Lethal Consequences Read Free Page B

standing in the middle of the living area of his suite, holding the small black clutch in her hand, studying the room with its high ceilings, intricate molding, and plush furnishings when he emerged from the short hall. Her dress hit midthigh and molded to curves he hadn’t gotten a good look at in the dimly lit bar. She was hot and willing and ready, and he felt as awkward as a virgin on prom night.
    He draped his jacket over the back of a chair and cleared his throat. “Um, I don’t have any wine. I’ve got beer and—”
    “Water’s fine,” she said, turning to face him. Long fingers with finely manicured, red-tipped nails flipped her long hair over her shoulder. “May I use your toilette ?”
    “Yeah. Sure.” He pointed toward the set of double doors behind her. “Through there.”
    She slinked his way, like a cat on the prowl, and laid a hand on his chest. Tipping her eyes up seductively to his, she sent him an I’m about to rock your world look. “Take off your shoes and get comfortable, mon cher . I love the look of a man’s bare feet.”
    Beneath her hand, his skin warmed, but not from arousal, from claustrophobia. The air grew thick and stifling around him. Before he could answer, she turned and disappeared into his bedroom, and, alone, Landon exhaled a long breath, dropped into a chair, and rubbed a hand over his head.
    Holy hell. He had a hot chick in his room, ready to screw his brains out, and not only was his body not reacting the way he needed, his head didn’t want to play along either. What the hell was wrong with him?
    A cute little schoolteacher was what was wrong with him. One he needed to get out of his system . . . right fucking now.
    Calling himself an idiot for the last time, he kicked off his shoes and dropped them on the floor, then tugged off his socks. Cool air washed over his feet, and he flexed his toes in the carpet, feeling the threads beneath his skin, letting the fresh air draw away the suffocating feeling overwhelming him.
    He could totally do this. It was just one night. And when it was done, everything would be right again. No more stupid fantasies about having a normal life, a house, and a white picket fence. Because he was as far from normal as a three-headed dragon.
    The phone in his pocket buzzed, and he reached for it, happy to get out of his own head for a few seconds.
    ADDISON : Your flight time has been changed. You now leave at 0920. Enjoy your extra hour of sleep.
    Fucking fantastic. Another hour in limbo. He frowned, more disappointed than he wanted to admit because it was Marley and not Olivia. Another reason he needed to get on with this and forget about Olivia for good.
    A knock sounded, and he froze. Seconds passed in silence. When the sound echoed again, he reached for his weapon, which he’d slid into the pocket of his coat in the bar. “Who is it?”
    Silence, then a woman’s voice called, “Housekeeping.”
    The nightly turndown service. Landon let go of his jacket and set his phone on the bar beside him. Pushing out of his chair, he crossed the small entry hall that led to the door to tell the maid—for the fourth night in a row—that he didn’t need turndown service. His hand closed around the knob, and he pulled the door open, then froze.
    “Surprise,” Olivia exclaimed, a wide smile spreading across her pixie face.
    Landon’s mouth fell open, and his heart picked up speed as he took in the sight of her. She was wearing cute white tennis shoes without socks, frayed capri jeans, and a white, fitted V-neck T-shirt that molded to her slim curves and dipped into her cleavage. A thin white sweater hung from her shoulders, her blonde hair was loose around her face, and her piercing emerald-green eyes danced with excitement. An excitement he felt all the way to his bones.
    Her smile wobbled, and she reached for the handle of her suitcase at her side. “I take it your silence means you’re not exactly thrilled to see me.”
    A man passed behind her