Oh, she’s going to keep me on my toes.
He didn’t understand why he was sure of it—he just knew he was.
Now, he just had to persuade her to take a chance on a washed-up operator who lived states away from here and was almost at the end of his career.
Easy day. Easy fucking day.
But he knew easy wouldn’t be part of the equation when it came to winning the trust of this wary woman. He reached for another beer when an idea popped into his head, and he put it back without opening it and reached for water instead. He glanced at his watch and calculated the amount he’d had to drink in his head and when the photographer would finish for the night. If he stopped now, then he should still be okay to drive.
Keeping an eye on Rose as she went about her duties became a lesson in self-restraint. When was the last time someone had captivated him so much or so fast? He was pretty sure the answer to that was never. There was just something about her that drew him like a flame pulls in the moth. If he didn’t find some brain cells fast, he was pretty sure that, just like the moth, he was going to get burned big time.
Did it stop him watching her or wandering around the room just to stay in her orbit, though? No. No, it did not.
He hooted and hollered along with all the guests when Draven scooped his bride up, tossed her over his shoulder, and strode toward the ballroom door.
“It’s so romantic,” Matthew “Wolf” Steel’s wife Caroline remarked as she hurried along next to her husband while they followed the bride and groom through the hotel lobby and out into the parking lot.
“Yep,” Wolf agreed. “I’ll toss you over my shoulder and carry you upstairs when they’ve left.”
Caleb grinned at Wolf and winked before his attention was once again drawn to the photographer. Damn, if only she’d give him a hint that she’d enjoy it, he’d scoop her up and run off with his prize too. But Rose’s attention and camera lens were focused on the vintage Ford decorated with tin cans and balloons, which Draven placed his bride into. He stood as close to her as he could without getting in the way of her shot. His big frame kept Draven’s aunt and her camera out of the way, ensuring Rose’s lens wasn’t hindered as she got the money shot.
“Thanks,” Rose whispered. “I’ve been sidestepping around her all day.”
He peered over her shoulder at the photo she’d just taken. “Awesome job. Well done.”
“Thanks,” Rose replied. “It’s a good one.” She turned her attention back to the camera, focusing on her job as Indy and Draven’s getaway car took off down the curved driveway.
Caleb hooted and hollered with the rest of them. When the car disappeared from view, he turned to ask Rose if she’d consider having a drink with him now that the happy couple had left for the night and frowned when he found she’d disappeared. “Damn.”
He followed the crowd back into the hotel function room, keeping his eyes peeled for her. His heart sank when he didn’t find her.
Damn it. She must have slipped out when I wasn’t looking.
Fuck.
He scanned the room of couples who had gone back to dancing and decided there was no point in staying any longer. He wasn’t in the mood for dancing. At least if he went back to the apartment his boss kept for his team here in Riverton, then he could drink himself into a coma and wake up in his own bed tomorrow.
4
Rose glanced over her shoulder. Her shoulders itched in warning; she just didn’t know where the trouble was going to come from.
There’s nothing there.
Has he found me?
Crap.
This cannot be happening right now.
She tramped down the unease that she knew from experience would make her freeze. She scanned the street behind her, peering into the shadows between the lights, but couldn’t see anything.
Maybe I should have taken a cab or allowed Indy and Draven to pay for the hotel room they’d offered.
It wasn’t in her nature to accept anything that smelled remotely of charity. Her family had drilled it into her head for way too long. Handouts or help are charity, and if you can’t do it yourself, then you are worthless, which was why she was walking to the bus stop less than two blocks from the hotel. Of course, the closest stop didn’t go her route. She’d checked and double-checked and decided that rather than changing buses by taking the one closest to the hotel, she’d walk an extra block and take the bus closest to where she wanted to get off instead.
I’m regretting all my life choices right now.
Stupid. Stupid. You know better than to be out in the open. He has spies everywhere.
