I slumped onto the bed and stared up at the ceiling as if willing myself to somehow fly through it and then proceed to fly all the way back home. Perhaps to the other side of the galaxy, maybe I’d meet a wormhole on the way and disappear into the next fucking quadrant! I hated this. Hatedhim. Hated that I was about to do something that went against every instinct I had, especially the one for self-preservation.
‘Fine!’ I sat up, trying to psych myself up. I would do it, but not for him.Definitelynot for him. I’d do it for professionalism and Sharaz and justice and—
My thoughts ground to a screeching halt when the bathroom door swung open and Cam walked out. He was wearing what was possibly the world’s smallest towel. I blinked once. Twice. But no amount of blinking could erase what was in front of me. ‘What the hell are you wearing?’
‘A towel.’ He sounded totally unfazed.
‘No,’ I snapped, gesturing wildly at the fabric, which barely coveredanything. ‘That is afucking face cloth.’
‘Well, it’s all there was.’ He shrugged, unconcerned by what was an almost complete lack of cock coverage.
‘Do you always have to walk around with thatthingout? Does italwayshave to be on full display?’
His lips twitched into one of those smug Cam smiles. ‘Why? Are you looking?’
‘I’m not trying to look, but you make it fairly hard not to. And don’t look so pleased with yourself, because this is horrifying. I’m horrified. And deeply, deeply concerned about your complete and utter lack of decency and decorum.’
He burst out laughing. ‘Since when did you use the word “decorum”, or even care about it?’
‘When I can see your left testicle hanging out from behind a face cloth!’ I said, and pointed.
Cam looked down. ‘It’s nothing you haven’t seen before.’
‘Just because I’ve seen it before doesn’t mean I want to see it again!’ I shielded my eyes as he reached down and tried to readjust himself, but failed miserably when something else popped out.
‘What?’ His face was a picture of innocence. ‘I was trying to put it back.’
‘Please don’t bother. In fact, please don’t make any sudden movements at all. In fact, never move again.’
‘Yes, ma’am.’
I eyed him incredulously, and then slowly shook my head. ‘Notfalling for it.’
‘Not falling for what?’ he asked, as if he wasn’t totally aware of what he was trying to do.
‘You think you know me. Well, let me tell you, you really don’t. Calling me “ma’am” is not going to rile me up. I refuse to be riled by you, or . . .’ I waved my arm in that general direction again, ‘that!’
He laughed, and then sauntered across the room and sat down. He actually sat!
‘God.’ I hid my face in my hands to shield my eyes.
‘So what did Sharaz say? Are we the Seychelles’ newest, hottest and most in love, can’t-keep-our-hands-off-each-other couple?’
I shook my head and let out an almighty sigh. ‘There are going to be rules, Cam. And you have to stick to them.’
‘What rules?’
‘Firstly, you’re not allowed to just hold my hand or touch me whenever you feel like it. No taking advantage of the situation.’
‘You know me. I’dnevertake advantage of something like this.’
‘What? Because last night you definitely didn’t take advantage when we were dancing and the Blade came over.’ I lifted my head. My hands were still plastered across my face and I only dared to peer at him through a small gap between my fingers. ‘You took that way too far.’
‘Well, I was trying to convince a trained assassin not to kill us, and he was looking rather suspiciously at us before I kissed you.’
‘Stick to the rules this time, trained assassin or not.’ I opened my fingers a little more.
He held up his hands in mock surrender. ‘Fine. No hand-holding, no unnecessary touching, no kisses. Whatever makes you comfortable.’ He leaned back slightly, that smug little smirk still on his stupid face. ‘You won’t regret this. It’s going to be great.’
