The man’s attention shifted, sensing that I was watching him. We stared at each other across the room, and I knew that he realized he was busted. His eyes crinkled as he smirked, then he backed slowly into the kitchen, disappearing.
Shit. I couldn’t go after him and leave Hazel here alone. Maybe it was nothing, another person admiring my mate, but I knew instinctively it was more than that.
I shot off a text to Wanda, asking her to run checks on the waitstaff here at the hotel.
For the rest of the lunch I waited for the guy to come back out, but I didn’t see him, even when the rest of the wait staff came out with dessert and coffee. Whoever he was, he’d vanished.
I had a bad feeling about the guy, but I also suspected that we wouldn’t see him again. Unless he was an idiot, he wouldn’t want to risk me recognizing him.
With that threat temporarily alleviated, I could turn my attention back to something more important – like the way this German lady was still flirting with my mate.
Hazel
Idid my best to concentrate on the morning’s sessions, but I was distracted. Thoughts kept racing through my mind… that kiss at the Sapphic Security gym, the voicemail from my father, waking up with Marilee wrapped around me.
“Will you be at the dinner tonight?” Greta asked with a flirty smile as the lunch program ended. She was standing a little too close for someone I had just met.
Behind me, Marilee made a low noise in her throat. I could swear she was growling, but I didn’t know why.
“I’m planning to.”
Greta switched to German. “Maybe you and I can get a drink afterwards.”
She looked over my shoulder at Marilee. “Unless this one is your girlfriend?”
“No, she’s not my girlfriend,” I said.
Greta looked delighted by that news. “Awesome, that means you’re available?”
Was I? I didn’t know how to answer that, so I settled for, “My life is kind of complicated right now.”
Greta patted me on the shoulder. “I can help with that.”
Normally I’d be totally attracted to Greta. If I wasn’t obsessed with my bodyguard that is.
“You must promise we can have a drink tonight. If you can ditch your puppy.”
“We kind of need to stick together,” I said. “She doesn’t know anyone else.”
Greta’s eyes narrowed with calculation. “Regardless, I want to get to know you better, even if we need to bring your chaperone. Maybe I can get a date for her too. I’ll see you tonight.”
“What was that about?” Marilee asked suspiciously once Greta left.
“Greta wants to go out with me tonight,” I said. “Alone.”
“Not happening.”
“Yeah, I know, but Greta is very persuasive.”
“She wants to persuade you out of your pants,” Marilee shot back, sounding very unhappy about it.
“I’m wearing a skirt.”
She rolled her eyes. “You know what I mean.”
Marilee’s bossiness was grating.
“I’m supposed to be here to network. What’s the harm in meeting her for a drink? You’ll be here anyway. I told her you need to come too.”
