Chapter 9

GRAY SCANNED through the morning world news. Once again, it contained nothing but bad news. Sometimes, he wondered why he bothered checking it. If the media outlets weren’t talking about another terrorist attack, they were sharing pictures of yet another natural disaster somewhere in the world. Today’s headlines once again centered on the two military officers who’d released some of the classified information they stole before fleeing the country.

The media had been focused on the story since it’d broken right before Christmas, which was the reason he’d missed the holidays with his family. He could only imagine the headaches, the President, his Uncle Warren, suffered because of the entire situation.

So far US officials hadn’t been able to locate them, although rumors ran wild about their possible location. This morning, the media claimed the government suspected the two men had made it to China. Thanks to the intel he’d picked up in Mexico, he knew the media had it wrong.

Finished with the bad news, Gray brought up his favorite sports site. Sports didn’t solve any world problems, but they did distract one from them. After checking the hockey scores, he took a peek at the baseball results. It was still early, but if spring training was any indication, both Baltimore and New York looked like the leaders in the American League East.

Gray moved down the page to the basketball scores. Boston hadn’t played last night, but they were scheduled to play tonight. Perhaps Kiera would enjoy a game. She’d been a glorified tomboy and had played both basketball and soccer.

“What are you doing down here?”

Warm hands slid over his shoulders and cotton pressed against his bare back. He kissed the hand on his right shoulder. “I woke up and couldn’t fall back to sleep.”

Kiera kissed the back of his neck and then his shoulder. “You should’ve woken me.”

She rubbed the skin behind his ear and then down his neck.

Gray closed his eyes as the gentle movement relaxed him, body and soul. “Next time, love.”

“What should we do today?”

“I could sit here all day and have you do this,” Gray said.

Kiera’s hands moved down his spine and then back up again. “That might get boring.”

Boring? Never. “Doubt that.”

He let her hands caress his back one last time. Shifting in his seat, he pulled her onto his lap. “What do you think about a basketball game at the Garden tonight? We can head up early, and grab dinner first. Maybe spend the night in the city.”

If someone saw the smile she gave him, they would’ve thought he had given her the Hope Diamond.

“That’s a fabulous idea. I haven’t seen a game at the Garden in years. What time does it start?”

“No idea.” He rubbed her thigh, his mind and body more interested in her than the basketball game. “How about you move while I’ll still let you, and I’ll get us tickets.” He let his fingers travel under her shorts, and Kiera gave his hand a playful whack.

“Game. Tickets. Focus.” She stood up. “I’ll wait for you upstairs in bed. Be quick.”

Gray watched her walk away. Derek could keep women like Val and Miranda. None of them had anything on Kiera. He let his eyes rake across her body one last time and stood. He’d order tickets for the game later. First, he had a beautiful woman to make love to.

He grabbed Kiera’s arm before she entered her bedroom. “This has to go.” He touched her cotton shirt.

“The same goes for these.” Kiera pulled at the waistband of his shorts. “I’ll go first.” In one movement, she pulled the shirt off revealing her naked breasts.

“I could look at you like this all day.” He cupped one breast in his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.

“I know what you mean.” She pushed his shorts down and gave him a thorough visual inspection before touching him.

Gray watched her hand move up and down his erection, the need to claim her building inside him. He picked her up. As if they’d been in that position a thousand times before, she wrapped her legs around his waist as he slipped inside of her.

Heaven.

The parquet floor and championship banners inside The Garden brought back memories of his previous visits. Over the years, he’d gone to numerous basketball and hockey games there. He couldn’t recall the last time he’d been in the arena, but it looked unchanged.

“Do you want anything before we sit down?” Gray navigated them through the crowd.

“I’m still full from dinner. We have to go back to that restaurant again. It was so good, I want to try everything on the menu.”

Gray sidestepped a toddler having a meltdown. “I’ve always thought they should branch out, open other locations. Vincent, the owner, says the family is happy with just one restaurant.”

“Not everyone thinks more is better. Some people are content with the way their lives are.”

“I know. Still, I think they’d do well with more locations.” They broke free of the crowd, and he led them past rows of seats toward the floor. He’d gotten them seats right behind the Boston team bench. “This is us.”

“Are you serious? I could wipe the sweat off the players’ foreheads from here.” Kiera sat.

“What about you?”

“What do you mean?” Kiera shrugged off her jacket and draped it over her seat.

“Are you content with your life?”

“With most of it.”

He couldn’t let that answer go. “What would you change?”

Kiera looked away from the court and at him. “I like it at Mon Soleil and my apartment is great for now, but I don’t want to spend the rest of my life in either. Someday I’d like my own restaurant and my own house.”

