Chapter Three

Shilah had the cab stop four blocks from the hotel.   She didn’t have any reason to suspect she was under surveillance, but old habits die hard.  And she could use the extra time the walk afforded her to make sure she had her mind firmly wrapped around her role in this mission.

She was due to meet Leonidias at the Mandarin Oriental where they would set their mission into action and assume the roles of Leo and Shilah Hardison, newlyweds.  Shilah didn’t have any doubt that she could pull off her part in the charade.  She was a professional.  She’d not forget her name or back-story and could put on the face of someone who was a bit of a lightweight in the brains department if the situation demanded.

What was going to be difficult was the control issue.   It wasn’t just Leonidias who had a thing about control.  She thrived on it.  Needed to control every aspect of her life.  Where she worked and lived and ate and played and who she allowed into her life or playground.  If they didn’t play by her rules and under her command they were normally given a quick boot.

She’d once had a tutor tell her that she was a classic Type A personality.  Impatient, highly competitive, hostile and aggressive, incapable of relaxing, over-achieving and driven.   Okay, she could accept that, but being true to self, she couldn’t resist pointing out to the professor the next day that the Type A and B personality theory was old-school.  While it may have been accepted in the 1950s at its inception, since that time it’d been widely criticized for its scientific shortcomings.

Thus proving, according to the tutor, that she was definitely Type A.  Whatever.  She’d been though batteries of tests during her training and nothing had prompted a red flag.  She was just a woman who liked being in control of her own life.

Which brought her back to the task at hand.  Working with Leonidias.  She’d spent the last twelve hours getting herself into the mind-set of character.   Shilah Hardison would be a woman feeling like she’d just won the lottery.  A hot, handsome man as rich as Midas had chosen her and there was nothing she wouldn’t do to keep the man and his money.

She could do that.  Pretend to be that woman.  It wasn’t that hard.  In fact the only thing at all difficult about this mission was that Leonidias bothered her.  On many levels.  Not just that he brooked no argument in following orders.  He instigated feelings she wasn’t comfortable with.  Hungry, demanding needs that stuck a sexual chord.  Loudly.

But then, maybe that was a good thing.  It would help her play her role better.  And who was to say she couldn’t have a little fun?   Clearly there was some kind of energy between them.  Maybe she could find his buttons and push them a little.  It would be interesting to see if she could make Big Leo squirm.

The thought brought a smile to her face and quickened her stride.   Have a little fun and get credit for a cherry mission?  Maybe life was smiling on her after all.  No way she was going to let a little sexual sizzle ruin things.  She took the back entrance and opted for the stairs.  No one took the stairs.  This was the age of laziness.  Why walk when you can be carried?  Slugs.

Luckily no one saw her exit the stairwell and get on the express elevator.  A twist of the key in the control panel and she was headed for the Presidential Suite.  She had to give her father’s people kudos.  The Mandarin was top notch.

The elevator doors opened on the ninth floor and she stepped out into a marble vestibule complete with a powder room and cloakroom.  The vestibule led into a living room with tall ceilings and floor to ceiling windows that afforded a panoramic view of Old Town to Georgetown.  Leonidias walked into the living room as she turned from the view.

Fuck me sideways.

Damn if he didn’t look good.  Dark dress slacks that had the obvious stamp of tailor-made to the cut and fit, over which a muted blue dress shirt hung open, displaying his impressive torso.

“Honey, I’m home.”  She gave him a smile and sailed past him.

Oh yeah.  She could definitely handle digs like this for a few days.  Forgetting Leonidias, she wandered through the suite.  A walk-through study with leather walls housed a 60 inch flat screen television and sofas that begged her to plop down and wallow while channel surfing.

She paid little attention to the kitchen and dining room.  Food was for survival.  Nothing much exciting there.  The master bedroom was sweet.  A four poster bed, walk-in closet and even an exercise area with a treadmill.

The master bathroom brought a groan of appreciation.  An windowed ,infinity-edge tub  that filled from a ceiling height nozzle was the centerpiece.   A separate spa showed with not one but two rain effect shower heads along with handheld nozzles and body jets completed what had to be the perfect bathroom.

Shilah grinned and back-tracked to the living room where she found Leonidias bent over a telescope placed in front of the door to one of the balconies.

“See anything interesting?”

He straightened to look at her.  “Your wardrobe was delivered.  Better change.  Dinner will be served at eight.  You’ll want to be in character.”

“No welcome home?  Hey sweetie?  Gimme a kiss?”

Her tease elicited nothing more than a frown.  Shilah shrugged and turned to go into the bedroom.  Might as well see what kind of clothes she had to choose from for the first performance.

