Page 12 of Have To Be Mine

He stared at my hand before he finally shook it. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.”

“Not a big fan of kidding when I’m on the job.”

“You’re the military chick? You’re my babysitter?”

“I prefer logistics specialist. But if that’s how you want to think of me, then yes.”

“This is Stacy and Natasha,” Dash said, gesturing lazily at the women. “They’re part of the Athens shoot.”

“Nice to meet you,” I said.

“You smell amazing,” Stacy said, leaning toward me. “What is that? Chanel? Dior?”

Heat crept up my neck. “Oh. Uh, no. It’s just whatever lotion was in the hotel room.”

Why did I lie?

The waiter arrived with the mimosas. Dash took one and raised it slightly in my direction. “Join us.”

“I don’t drink on the job.”

“Of course you don’t.” He took a long sip, his eyes never leaving mine.

“I’m here to make sure your campaign runs smoothly,” I said.

“No thanks.”

“Not your choice and you know it.”

I saw frustration cross his face. He was working hard to keep up the unruffled appearance, but I saw the tension. We stared at each other. I refused to look away first.

Finally, he smiled. Not the playboy smile. Something else. Something that made my stomach do a weird flip.

“This is going to be fun,” he said.

“This is going to be professional.”

“Can’t it be both?”

“No.”

He laughed. “You know what? I believe you. You’re going to be absolutely no fun at all.”

“That’s the idea.”

“Ladies, can you excuse us?” he asked. “I need to consult with my consultant. Why don’t you head up to my suite? I’ll join you there soon.”

I took a seat across from him and studied his face. He looked tired. Stubble on his jaw. Dark circles under his eyes. He was much more put together at the wedding.

With his entourage gone, he quit playing the role of a playboy.

“You don’t have to be so fucking serious,” he growled. “I’ve got this handled. My brothers are being dramatic. I can handle the job. You can enjoy your paid vacation in Greece and leave me the hell alone. I’ll handle the logistics of the campaign. You can tell Adrian I’m a good boy. Tell him you’re keeping me in check.”

I arched an eyebrow and then smiled. “Yeah. That’s not going to happen.”

5

DASH