”

Kiera could only shake her head. Her two friends fought like an old married couple sometimes.

Stephanie hung her jacket on the back of chair. “It smells great in here.”

“Don’t tell Chef Andrien because I’d never hear the end of it, but I was working on a new Bolognese sauce recipe this morning. I thought we’d have it for lunch.”

Stephanie walked to the stove and lifted the lid of the pot. “I love when you experiment.”

“Okay, now sit and let’s get down to business.” Joanna pulled out a chair and pointed to it. “To start, tell us the how and when. We’ll proceed from there.”

Kiera sat. “We had lunch after Trent’s wedding, and few days later, he showed up here.”

“You were seeing him the day we went to the movies and you didn’t tell us?” Stephanie looked about to cry as she joined them at the table.

“No. That day he actually canceled plans with me. Honestly, I didn’t expect to see him again after that.”

“This is getting good. You know what we need? Wine.”

“Joanna, it’s not even one o’clock yet,” Stephanie said.

“So what? If it makes more sense, we can eat lunch, and drink the wine while we enjoy all the details.”

“Check the wine rack. I’ll boil some pasta.”

“And please continue your story,” Stephanie said.

Kiera walked to the counter. “Later that week, out of the blue, Gray showed up at Mon Soleil.” She filled a large pot with water.

“He just showed up? He didn’t call or anything?” Stephanie asked.

“Kiera when did you start buying such expensive wine?” Joanna held up one of the bottles Gray had bought.

Kiera grabbed three wine glasses from the cupboard. “I didn’t; Gray did. I cooked my dad dinner for his birthday and Gray took care of the wine.”

“Dinner with your parents already? This is serious. John didn’t have dinner with my parents until Thanksgiving, and we started seeing each other last April.” Joanna went in search of a bottle opener.

“If you don’t stop interrupting me, I’ll never finish telling you everything.”

“We won’t say another word. Promise. Right, Joanna?” Stephanie asked.

Kiera would believe that when it happened.

She went back to describing all the events leading up to the pictures that showed up online. She left out a few more personal details, like the showers they’d taken together, but otherwise, she told them everything.

“Okay, I’ve got to ask.”

When Stephanie started a sentence that way, Kiera knew she didn’t want to hear the rest.

“Is he as good a kisser as he’s rumored to be?”

“Where and when did you read that?” Kiera asked.

Stephanie shrugged. “I don’t remember, but I do remember that Gray and Trent were ranked as excellent kissers. Anderson Brady and Mark Walden were ranked as average, while Cooper Perry and Eddie Ferguson were ranked the worst.”

“Who else made the list?” Joanna asked, her attention off of Kiera for the moment.

“A lot of people. There was something like twenty-five men and twenty-five women in each category.”

It came as no surprise that Stephanie only remembered the ones she drooled over in magazines.

“So is he?” Stephanie asked.

Kiera nodded. “Most definitely.” If magazines talked about his kissing ability, she could answer her friend’s simple question.

“How good is he in other ways?” Joanna asked, wiggling her eyebrows.

“Ready for dessert?” That was a question Kiera wouldn’t answer.

“We all know you’ve slept with him. We just want to know how he compares. We don’t need any specifics, right, Steph?”

Stephanie rolled her eyes. “Leave her alone. We both know Kiera doesn’t talk about her sex life like you do.”

The sound of the door being unlocked saved her from answering any more questions. Both her friends turned as the door swung open.

Gray walked in. “Should I come back later?”

“No of course not. You look exhausted, sit down before you fall over and have some dessert.”

“Talk about perfect timing.” He walked around the table and kissed her.

Kiera thought she heard Stephanie sigh. “I’m glad you’re back. I missed you last night.”

“I missed you too.” He kissed her again before he sat down.

“Gray, this is Joanna and Stephanie. We were roommates in college.” Before today, he’d never met any of her friends. Come to think of it, she hadn’t met any of his yet, either.

“We haven’t seen each other since January, so we thought we’d catch up over lunch.”

“It’s nice to meet you.” Gray smiled. “I’m sorry I crashed your get together.”

“We need to go soon anyway. I’m working tonight,” Joanna was the assistant manager at a downtown hotel and didn’t have a regular nine-to-five job.

Joanna and Stephanie stuck around long enough to finish dessert and then left. Once the door closed behind her friends, Gray wasted no time. He pulled her close before she could sit back down. Then he kissed her, demonstrating once more just why he’d been ranked high on the best-kisser list. Before she realized it, she pulled his shirt from the waistband of his pants and slipped her hands underneath.

When she needed air, she pulled her mouth away. “What are you doing here? I thought you had business in California.”

“Took care of it and then flew right back here. I missed you.”

“You’re not needed at your office?” She rubbed his back, enjoying the feel of his defined muscles under her hands.

“Nope. Arranged for a few video conferences so I can work from here.” He undid her bun. “You should wear your hair down more.”

“I didn’t have time to straighten it this morning.”

He caressed her hair with his hands, sending tingles along her scalp.

“It’s beautiful just like this.” His hands slid lower and he embraced her. “What time do you need to leave for work?”

Oh, right. She did have that pesky place to go to tonight. “In about forty-five minutes. I still need to get ready.”

Gray slipped his hands into her back pockets and pulled her tighter against him. “Definitely not enough time for what I have in mind.”

“I think we can manage a quickie to hold us both over.”

“Anything for you, love.”

Gray lounged on the bed and watched Kiera dry off. He should have stayed downstairs while she’d showered, that way all the blood in his body wouldn’t currently be residing south of his waistline. Already the next several hours looked to be torturous and she hadn’t even left yet.

“I spoke to my dad on the way over here.” Gray watched Kiera slip on panties, a pair of candy apple red ones. “He invited us over for lunch or dinner this weekend.”

She slipped on the matching bra and Gray swallowed. She looked so good in red.

“I told him I had to check with you first.”

She grabbed her uniform from the bed. “You’re staying that long?”

“Longer if I can manage it.” He leaned forward and kissed her stomach just above her navel, which, today, sported a ring with a smiley face rather than the butterfly she’d worn the previous weekend.

“I agreed to work Saturday afternoon for Robin. It’s his daughter’s birthday party. We could go over later that night or Sunday.” She pulled on a gray tank top that hugged her breasts like he wanted to.

Gray clasped his hands, willing them to stay put when all they wanted to do was pull Kiera down onto the bed with him.

“I’ll call and let him know later.”

Kiera moved away, putting her tempting self out of his reach. “There’s left over pasta from lunch in the refrigerator if you get hungry.” She stood before the mirror, putting her hair back up, and he wanted to march over and pull it back down. “Help yourself.” When she finished, she turned back around. “I need to go.”

He’d only seen her dressed in her uniform a handful of times. It was perhaps the least sexy set of clothes he’d ever seen; yet she made it look good.

“I’ll be here when you get home, love.”