Gray leaned closer, his mouth just above hers. “We’ll make sure you get both.” He had to kiss her. A week earlier he would’ve considered that they were in a public place surrounded by spectators and the media. Now, he didn’t care. Her parents knew about them, and he didn’t care who else found out.

“You know that there is media here tonight. They might get a picture of us together.” Before he kissed her, he wanted to make sure she was prepared for some photographs going public.

“I don’t care.”

That was the green light he needed. He touched his lips to hers and tasted the wine she’d had with her dinner. Although it went against what his body wanted, he kept their kiss short.

After he ended their kiss, Kiera put her forehead against his. “So what about you, Mr. Sherbrooke. Are you content?”

“I am now. I’ll be even more content when I get you back into my bed tonight, love.”

“You’re insatiable.”

He put his hand on her thigh and gave it a little squeeze. “But you love me anyway.”

Don’t look. Don’t look. Focus on the sweat on the players’ faces. Kiera knew if she looked over she’d find Gray’s gorgeous eyes locked on her. His eyes had been on her every other time she glanced at him. Not that she needed to look to know he sat right there.

Throughout the game, he’d touched her. Sometimes, just a light hand on her knee; other times, he held her hand. Occasionally, he’d kiss her neck. If he hadn’t planted himself in her heart already, his behavior since yesterday would’ve done the job. She’d been speechless when he told her parents she meant the world to him. She’d expected her mom to pass out when he’d made the declaration. Her dad appeared more pleased than shocked.

Then there was his reply tonight about being content. She’d read between the lines. He was content now that they were together. Kiera shared his sentiment.

The buzzer went off for halftime, and she looked at him. Sure enough, he was watching her. “Have you watched any of the game?”

“I had something more enjoyable to look at.” He smiled.

“Gray, you spent a fortune on these seats, so you could see the game.”

“You’re wrong, love. I got these seats so you could watch the game. I’m only here because you are.”

He’d suggested basketball; she’d assumed that he wanted to go. “We could have done something else tonight.”

“Are you enjoying yourself?”

“Yes.”

“So am I.” He put a whisper of a kiss on her cheek. “It just so happens that I like watching you more than basketball.” He pushed the curls that’d escaped her ponytail away from her face. “Most men would agree with me if they had you sitting next to them.”

Kiera chuckled. “Okay, now you’re laying it on a little thick, my friend. I’m not that pretty.”

“You don’t believe me? How about I ask some of these guys for their opinions?”

“Excuse me, sir.” Gray turned to the man behind them. “My girlfriend and I need your help settling a disagreement.”

Holy fudge. He wasn’t joking. “You know what, Gray? You’re right. I believe you.” Kiera smiled at the older gentleman. “Thanks anyway.”

Next to her, Gray laughed.

“I cannot believe you were going to ask him that.” She slapped his thigh, which brought an immediate end to his laughter.

“Ouch, that hurt.” He rubbed the spot she hit.

“That wouldn’t have been funny, Gray.” She crossed her arms.

He reached for her hand. “Hey, I was joking. I wouldn’t have really asked him. I’m sorry.” He rubbed her palm with his thumb, easing away her irritation. “You know I would never embarrass you in public.” The corner of his mouth went up. “Now, in private…? That’s another story.”

“Remember: what goes around, comes around.”

“I’ll be sure to keep that in mind. Before the game starts again, do you want anything?”

“Water would be great.”

Gray let go of her hand. “Anything else?”

Kiera shook her head and started to stand.

“Stay here and relax. I’ll be right back.”

Gray kissed her before she could argue, then left. She watched him walk away and then glanced across the aisle where several other women watched him as well. They could watch him all they wanted, but he would be leaving with her.

Kiera looked back up the stairs in time to see Gray disappear into the crowd. With him no longer in view, a few of the women looked at her, their envy obvious. She didn’t blame them; Gray Sherbrooke had it all. He was a perfect gentleman, thoughtful, funny, and hotter than hell. Every woman deserved a man like that. Other women would have to find their own version, though, because he loved her and she returned the sentiment.

After the game, they went back to the hotel suite Gray had gotten them. It had two bathrooms, a kitchenette, two bedrooms, and a living room, more square footage than her apartment, and a one-night stay probably cost close to a month’s rent. She almost said as much before Gray distracted her by introducing her to the most comfortable bed she’d ever laid on. He only gave her a moment to think about how much she would like the same mattress in her bedroom before thoughts of anything but Gray’s body and the way he made her burn for him took over.

Now with her body satisfied thanks to their most recent round of love making, she watched the way the moonlight washed over Gray. He hadn’t bothered to pull a sheet up, and she was enjoying the unobstructed view of his naked body.

“What should we do tomorrow?” Gray wrapped a strand of her hair around his finger.

