Suddenly she locked onto something and moved forward to stare into a small mounted camera the size of a thimble attached to a house plant near where she stood.
“Now that’s a fine looking woman,” muttered the Secret Service agent. “Think she knows the camera’s there or is just into plants?”
“She’s one of my people.”
The agent looked up at Chase for the first time. “I think I’m going to request a transfer.”
“I’ll see what I can do. I’d advise you to be careful around that one.” He turned to leave.
“Why is that?”
“She could get you killed.” Chase checked his weapon in his shoulder holster.
“There are worse ways to die,” he smiled as he watched the no nonsense agent exit the room.
~~~
Zen inspired music floated out into the waiting area carpeted with a geometric design in gold and red. Replicas of famous Terra Cotta Soldiers stood guard on each side of all entry doors to the ballroom. The dragon murals along the wall added an ambiance of adventure and romance most educators would never be able to afford.
Authors stood with anticipation at their tables, piled with books concerning everything from how to be a better teacher, to lesson plans on botany. Roaming waiters walked around the shop-talking educators with trays of hors d'oeuvres.
The winding staircase to the mezzanine level made gawking out the windows, toward the lights of Washington D.C. impossible to ignore. The lightning flashes and smashing of horizontal rain, slamming into the panes of glass added a lure of danger Tessa’s friends appeared to enjoy. They laughed and waved at people, some of which they didn’t really know, hoping to be a part of someone’s party after the dinner and speeches.
Through it all, Tessa remained cool and aloof with vigilant attention to finding her uncle. Or at least, that is what she tried to tell herself. Something inside her anticipated Chase would materialize, rescuing her from the evening’s mindless parade of people showcasing their fashion sense, when in truth, they had none. Even Shelly made a comment concerning a sixty something woman in a purple sequin dress.
“What was she thinking? Who do you think convinced her that was slimming?”
Both Kate and Tessa burst into laughter and entered the foray of attendees. “That’s why you can’t go wrong with black,” she whispered to her friends. They nodded in agreement having decided to go with black dresses in varying degrees of sparkle. “You girls look fabulous by the way.” Tessa eyed her friends with an approving nod.
Shelly sniffed. “Not that anyone will notice with you in that strapless cocktail dress. Your boobs are pushed up so high they’ll think you’re a Victoria Secret model.”
Kate started laughing as Tessa swatted her friend on the butt. “Unfortunately, there’s way too much of me to get that impression.”
“There’s my new best friend.” Shelly chirped spotting the bartender. She slipped an arm around both her companions, giving them a tug. “Distract him, Tessa, and maybe we’ll get our drinks free.”
Removing her friend’s arm, Tessa smiled. “Honestly, Shelly, you’re incorrigible.”
They stood at the end of one of the lines to the bar. At least ten people waited ahead of them. When the three women stopped at the edge of a corridor, Tessa’s eyes drifted back to the flashes of light seen through the large plate glass windows. Shelly and Kate chatted with others in line, knowing no stranger or limit to topics of conversation. Without warning someone in the corridor reached out and slipped a hand in hers.
Jerking her head around, she tried to pull her hand free. Chase leaned against the wall with a grin on his face. He eyed her appreciatively, making her feel almost naked. When his eyes came back to meet hers, he dropped her hand. Shifting his eyes down the corridor, she decided to follow.
“Shelly, I’m going to find the ladies room.”
“Want anything?”
“No. I’ll get some tea at dinner.” She started to move away as her friend made a flippant remark about being a stick-in-the-mud.
Chase had already neared the end of the corridor when she started to follow. He turned right and opened a door which began to close behind him almost immediately. Just as Tessa caught the handle she stole a look back down the corridor to make sure no one had seen her. She slipped into the room. Acutely aware the room was in total darkness except for a small security light hanging over the door, Tessa tensed at the eerie glow. Uneasiness swept over her.
What was I thinking following such a dangerous man into a dark room, Tessa thought as she turned to leave? But the feel of Chase’s hands on her waist made her back up so quickly she thumped against the padded wall.
The red glow cast him into the look of the devil himself and made Tessa’s heart race with anticipation and fear. She knew what he was capable of; last night reminded her of that. He could make love to you one moment and kill a man in the same instant without so much as elevating his heartbeat.
~~~
Pushing his hands away only brought a breathy laugh so close it moved the strand of hair that had fallen across her face. He wanted to touch it but knew she’d over react.
“You look beautiful, Tessa.” His words were laced with sexy warmth meant to unnerve her.
“What are you doing here? Isn’t the Secret Service in charge now? Have you seen my uncle? Where are the others?” Tessa’s nervous chatter seemed to be edged in guilt for something he couldn’t understand.
Chase put his hand on the wall near her ear. When she tried to slide away he cut off the retreat by putting the other hand up. “Questions. You’re full of them. I’d forgotten how you chatter when you’re nervous.”
Her eyelids fluttered, making the corners of his eyes crease in amusement. She liked putting on a brave show, but her body language spoke something completely different.
“I have a right to know anything about my uncle.”
