Her lips curved in a tantalizing smile.
She is smokin’ hot.
As they peered into each other’s eyes, the energy turned chaotic. He had to touch her, had to feel her flush against him, so he extended his hand.
She slipped hers into his, he snaked his other arm around her waist and kissed her cheek.
The second they connected, the never-ending mayhem fell away. She felt like home. Once a random hookup, this beautiful, mysterious woman looked so different from her Russian alter ego.
Caroline did the introductions. “This is my future brother-in-law—and the wildest Santini—Gabriel. G, this is my close friend, Halston Devereux.”
“Halston,” he murmured. “Is that what we’re calling you tonight?”
Desire burned brightly in her sky-blue eyes.
“First, you’re No Name,” he continued. “Then, Barbi. Now, Halston. Who will you be next?”
“She’s a chameleon,” Evangeline said after joining the group. “And she’s very, very good at it.”
“We meet again,” Halston said to Gabriel. “Is three times the charm?”
Gone was her thick, Russian accent. Her tone had dropped, her seductive voice demanding his full attention as it caressed his ear. She wasn’t just a chameleon, she was a master of disguise.
But his hunch had been right. Her accent had fallen away a few times during sex.
Had she done that on purpose?
“Halston and I go way back,” Caroline said.
Gabriel’s thoughts were racing with questions and possible answers.
Does she work for the CIA? Maybe undercover with NSA? Is she even working for the Russian ambassador?
“It’s time to eat,” Sydney announced.
The beef tenderloin and smoked salmon were pulled from the oven while covered dishes on the center island were revealed. The delicious aroma of both entrees had the group from the family room descending on the kitchen.
Gabriel shifted toward Halston. She was busy moving her things off the kitchen table and into a corner chair.
“Halston, we’re eating in the dining room,” Caroline called over to her, “so you can leave everything where it is.”
Halston Devereux.
“A sexy name for a very beautiful woman,” Gabriel said.
“Watch out, Halston” Teddy said. “My brother’s a lady eater.”
Sparks flew between them, the air thick with sexual tension.
Facing her, Gabriel cupped her shoulders with his hands. A zing of desire shot through him. “You’re a complicated woman. Time to uncomplicate things.”
Teddy appeared with two glasses of Santini Chianti.
Halston took one, Gabriel the other.
“How can I help?” Halston asked.
“Keep him in check,” his brother said before bolting back to the center island.