“I have to work.” A chill sent goose bumps up her arms, and she added the blanket to the sheet that already covered her.

Gray got under the blankets with her. “You don’t have to work until tomorrow night; that gives us all day.”

Heat from his body passed into hers, chasing away the chill. “Weren’t you supposed to work from home?”

Gray ran his fingers through her hair. “I can do that when you leave. One of the benefits of working from home is that I can set my own hours.”

“Let’s decide in the morning. I’m tired. Someone didn’t let me get much sleep last night. Or the night before.”

“I didn’t hear any complaints then.”

He kissed her forehead as she closed her eyes. “Doesn’t mean I’m not exhausted now.”

“Then, you better get some sleep. You’ll need your energy in the morning.”

Gray heard Kiera’s breathing change and knew she’d fallen asleep. He kissed her forehead again, and then stared at the ceiling. If he could spend every night like this, he would. He couldn’t imagine anything better than falling asleep and waking up next to Kiera. The love and happiness that filled him when he saw her next to him was like nothing he’d experienced before.

How many more days could he stay and continuing doing it? At some point, he’d have to leave. He had some issues that needed his attention and couldn’t be handled from Kiera’s living room. He needed to finalize the London project for Sherbrooke Enterprises so construction could begin on the new hotel. Then of course, who knew what other problem Randall would drop in his lap especially with those two traitors running around with government secrets?

Since the holidays, he’d considered leaving the CIA. Now, with Kiera in his life, the idea became even more appealing. He’d have to put some serious thought into what he wanted, but not tonight. Tonight he’d enjoy the feel of her body pressed against him, and tomorrow, he’d enjoy waking up with her once again.

The all-too-familiar ring pierced the pleasant dream of him and Kiera sitting on a warm sunny beach. He checked his watch. Six in the morning. If Randall was calling him this early, it couldn’t be good. Although, when Randall was involved, it was never good.

Gray grabbed the phone before it woke Kiera and slipped out of bed then left the bedroom.

“Hello.” Gray crossed the living room into the kitchenette.

“Gray, it is Randall. I saw you on television at the Garden last night. Quite the game wasn’t it.”

He’d never pegged Randall as a sports fan. “Yeah. It was a close one.” If Randall had seen him and Kiera on television, chances were others had. It was a good thing her parents already knew about their relationship.

“Do you remember the asset you recruited in Russia?”

How could he forget? He’d spent two weeks there, ingesting Russian food and pretending he enjoyed it. Russia was well known for many things. Their fine cuisine wasn’t one of them.

“Nadia and her mother are in California this week. She decided at the last minute to attend a fundraiser in Los Angles. I want you to stop in and spend time with her. Our people think she will have some new intel for you.”

At least he didn’t have to fly out to Russia today. “Where and when is the party?” Asking if someone else could go was futile. He already knew the answer.

“Starts at seven tonight at The Astoria. Black tie, of course.”

Fuck. “I’ll take care of it.” And when I get back, we need to talk, Randall.

The bedroom door opened, and Kiera walked out. She’d pulled on a t-shirt that reached the top of her thighs, and her hair hung in a riot of curls around her shoulders. His heartbeat doubled as she walked toward him.

He turned off the phone and memorized the way she looked, the way she moved, the way she smiled at him. In another second, he doubted she’d be smiling anymore.

“You need to stop disappearing from bed like that.”

“Sorry. The phone rang and I didn’t want to wake you.” He pulled her close, wishing she was naked.

“Problem at work?”

“Something like that.” Damn, he wished he could tell her the whole truth.

Kiera’s smile disappeared. “You need to go, don’t you?”

“Unfortunately. Come with me. Call in sick or see if someone can cover for you. I’ll have you back here in two days.”

“You know I can’t do that. My family doesn’t own the restaurant. They don’t write my paychecks, which means I can’t make my own hours like you do.”

He didn’t have as much freedom as she thought, and definitely not as much as he once did.

“You’re right, and I understand. But I wish you were coming with me.” He kissed her forehead. “Can you to do something for me while I’m gone? Your birthday is in three weeks. Take that whole weekend off, including Friday and Monday. We’ll go away. I won’t even take my phone with me. No one and nothing will disturb us.”

Kiera nodded. “I have that Saturday and Sunday off already. I’ll talk to Robin and see if he can work that Friday and Monday. I covered a bunch of his shifts in the fall. I think he’ll agree. Then, I can talk to Pierre and tell him Robin’s willing to help me out.”

“Remind me to send Robin a big, expensive bottle of champagne when he agrees.” Gray rubbed her silky skin, his body aching to join with hers again.

“I thought you needed to leave,” she whispered against his mouth.