“True. After all, it is your crazy uncle that has gotten you into this mess.” He managed to make her stiffen at the insult. “I’m here, Tessa, because you are distracting the Secret Service from their watch.” His smile glowed in the dark. A large hand came down on her bare shoulder, causing her to bump into his other arm in hopes of escape. “Easy.”
“Don’t talk to me like I’m some racehorse that needs a rub down.”
“Trust me, Tessa; I would never think of rubbing you down like a horse.” He continued to smile wolfishly, knowing he was unnerving her.
Putting her hands on his chest she pushed, but only succeeded in making him chuckle deep in his throat. “You should not be following men who carry guns into dark rooms. I see you’ve a great deal to learn if you’re going to keep getting into Enigma business.”
“For your information this is the last thing I ever do for your rogue band of sketchy agents. I’m still not convinced you’re on the up and up.”
She dared lift her eyes to meet his and bit her lip. He wanted to cast common sense to the wind and succumb to the desire welling up inside him. Their eyes embraced, confused and stimulated by something taboo.
“You’re a terrible liar, Tessa. You get off on all this cloak and dagger stuff. I can see it in your eyes. Everywhere you go you’re looking for something to happen.” He slid his hand from her shoulder down her arm slowly. “Following me in here was risky.”
“Oh I see,” she fumed. “I think that little nod you gave me and the twitch of your fingers was some kind of order to follow so you could fill me in on what the heck I’m supposed to do tonight. But no,” she pushed against his chest again and slapped his hand from her forearm, “you’re trying to finish what you started last night. Despicable.”
“Last night I only wanted to get you out of trouble. Again.” His eyes darted to the lip she was biting. “You didn’t protest all that much as I remember.”
“It’s pretty hard to protest when your tongue is half way down my throat,” she growled, which only made him laugh deeper and trap her again with his hands on either
side of her head.
“Are you angry because I kissed you or because you kissed me back?”
Tessa sucked in her breath with astonishment. “You are so full of yourself. I’m not one of your brainy bimbos that swoon at the mere sight of you.”
“That you are not.” The temptation to pull her into his arms forced him to take a step back. His clothes were getting uncomfortable and his heart hammered in his ears. “Why don’t we go to your suite and discuss strategy?”
“That’s the poorest attempt at a come-on I’ve ever heard.” Now that he wasn’t so close, Tessa straightened and attempted to pull up the bodice of her dress. She had no idea how much of a target she’d become to Chase’s careless visual examination.
“What’s gotten into you? You don’t like married women and you certainly don’t fraternize with other Enigma agents.” She gave the bodice another yank. “Seems to me I’m the poster child for double trouble.”
“Yeah,” he grinned eyeing the woman before him with unabashed approval. “That was before you wore that dress. I’m thinking maybe I was a little hasty.”
Tessa jerked her chin up in mock disgust. “Are you really flirting with me, Chase?” Her voice was appalled.
With narrowed eyes he appeared to consider the question before speaking. “No. I’m pretty sure I’m hitting on you. It’s all the more enjoyable that you don’t even realize it. You’re such a babe in the woods, Tess. I’ll have to make sure no one takes advantage of that. It really is such a temptation to some men.”
She took an angry step toward him. “And who will watch you?”
His smile faded to a narrow line as he caressed her face with his dark eyes. “I’m counting on you to do that.” He quickly encircled her waist with one arm as she tried to slip away. But when he pulled her tighter against his chest she stopped and glared up at him. With his free hand he reached up and removed the clip from her curls so they fell around her shoulders.
Releasing her, Tessa stumbled back against the wall. He handed her the rhinestone clip which she snatched. “It’s hard for me to concentrate with so much skin showing. That dress doesn’t leave much to the imagination, I might add.”
“Well next time I’ll wear my flannel pjs, and Spiderman house shoes. That should cool your jets a bit.” Tessa pushed her hair away from her face. He watched the movement like a starving tiger, ready to pounce on his next meal.
“Maybe that works with your husband, but let me be clear,” he said with one corner of his mouth turning up, “the thought of you in flannel pjs, and Spiderman house shoes is kind of a turn on.”
This broke the frosty attitude Tessa tried so hard to maintain. She started to laugh until a tear squeezed from the corner of her eye. Chase laughed too. “Okay. Stop it.” Choking on her laughter caused her to place a hand on her throat before she cut her eyes back up at him.
Chase fought the pull of his needs. “I don’t think a woman has ever found my advances so funny.”
Tessa cocked her head teasingly. “I bet.” The words rushed from her mouth before she could stop them, causing a blush to start up her neck.
“You are a dangerous distraction.” He could smell her fragrance, soft and unusual. The low red glow from the security light bounced off her hair leaving it a strange color of copper. “But as of now, we have other matters to deal with.” He waited for her to respond, noticing she’d begun to shy away from him again. Resisting the temptation to pull her back, Chase continued. “Your uncle is still at large. We thought we had him this morning but managed to slip away without Sam noticing.”
“Sam!” Tessa’s blood ran cold. The dark beauty hated her and the reason was standing right in front of her. “How would she know anything about my uncle?”
“It doesn’t matter. What we do know is that the Israelis are involved somehow. Sam should be here soon with the prime minister.”