*****

Leonidias jammed his hands in the pockets of his slacks and stared out over the landscape, going over the itinerary in his mind.  The sound of singing filtered in from the bathroom.  Loud.

He wouldn’t have pegged her for a country fan. Her singing continued for at least fifteen minutes off and on, ranging from country to pop to rap.  Then it stopped.  He checked his watch.  She had twenty minutes.  No way she was going to be dressed and ready.

Leonidias fixed himself a glass of ice water and took a seat, leaning his head back and closing his eyes.  His internal clock kept time about as accurately as the expensive watch on his wrist.  Eighteen minutes later the sound of Shilah clearing her throat prompted him to open his eyes.

She stood framed in the doorway.  Make that posed.   Hands on hips with one hip cocked a bit and head held high, a look of challenge in her eyes.

She’d chosen well.  The silk halter dress spilled down her body like liquid, almost matching the color of her eyes.  Clinging to breasts and hips it hinted at the curves hidden beneath and stopped at mid thigh to display legs that deserved to be showcased.

Her hair was worn down, loose and cascading around her shoulders.

“Well?”  she asked.

“Well what?”

“How do I look?”

“Fine.”

“Fine?”  She marched into the room.  “Well damn, don’t hurt yourself with the compliments, honey.”  She turned, grumbling.  “Some husband you are.”

That reminded Leonidias of something.  He rose and went to the bedroom where he’d placed a package.  He hadn’t bothered to open it and didn’t now.  He just took it into the living room and handed it to her.  “Here, you’ll need this.”

She opened the package and withdrew the jewelers box.  “Whoa!”  She took out the diamond engagement ring and matching wedding band.  “There’s enough ice here to fund a third world country.  I’m supposed to wear this monster?”

“You’re married to a very wealthy man who likes to spoil his little trophy wife.”

She shot him the bird and slid the rings on.  “These things are insane.”  Then she grinned at him.  “But what can you expect from an old guy who lands a hot young chick, eh?”

Leonidias didn’t bother to respond.  Everything about her said she was deliberately goading him.  Trying to get a rise out of him.  It wasn’t going to work.

A chime alerted him that dinner had arrived.  “Showtime,” he said and grabbed Shilah, fisting one hand in her hair to pull her head back while running the other hand up her dress to grab her ass.  Just as the serving staff rounded the corner he lowered his lips to hers and kissed her.

There was a split second’s hesitation, a momentary tension in her body and a stiffness to her lips.  Then it was gone.  Her body melted into his, pressing firmly chest to groin and her lips parted.

A sound like a growl came from deep in her throat as his tongue plundered her mouth.  She raised one leg, bent at the knee to hook her foot behind his knee and pull her groin more firmly against him.

“Excuse me, sir.”  One of the waiters spoke up.

Leonidias ended the kiss to look at the man.  Shilah gave a slight laugh and wiggled behind him.  She worked her hands around his body beneath his shirt and slipped her fingers into the waistband of his pants.

“Shall we set up in the dining room, sir?”

“Yes, that’ll be fine.  We’ll be along momentarily.”

Exchanging looks that clearly said they were sure they’d walked in on sex about to happen, the staff moved into the kitchen to being setting up the dinner.  Leonidias took Shilah’s hands and pulled them out of his pants then turned to face her.

“I’m really not all that hungry, baby,”  she cooed up at him.  “Except for you.  Why don’t we skip dinner and just fuck.”

“You’ll need your energy.”

“Come on, baby.  I really want you.  Now.”

The wicked look in her eyes was a challenge on more than one level.  “Eat first, fuck later.”

She gave him a smirk.  “You’re the boss.”

Leonidias watched her as she headed for the dining room.  Either she was completely caught up in her role or she was playing him.  He’d be willing to bet it was the latter.  Guess it was time to teach her a lesson.

Shilah cut a look over her shoulder to catch Leonidias watching her ass. She started to grin as his eyes moved to hers but stopped short.  Whoa!  There was fire in those eyes.  What the hell was he thinking?  It was more than just a man appreciating the sway of a woman’s ass.  There was something dangerous in those golden depths.  Damn it all.  She was a complete sucker for danger.

At the moment, however, she had to keep in character and convince the serving staff that she was nothing more than an excited newlywed.  The lucky girl who’d captured the golden goose.

She stopped beside one of the chairs at the dining room table.   Leonidias almost took a seat when he reached the table then altered course and pulled out her chair for her.  She took a moment to run her hand up his chest to his neck and pull his face down to hers and brush her lips over his.

“Love you,”  she cooed before she released him and took a seat.

He leaned over and nipped lightly on her shoulder but said nothing.  She made a mental note to remind him that he needed to be more verbose in public.  He took a seat beside her and the steward stepped up to the table with a bottle of wine.

