“I can handle that squirmy worm.” Marjorie shoved her laptop into her bag.
Brigit snorted.Squirmy wormwas one of Marjorie’s favorite phrases. Marjorie winked at her.
As Colton stood and buttoned his suit jacket, there was a knock on his door. “Enter.”
Red walked in. “Marjorie, Vonn will drive you to Dulles. Colton, tonight’s event is confirmed. I need your ear.”
“Finally, some good news.” Colton stepped aside to speak with her.
Brigit hugged Mrs. Mic. “Thanks for nudging him to confide in me,” she whispered.
Marjorie nodded. “I’ll keep you posted.” Red escorted Marjorie out.
They were alone. When her eyes met his smoldering stare, her body stirred.
“We leave in thirty,” he said. “Taylor will assist with what to wear.”
Not again.Dread crept into her consciousness, pushing out all those glorious tingles. Leaving the compound felt like tempting fate. Could she refuse? The steadfast look in his eyes was a resoundingno. “Can you bring another Mitus minion?”
“This is one event you won’t want to miss.”
His charming grin sent her pulse skyrocketing. That man was too damned hot. In his doorway, she turned back. “I’ll be ready.”
Secretly she liked spending time with him. With Francesco front and center, it was only a matter of time before Colton learned about her past. Once he knew the truth, he’d want nothing more to do withhisBrigit. Was it so wrong to follow her heart, just this once?
38
DREAM LAKE
Two hours later, Coltonparked the Mercedes near the building in a mostly deserted lot and cut the engine. In the darkened car Brigit flipped her gaze to him. “Spelunking is definitely an unexpected work event.”
He’d never said the wordwork, but she’d figure that out soon enough. With his hand on the door handle, he turned toward her. “No cave crawling.” Though Brigit had already stepped out, he walked around to her side, lifted her jacket from the front seat and shut the car door. She’d worn hiking boots, jeans and a brown sweater. “You look great. Why don’t you dress like that more often?”
“The Clothing Czar has a lot of rules.” She shot him a snarky smile, took her jacket from him and walked toward the entrance.
The soft breeze blew tendrils across her cheek. On impulse he wanted to brush the fly-aways, but tonight was about exercising control.
“I’ve never been here,” she said as they headed toward the entrance.
“Me neither. A first for us both.”
Her expression softened. He’d arranged the evening as a show of gratitude. His portfolio was no longer limping along like an injured pup. For the first time in months, he’d seen significant gains. And she’d proven herself a strong ally where Francesco was concerned.
But nothing was ever simple.
Since the break-in, he’d been ignoring Tucker’s constant reminders to put the squeeze on her.She knows the perp,Tucker had told him.Get her to talk.Was this the right venue to encourage her to open up? Truth was, he needed alone time with Brigit. No staff, no work, and no fucking MobiCom breathing down his neck. Like a Neanderthal, he was dragging her ass to a cave.
Best ass I’ve ever seen.
A young man dressed in Dockers and a black cable-knit sweater trotted into the cool lobby. “Mr. Mitus? I’m Will, your host.” The two men shook hands, then Colton introduced Brigit.
Will cleared his throat. “Welcome to Luray Caverns. I’m going to take you back four hundred million years as we explore one of the oldest wonders and beauties of our planet. The temperature throughout the cave is a constant fifty-four degrees.”
“Where is everyone?” Brigit asked as they descended into the mouth of the cavern and down the low-lit walkway.
“We close to the public at four o’clock,” explained Will. “The caverns are yours this evening.”
“Oh, wow.” She looked at Colton and grinned. Her beautiful smile was worth the expense.
