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“Too bad we don’t have a laptop.”
“We can pick one up.” Edward slipped the drive and key into his pocket. “Good job.”
“Finding that was pure accident.”
“A lot of leads I get seem to happen by pure accident.” Edward grinned at him.
Daniel loved that smile. It transformed Edward’s harsh face into something warm and inviting. He thought back to that morning before their long drive to Paris, when he’d jacked them off together. That time, their sex had felt more like lovemaking. They’d moved together so slowly, their kisses deep and wet. His dick started to fill at the memory.
“You should see the way you’re looking at me,” Edward said, his tone low and full of something that sent butterflies into Daniel’s stomach. “Keep that up and we’re going to make use of the bed here.”
“I don’t want to have sex here. It’s not a good place. Let’s go get that laptop and dinner. I’m not letting you off the hook for dinner.”
“Your wish is my command.” Edward gave him another one of those toe-curling smiles and Daniel rethought his command, but only for a moment. He really didn’t want to have sex in the dead agent’s apartment.
They went to an Apple store in an old beautiful building near the Paris opera house. After standing in line for half an hour, they had a laptop. With bag in hand, Edward smiled as he dragged him down the block so that Daniel could stare up at the glorious Italian-style building. Daniel had to admit that it lived up to all his daydreams of The Phantom of the Opera.
After a few dozen pictures snapped on Daniel’s phone, Edward drove them back to their hotel. While Edward looked at the contents of the thumb drive, Daniel stood in the open doorway to the small balcony—this one only large enough for two small chairs. It was a sunny day, the temperature in the seventies, and people walked or rode bikes on the street below. He stepped out to the black wrought-iron railing and took in the river cruise boat slowly making its way along the Seine as people sipped glasses of wine.
He was definitely seeing some beautiful parts of the world on this trip. Danger aside, he was mostly enjoying himself because of Edward. Now that he’d accepted that the man had just been working to keep Americans safe, he was no longer angry about how they’d originally met. He still felt faintly embarrassed that he’d been so easy, but Edward was an extremely tempting man.
He was curious about what was on the thumb drive but knew it was something he wasn’t supposed to know, so he sat on one of the chairs and just enjoyed the summer breeze.
“I’ve got the location of the bank,” Edward announced as he came out onto the balcony. “The trick will be figuring out which identity Jones used to get you in to the thing. It’s more than likely the one with the Paris address on it. We’ll have to wing it and see.” Edward shook his head. “James was right. We still need you.”
“Was there any useful information on that drive?”
“Yes, but not what we needed. I have a feeling that will be in the safe deposit box.”
Daniel stood. “Then let’s go.”
Edward stepped close and tipped his chin up. “It’s late. Banks are all closed. Plus, I owe you dinner.”
“Are you sure?”
“Definitely. I just need to call James and request some supplies for tomorrow. Then I’ve got the perfect place in mind.”Chapter TwelveWalking out of the bank the next morning, Daniel held up his right hand to find that it was shaking slightly. That had been almost as nerve-wracking as the Bermuda kidnapping or being chased on the narrow road through the Pyrenees. The scrutiny in the bank had been intense, but every time he looked over at Edward, the man looked serenely calm and collected. As if he’d sneaked into bank vaults and safe deposit boxes all the time.
It was hard to believe this was the same man who had wined and dined him the night before. Edward had dressed in a dark suit and taken him to a trendy restaurant that was overflowing with locals. They drank wine and had amazing food before Daniel was whisked off to the Eiffel Tower, where Edward had secured tickets to the very top floor. Paris was spread out all around them in the fading daylight while little lights winked on around the city. Daniel even got a picture of them together with the city in the background, Edward’s arms wrapped around him. It was a once in a lifetime moment.
He clung to that memory now as he willed his heart to slow down again.
“I don’t remember ever feeling quite so nervous being in a bank,” Daniel said softly, as if he was sure people were still watching them. Or bank guards were going to come running out with their guns drawn. “It was like I could feel everyone’s eyes on me.”