Gray slipped his tongue into her mouth and lifted her at the same time. Immediately, Kiera wrapped her legs around his waist.

“First, I need to make love to you. Pleasure you enough so that you won’t think of anything else until I get back. Then I’ll go.”

It took him a long time to leave.

Gray handed his bag to Becky and took his usual seat. If nothing else, the flight to California would give him a chance to rest. He hadn’t realized how tired he was until he left the hotel and drove to the airport.

As the plane got positioned for take off, Gray rested his head against his seat and closed his eyes. He wanted Kiera’s birthday to be extra special. No matter where they went or what they did, he didn’t want work spoiling it. So far, she’d accepted the last minute changes that kept coming up. He wasn’t sure that would always be the case. Unfortunately, as long as he found himself on the Agency’s payroll he couldn’t guarantee work wouldn’t interfere in their lives.

Now where should they go? If they had more time, he’d pick Paris or maybe Venice. A long weekend wasn’t much time for that kind of trip. An island in the Caribbean might work. He loved both Anguilla Island and St. Barth’s.

With two possible destinations settled on, he needed the perfect gift.

He leaned his seat back. What were some intimate gifts? His mind kept coming back to one specific type of jewelry.

Gray could picture the type of engagement ring she’d like. It would be simple. A classic design that wouldn’t call attention to itself, nothing like the diamond his cousin, Sara, wore.

Yup, when he got back to New York he’d find the perfect ring for Kiera.

Warm air greeted him hours later, a stark contrast to the chilly temperature he’d left behind. He would’ve gladly given up the sunny skies and warm breezes if he could be with Kiera. The next time he traveled for work, hopefully she’d be able to come along.

Gray walked to the waiting car. After he handed over his carry-on, he gave the driver instructions and pulled out his phone. Even with the time difference, he might catch Kiera before she went into work. By the time he got back to his hotel after the fundraiser tonight, it would be rather late.

She picked up on the fourth ring.

“Hi, Gray. I can’t talk long. I’m almost at work.”

“I’ll be quick. I don’t think I’ll be able to call tonight. I wish you’d come with me. Maybe next time.”

“I wish I was with you too. I’ll take care of getting my birthday weekend off.”

At least he had that to look forward to.

“I need to go, I just pulled into work. Love you.”

He put the phone away and watched the traffic outside, letting his mind focus on the night ahead. Once he got work handled, he could get back to more important things.

Kiera dried her hands, then checked her appearance in the mirror above the sink. She looked the same as she did every night. It didn’t seem possible because she no longer felt the same. Happiness warmed her from the inside. Gray loved her. He made her feel cherished and desired. How could all of that not show?

She adjusted her toque and headed for the kitchen. She passed two waitresses and smiled. They each glanced at her, gave her half-smiles and walked away, whispering to each other. Kiera dismissed their behavior and entered her domain. The usual sounds and smells greeted her, and she jumped into her usual routine.

At first, she ignored the sideward glances and whispers. An hour after punching in, Erica walked by her with a whispered, “You’re so lucky.”

Before she asked what made her so lucky, Erica walked away, dinners in hand. After that, Kiera couldn’t ignore the glances from her co-workers, and recalled the whispered conversation between the waitresses in the hallway.

She wanted in on the secret and she knew just who to ask. If anyone wanted to know what was going on, they asked Erica. She always knew what was going on in the restaurant. So when Erica walked by again, Kiera waved her over.

“Do you have a minute?” Kiera asked.

“What’s up?”

Kiera kept her voice low. “What did you mean when you said I’m lucky? And does it have anything to do with why everyone’s giving me funny looks tonight?”

“You’re lucky because you’re dating Gray Sherbrooke. I’d give my right arm for a night with a guy like him,” Erica answered. “Actually, I’d give my right and left arms.”

“How do you know I’m seeing Gray?”

“Social media exploded last night with pictures of you two together. Then, this morning a picture was featured on The Star Report’s Internet edition.”

Kiera had expected the media’s involvement, and her mom had warned her.

“Does everyone know?”

“I think so. I heard the other waitresses talking about it in the employee locker room. Was last night your first date? You two looked so cozy that I told my roommate it couldn’t have been.”

People were discussing her love life? Could she hide out in a closet somewhere for a little while?

Kiera swallowed down her groan. “We’ve been together several weeks now, but we’ve known each other a long time.”

“That’s why he was here that night. Makes sense now. I can’t wait until I tell my roommate I was right.”

Erica walked away leaving Kiera speechless. If everyone at the restaurant knew, Joanna and Stephanie must know, too. She was surprised that they hadn’t already called demanding all the details. Maybe she should invite them both over tomorrow afternoon. That way, they could both grill her at the same time and save her the trouble of repeating everything.