“We’ve got to get our story straight. I have to put a tracker on Internado’s car. If he does play at Greta’s, we’ll need to bring the right kind of surveillance devices. I’ve got a camera watch, but my camera glasses won’t work with the masks.”
He placed his hand on her thigh. “Whoa, baby, slow down.”
Heat ripped through her like wildfire. Going forward, they were a committed, married couple…in love. She stared out the window as he drove over Key Bridge into Virginia. How am I going to manage through this?
“We won’t be able to strategize at my house if my roommate’s home. She’ll be salivating for details if she hears about our fake marriage at a hardcore kink club.”
“What’s going on with her?”
“Writer’s block,” she said as he parked on the slab beside her Acura. “That’s her car on the street.”
“I’ve got to swing by the office. Pack some clothing and I’ll meet you at my place.”
“What for?”
“Married couples live together.”
She barked out a laugh. “Don’t you think you’re taking this pretend marriage a little too far?”
“No. I have no idea if this Greta woman will quiz us on which side of the bed we sleep on or who makes dinner on Tuesdays.”
“It’s a sex club, Ash, not a game show.”
“You just said you can’t work here. You’ve got the yacht to yourself on weekdays. Plus, I have a top-secret clearance. Your secrets are safe with me.” He held up three fingers. “Scouts honor.”
She fiddled her stack rings. “I don’t know about this.”
“Carly, I’ve got payroll obligations to meet and ThunderStrike isn’t flush with cash. I have one pay period, maybe two, before I have to start letting people go. I’m offering you a paid gig. Don’t let me down.”
She stared into his eyes while the air grew thick with sensual tension. How could she desert him when he needed her… again? With so much at stake, she wouldn’t refuse him. “I’ll help you, but I won’t take your money.”
His relieved smile melted her. “Thank you. But I am paying you and you are not going to argue with me. If you get to the marina first, make yourself at home. You know where I hide my spare key.”
“I do.” She opened the car door and turned back to him. “I won’t let you down.”
“You never do.”
Convincing everyone she was in love with him would be easy. Convincing herself it was just an act would be impossible.
Maverick stood before his staff, determined to bolster their spirits. “Today we suffered a tough blow, but we aren’t giving up. I know you’re anxious and worried about job security. Trust me to do my job of reversing the committee’s decision. We’ll overcome this challenge like we’ve overcome past ones. In the meantime, it’s business as usual.”
In truth, his world was imploding.
He answered questions as best he could without divulging his plan. Then, he gave his team the rest of the afternoon off.
On the way to his car, he called his dad. “Are you at home?”
“I will be in ten.”
“Got a few minutes for me?”
“Always. C’mon by.”
Fifteen minutes later, Maverick entered his childhood home, a two-story colonial in Fairfax. He found his dad pouring two iced teas in the kitchen.
“Did you work today?” Maverick sunk down on a cushioned stool at the center island.
His father, retired from his career as D.C.’s chief prosecutor, ran his own legal practice. “I had some details to iron out for Mom’s annual charity tournament.” He furrowed his brow, studied his son’s face. “Things didn’t go well at the hearing, did they?”
