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Later that night,Leo sat up, watching Cygny sleep. It was still a shock to have her near.
Even more shocking was that he found working with her was easier than he’d anticipated. The assignment had also opened his eyes to Cygny’s insane knowledge of artwork.
When they’d been admitted into the room where the art was on display, Cygny all but ignored the guards that were armed to the teeth and focused on the three pieces of art. One piece of art was installed on each wall giving everyone lots of room to gather around and look their fill.
Leo had to hand it to whoever had organized the sale. The men guarding the artwork were well armed. Their weapons were top of the line.
And the men who held them weren’t just rent-a-cops or something similar. These men were mercenaries who probably collected top dollar for their work.
Cygny shifted in her sleep and the blanket that she’d pulled up over her earlier, slipped down and headed for the floor.
He caught it before it hit the ground and got up from his chair. He laid the blanket over her body and reached out his hand to smooth her hair back from her face.
Before he could back away, she opened her eyes and rolled onto her back.
Her eyes took a moment to focus on his face. “Hey.”
He smiled at how raspy her voice was. “Hey. Go back to sleep.”
“What are you doing up?”
“Just watching out for you. Go back to sleep.” He straightened and turned to walk back to the chair, but her hand caught at his fingers. Shaking his head he sighed and turned back to look at her. “Cy- Seriously, go to sleep.”
Her fingers tightened around his and she sat up, blinking at him. “You need rest too. I think we’re both going to need it tomorrow. I think this might be over before we realize it.”
He noted the bright look that lit up her face even when she was clearly exhausted.
Leo moved back to the edge of the bed and sat down beside her. “Do I need to get your little friend?”
Cygny’s cheeks heated, and her eyes went dark. “No, we don’t need that, do we?”
She was as turned on as she was confused. That, he could see.
“No, we don’t need to talk. Still, I can tell you were excited today.”
“Excited?” She grinned at him. “That’s an understatement. I was close enough to touch a Renoir today.”
“So, it’s real.”
She nodded. “As far as I can tell. I know all the foibles of every master forger who could have done that work. And I’ve studied newer ones as well, but none that I could see doing this kind of work.”
Her eyes shone in the soft cast of the moonlight that managed to come in through the tinted windows. He left his hand in hers and used his other hand to cup the side of her face. For a moment he wondered if she had worn that same joy on her face as a child. He hoped she did even though he didn’t think she enjoyed much of her early years.
“So you know what the boss wants you to do at the auction?”
Cygny nodded. “Yes. And I can’t wait.”
“I haven’t seen you this excited in…” Leo shrugged his shoulders and smiled right back at her. “I don’t think I’ve seen you this happy before.”
The look she gave him worried him a little. Her side-eye stare was a little tense.
“I’ve been happy.” Her protest wavered a little.
“I know, baby.” Keeping her name off of his lips was harder than he’d anticipated. “But you were… guarded before.”
He’d noticed it when they were together for the days leading up to the meeting with the FBI Agent. Cygny had always held back when they’d met before.
It didn’t make him suspicious or second guess her.
Now that he knew her better, he felt like he could tell the difference easily enough. He just hadn’t known to look for it before.
Now, he knew better.
And he wasn’t going to let her slip away again.
“Before…” she sighed and leaned into his touch, “I was a different person. Now, you know who I am inside.”
Smiling, Leo brushed her hair back from her face, reveling in the silken quality of her hair. “I think I know your outsides too.”
She reached out her arms and folded her hands together behind his neck and drew him close enough to kiss.
And the kiss she gave him was more than enthusiastic. It left him wanting to take it further with her, but there was no way in hell he was going to give someone a show if they had a camera in the room. He’d make it up to her later.
As soon as they got home to Fool’s Gold.
He didn’t take no for an answer the second time. Leo put Cygny to bed and resumed his position in his chair. Even after he’d left the service, he kept everything about his life the same. Including his bad sleeping habits. Still, it helped on an assignment like this. To be able to rest without falling completely asleep had served him before, kept him safe.
Now, he’d use it to protect her.
* * *