Leonidias glanced at the label and nodded, watching as the bottle was uncorked and the wine poured.  He accepted a glass, swirled it in the glass, sniffed it then tasted.  His lips pursed slightly, his brows coming together fractionally.

“Hmmm,  I’m not sure.”

“Shall I have another vintage brought up, sir?”

“Not just yet.  I simply need to test this one further.”  He looked at Shilah,  “Darlin’ would you mind putting your right breast in the glass?  If it tastes good on your nipple it’ll do.”

Shilah nearly swallowed her tongue.  Certain that the heat that’d suddenly flooded her face was evident to the steward she just gawked at Leonidias.  “Oh forgive me, darling,”  he cooed with that same dangerous glint in his eyes then looked at the steward.  “Would you mind terribly turning your back for a moment?”

Despite his obvious shock, evidenced by his wide eyes and nervous shift from one foot to the other, the steward recovered enough to say “of course, sir.”  He turned his back to the table.

Shilah shot Leonidias a look she hoped fully spelled the hurt she’d like to inflict on him at the moment.  The guy might have his back turned but there was a mirror on the wall he faced that gave him clear view.  Not to mention two more people in the kitchen who were probably copping a look.

“Baby?”  Leonidias asked.

Shilah’s hands knotted on the napkin in her lap.  Damn him.  She rose and reached up to untie her dress when it knotted behind her neck.   It slid faster than she anticipated and she just managed to catch it as it headed for her hips.  Exposed to nearly her crotch, she leaned over Leonidias, her eyes pinned to his in what she hoped was a clear signal that she would get even for this.

His smile was wicked as he lifted the glass, encompassing her nipple in the dark wine.  When he lowered it, his smile was every bit as wicked but seemed to her to hold more heat.

With his eyes locked on hers he leaned forward and ever so slowly laved her breast, starting just below the nipple, working up and over it then taking it in his mouth.

Fuck me, upside down.

That felt way too good.  Little sparks of sensation were radiating out over her breast making it difficult to remain still.

And you shouldn’t.  Her most wise little inner voice reminded.  She wasn’t Shilah the V’Kar agent, but newlywed Shilah who was hot enough for her honey to eat him with a spoon.  “Hmmm, baby that feels so good.”  She didn’t even have to pretend.  Her voice came out husky of its own accord.

Which was enough to have Leonidias’s eyes narrow ever so slightly and his tongue to stop its action on her nipple.  It didn’t, however, stop him from biting down lightly before releasing her.

She pulled her dress up, cupping it over her breasts.  “My turn.”

“What?”

Woo hoo!  Score one for the home team.  She’d gotten him.  “It’s only fair,”  she cooed in a sweet gooey tone.  “Come on baby.  Let me see if it tastes good on your dick.”

For a moment their eyes warred.  Then he smiled.  “Later sweetie.  Right now we need to let these people do their jobs.  It’d be rude to hold them up any longer.”

She cocked one eyebrow, mouthing “chicken”, then retied her dress and reclaimed her seat.  The rest of the meal passed without further challenge, the two of them making small talk about the places they planned on visiting.

Both declined dessert and retired to the balcony as the serving staff cleaned up.  Leonidias stood beside her, his arm around her as she looked out over the city.   The moment the staff departed he stepped away.

“Don’t ever pull that shit again.”

She scoffed at his tone. “Ditto, dude.  You’re the one who was so fired up to get a taste of my breast.  I was just following your lead, playing the dutifully excited bimbo.”

“Bullshit.  You were trying to push my buttons and you know it.”

“Like you weren’t?”

“I told you I wouldn’t tolerate disobedience.”

“Fuck you, Leonidias.  We’re not in hostile territory and there’s no danger of our cover being blown.  You’re the one who started this.  You could’ve just flirted with me.  Which, by the way, you need to do more of.  You’re supposed to be hot for my bod, uber happy that an old fart like you landed a hot ticket like me.  So you need to make a point of verbalizing it.  Otherwise people are going to see through your act.”

“Don’t try to turn this around.”

“I’m not.  It was a flaw in the façade and I pointed it out.”

She thought from the way his jaw twitched and his eyes narrowed that he was going to light into her.  Instead he nodded shortly.  “You’re right.  I’ll correct that.”

“Good.”

“Get some rest.  We have to be at the airport at seven.”

“Will do.”

“Goodnight.”

She watched him walk away, his back ramrod straight.  Damn he was a hard nut to crack.  He’d completely overreacted to what she’d said at dinner.  But why?  That was the sixty-four thousand dollar question.  What was Leonidias scared of?