With his warning still in my head, I nod but stay silent.
“During the discussion of the assignment, it became clear that we need to make a change from our original plan.” He pauses. “For optics.”
“We’ve decided it’s best to have a female presence on the detail as well,” Elizabeth explains smoothly.
I blink. Elite has contracts with female operatives, but they are all on assignment right now. My brother’s anger suddenly makes sense. “You want me?”
But I’m not a field agent. I want to object, but I can feel Vincent’s eyes on me from where he’s standing.
“I don’t need the little girl to babysit me.” Keke’s eyes slide back to Liev. “I’m sure Liev is more than capable on his own.”
Elizabeth holds up her hands. “Keke, you can complain all you want, but this is going to happen. I am already fending off some of your corporate sponsors because of the comments you made about animal testing and the environment. Not to mention, your former personal assistant is selling stories to the press about your penchant for sleeping with anything in pants. Which wouldn’t be a problem except most of them work for you.”
“Not just pants.” Keke pretends to yawn and then slides a sly look at me. “I dabble in skirts, too. Occasionally at the same time.”
Her manager flushes so hard I’m surprised steam doesn’t come off him. “Keke?—”
My fingers curl against the edge of the table.
Brady shifts in his chair, jaw tightening. “I’m sorry, Elizabeth, this isn’t going to work.”
Keke rolls her eyes. “Oh my god. I’m joking. I won’t lay a finger on your little friends.”
“She knows she needs to be appropriate.” Elizabeth sends Brady a look across the table.
“No second chances.” Brady glowers at Keke. “If either of the operatives tells me you’ve gone over the line, we’re out.”
Keke waves her hand in the air dismissively. “Whatever.”
“Everyone take a beat,” Vincent interjects. “The whole point of having two operatives on this job is to prevent any unnecessary speculation. This is a very simple, straightforward job.” Vincent looks pointedly at me. “There are no real active threats to Ms. Novak. Your job will be primarily crowd control from vehicle to venue and to make sure she is secure in her hotel room at night.”
Okay, I can handle that.
I don’t realize my leg is bouncing until Liev’s large hand closes over my knee. When he gives it a gentle squeeze, I swear I feel an answering pulse in my core.
I am officially out of control.
Elizabeth takes over, sliding a folder across the table. “Keke is a brand ambassador for Atelier Florian. They are a high-end jewelry design house based out of New York. They are launching a new ruby line this year and have mapped out a miniature marketing tour ahead of the launch.”
“And that means?” Brady asks.
I’m doing my best to pay attention, but Liev’s hand is still on my knee, one fingertip drawing circles on the inside of my thigh, scrambling my thoughts.
This is such a bad idea. I should make him stop.
Instead, almost involuntarily, my thighs shift apart. For a split second, Liev’s hand stills, and then the finger resumes its circular motion.
“Public appearances at various events—their flagship store in New York, another store event in Chicago, then a photo shoot and dinner for their best clients in Dallas. There’s a stop in Vegas for a store opening, culminating in Los Angeles during fashion week where Atelier Florian is providing the jewels for one ofthe shows. There are also some interviews that need to happen in the same time frame.” Todd adds. “The store has secured a famous ruby parure—a matching set of jewels—from a museum in France for Keke to wear at each of these events to draw even more attention.”
“Vegas is going to be fun!” Keke exclaims. Elizabeth and Todd exchange a look.
I need to pay attention, but Liev’s maddeningly distracting finger drifts higher along the seam of my pants, making it impossible. I feel absolutely molten, and he’s barely touching me. The tingle in my core has turned into a sharp ache at the prolonged teasing, and I exhale too hard.
Brady frowns at me, and I stiffen.
Slowly, so that no one above the table can see his arm move, Liev removes his hand.
I want it back.
