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eyes my way, and the lady who I’m about to offer a little hanky to for her drooling condition twists her mouth. She shakes her head, appearing not the least bit delighted with the interruption.
    â€œSir, excuse me, but would you be so kind as to accompany me to my room?”
    The tip of Daniel’s mouth slants into a lopsided grin as he slowly rises to stand. I hold my hand out for him. With Daniel’s hand in mine, I bend down to near the baffled lady’s ear and whisper, “He seems quite potent, no?” I wink at her and turn to give Daniel a quick, sass-coated once-over.
    â€œWhat did you tell her?” Daniel asks as we exit the ample room.
    I smirk, looking at him from under my lashes, the tip of my tongue held between my teeth.
    â€œHales?”
    â€œThat you look like a decent lay.”
    Daniel shakes his head, his eyes crinkled at the sides. “So, Miss, now that you have me, what would I have to do in your room?” he teases and adds, “Weren’t we supposed to have dinner? I’m starving, baby.”
    â€œFollow me.” I wink at him, exiting the elevator. Swiping the card at the door, I wait for the little green light to come on and push open the door. “The correct question, Sir, is what you wouldn’t have to do.”
    Daniel lets out an animated snort. “Dinner, Hales?” he asks following me into the suite.
    â€œTada!” I gesture with my hand to the little shindig of a picnic set on the coffee table in the great room.
    Daniel takes it in and walks to the table. He leans down to reach one of the domes with two fingers and opens it. “God, I love you,” he murmurs to the display of nicely browned, roasted ribs that enrich the room with the most mouthwatering smoky aroma. “So I guess it’s staying in tonight.” He steals a fry and brings it to his mouth.
    â€œWell, it’s actually having dinner with a Kill Bill marathon.”
    â€œYou’re fucking perfect.” Husky and happy.
    â€œYou’re not bad either.” Flirty and joyful.
    We’re halfway through the first movie when I leave my snuggly den under Daniel’s arm for a quick pit stop.
    â€œPause it?” Daniel asks from his resting place on the thick carpet, his back leaning against the sofa.
    â€œNah.” I send him a tiny smile. Daniel’s warm stare follows me as I bend to take the leftovers of our dinner and set them outside the door. He watches until I disappear in the vast hall en route to the en suite.
    When I come back to the living area, Daniel pauses the movie on the screen. His gaze as he leisurely drinks me in causes warmness to spread over my skin. Said stare grows absorbed, even hypnotized, as if the sheer breaths I take put him in a transfixed state.
    â€œCome here.” He offers me his hand, his voice a smoky, coaxing command. I slowly bend down to straddle him. We trade silent gazes as I settle myself on his pelvis. His features soften. I tip my head down, locking our stares. An easy smile touches his lips. His hand moves up to thread into my hair, pausing on the nape of my neck. The distracting chime of Daniel’s phone breaks our promising moment. His forehead creases as he checks the screen.
    â€œIt’s okay, get it,” I say in a tranquil voice.
    Daniel brings the disturbing device closer to his ear. He huffs, pulling me near to nestle on his chest. I inhale the mix of the clean linen and his warm manly scent. His fingers comb through my hair, caressing in little indulging circles as he listens to the person on the other end. Daniel drops his lips to press on the center of my head.
    In the warmness of his embrace, my mind drifts back to the subject that has been occupying my every waking hour for the past two weeks. I feel restless and queasy, but in a good way, with what I’m about to share with him.
    â€œFine.” Daniel heaves a bothered sigh. “I’ll do the interview. No