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"I'm heading home," she told them. "It's been a long day for me. "
"Already?" Courtney pouted. "I was hoping we could have a few more drinks before we left. "
"Not tonight. " Marty shook her head. "I'm driving. But next time, I promise. "
"She's being a spoilsport, Aly. " Courtney turned to Alyssa. "Do something about her. "
Alyssa shook her head as a smile tugged at the corner of her lips. "She's not the only one who needs to make an early night of it," she said. "I need to head home as well. Perhaps next time. "
"You're both going to give me a bad reputation if I begin arriving home before midnight," Courtney stated ruefully. "Ian may begin to believe I'm actually settling down. "
"I'm sure you can convince him otherwise. " Rising to her feet, Marty gave the other two women a little wave before moving from the balcony and heading along the wide hall to the stairs. As she left the restaurant she noticed that Khalid was no longer at his table.
She needed to get home to her computer, from which she could pull up the information she needed on the three men. There was a connection among them; there had to be. Despite appearances, those three should not be together, for the simple reason that they all had something to lose if the wrong people saw them together. Someone like Deerfield, or one of his agents.
Shayne Connor might be an agent, but only a few within the FBI knew that. The operation that had brought her in contact with him had necessitated her keeping his true purpose for being there a secret. He was a valuable contact to have, and one she didn't want to cross.
Making her way from the club Marty strode along the sidewalk to the parking lot, preferring to walk rather than use the valet.
Shadows stretched along the area despite the lights that surrounded it. Customers milled around as they chatted and moved to and from the restaurant. No one appeared interested in anything other than their own concerns. No one paid attention to the lone woman walking through the parking lot until she neared her car.
"You didn't mention you were going out this evening, love. " Khalid spoke from the shadows of the trees, stepping just close enough to allow her to make out his dim outline as the darkness wrapped around him like a jealous lover.
Leaning against the BMW she crossed her arms beneath her breasts, refusing to tread into the darkness where he watched her like a dark, hungry predator.
"I didn't know that I should give you my itinerary," she drawled, watching as he moved closer, the hungry glint in his eyes fueling the adrenaline coursing through her.
"Perhaps you should," he stated, his voice low, deep, throbbing with a hidden power.
She swore she could feel him under her flesh, the heat of his body sinking inside her as he stopped just before her.
"Perhaps you're living in a dream world," she said, challenging him, challenging the command in his expression as he stared down at her, his gaze dark, seductive.
"And perhaps you are trying to involve yourself in matters that do not concern you. "
He didn't touch her, but the need for it was a hunger she could feel wrapping around her.
"I'm always getting into things I shouldn't. That is my job description. Remember?" She straightened, bringing her body closer to his, the heat of him nearly flush against her.
"Stop. " His fingers curled around her upper arm as his expression tightened, his gaze narrowing on her.
"Stop what?" Brow lifting, she stared back at him archly. "Remember, Khalid, you sought me out, it wasn't the other way around. "
"I know you," his voice was a heavy growl. "You're about to make a mistake, Marty. "
"A mistake?" Her hand lifted, pressing lightly against his chest. "I'm not the one that made this mistake. I believe that was you. "
She could feel his heart beneath her hand, beating hard and heavy, racing with the same power that she felt in her own.
"Your father warned me to stay the hell away from you. " His fingers tightened on her arm reflexively
. "I believe he should have warned you instead. "
A smile tipped her lips. "He knows better. " She moved closer, watching his expression, feeling the power of her own inexperience and the desperate need tearing through her. Seducing him was her goal, but it was going to take more than standing in the dark with him.
"You should know better than this. " Suddenly, as though the power of her own need transmitted to him, he pulled her against his body, one hand pressing tight and hard against her hips to hold her flush against the strength of his erection.
The heavy, erect width of his cock pressed against her lower stomach, the heat of it sinking past his slacks and the silk of her clothes as her breath caught in her throat.