“Doesn’t he have his own protection detail?” The fact that Chase stood close enough to feel her breasts rise and fall with each breath diminished the seriousness of her uncle’s disappearance.
“Sam is escorting him to the banquet.” He smiled knowingly. “You needn’t be concerned about Sam. Maybe the two of you will learn to get along.” He hid his doubts.
“Are you sleeping together?” Tessa asked sarcastically.
“You know better than that. Besides it’s none of your business.”
“Look, I don’t care who you sleep with, I just don’t want her to think we are. That could get me killed. Maybe you think national security is nasty business, but finding myself alone with that Amazon could really ruin my day.”
“I’m not sleeping or having sex with Sam.” He flashbacked to a small motel in the Sierra Nevada Mountains a year earlier where he’d found himself under the sheets with Tessa. Apparently by the expression on her face, she was remembering the same thing. “I promise you’re the only Enigma person I’ll ever take to my bed.” It was impossible to stifle his throaty laugh when she groaned with embarrassment.
“Not a word of that to anyone,” she shushed. “That will never happen again.”
“Does that mean no flannel pjs and Spiderman house shoes?” he teased looking seductively into her blue eyes.
“No flannel pjs.”
“Even better.” Again the wolfish show of teeth. “Gives a man something to live for.”
“What do you want me to do?” she snapped realizing it was a poor choice of words when he lifted one eyebrow in speculation. “Seriously? The president’s life is in danger and you want to play word games? I’m appalled. I see you’ve been getting some ‘pick-up’ advice from Carter, the playboy astronaut. I’m making a mental note to buy you both a book called Pickup Lines for Dummies.”
He eyed her for a few moments before speaking. It wasn’t like him to bait anyone, especially a woman. Foreshadow, strategize, and activate the plan. Chase used that mantra for life in general, including for women. Why change when your blueprint worked with everything? Except Tessa didn’t appear to be anywhere close to succumbing to his charm. Obviously his advances were seen as trivial and unsophisticated.
“As I was saying before you started obsessing over Sam.” He raised his hand for silence when her mouth opened. “It doesn’t hurt to have another layer of protection.” He took a breath trying to slow down his heartbeat. “Shortly after both men speak they will be escorted out.”
Tessa felt her body relax as Chase returned his hands to his sides and edged slightly away from her body. “Sounds simple and safe.”
“Except the president’s aides think he should shake a few hands and kiss a few butts. The election is a year and half away. The audience tonight has tremendous power. Think of all the students, then their parents affected by this one night and you’ve got a pretty powerful voting-block. The president is just cocky enough to think he’s invincible.”
She smiled and reached up to straighten his tie. The sudden impulse to pull her into his arms rushed through him. Chase wondered if his desire showed in his eyes because she withdrew her hands slowly as if trying to avoid a hungry tiger.
“And me? What do I do? I feel so helpless. My uncle is only doing this because his Liberty buddies are being held against their will.” She took a deep breath. “Is it even possible he could get through security?”
He frowned. “Not likely, but clearly the Egyptians have had this in the works for some time. Someone else is involved. We just don’t know who. We’ve found out which Liberty sailors are missing. Their families all thought they were traveling to D.C. for the hearings scheduled in a few days. Someone claiming to be from the Veterans’ Administration sent them plane tickets and expense money to come early.”
“But that wasn’t true?”
“No. The V.A. doesn’t have that kind of money to throw around. Every dime is spent before they get it these days. With the Iraq War and the ongoing war in Afghanistan they’re not real interested in something that happened in 1967. Besides they’re in trouble for all thei
r mishandling of funds as it is.”
“Did the men arrive in D.C.?”
Standing so close, impaired his matter of fact voice. His eyes never stopped exploring her face; first her eyes, then a slide to her mouth before lifting to her hair. Just because he preferred single women and civilians didn’t mean he wouldn’t zero in on what he felt was an irresistible target.
“Chase?”
Chase shook his head. “Out of the five only one made it to the hotel. The others landed at Reagan but never arrived at the hotel. Security cameras showed them getting into cabs but after that they were off the grid.”
“What about the one who got to the hotel? Did you talk to him?”
“No. That was your uncle. He has all the information we need to fill in the gaps. Is there anything else you remember from last night that he told you? I realize things were moving a little fast…” He stopped and looked at the door which slowly began to open. Reflex forced his hand inside his jacket to rest on his weapon.
~~~
Tessa held her breath and unconsciously put her hand out that came to rest on Chase’s side. As the door groaned a ribbon of light poured into her eyes forcing Tessa to lift one hand as a shade. She felt Chase jerk away from her as he reached through the opening, yanking a man inside. Just as quickly, Chase released him then shoved the body against the closing door.
“You kids in here making out?” Carter Johnson tried to smooth his tux as his eyes went to Tessa. A wolf whistle escaped his lips as he reached out and pulled her forward. Much to her objections, the former astronaut twirled her around, making her a little wobbly on her high heels. “Sweetheart, you are one hot babe. No wonder those Secret Service guys upstairs are scanning the place for you. Should have known,” his eyes went to Chase, “our captain would corner the market.”
Winds of Deception (Enigma Series Book 2) Page 13