Head down, swearing under her breath, her silky auburn hair swayed across the collar of her emerald-green coat. The hem of her coat swirled around her toned calves, following the rhythm of her feet as she ran for the elevator. Havoc’s fingers itched to tangle in those thick waves. He had a thing for hair. Long hair he could lose himself in while he pumped into the woman beneath him.
He chuckled. Tottering on high heels, Red struggled to manage her trolly bag and keep another oversized sack secure on her shoulder. The seams strained. It was large. Plenty of room for an arsenal of weapons. What was it with some women and their bags?
Curious to see who or what she continued to swear at, he followed her.
“Wait!” Her hand braced against the wall.
Inside the elevator, the jerk in the designer suit grinned at the closing doors.
“Dick move, asshole.” Her fist pounded against the closed lift doors.
She swore again. Loud enough for heads to swivel at Reception. Red blushed and stared at the floor. Cute. Havoc could relate. The past twenty-four hours had been a complete waste of oxygen.
Red’s bag slid from her lopsided shoulder, spilling cell phone and credit cards onto the marble floor. He should have kept walking instead of kneeling to help retrieve the items rolling around his feet.
“This must be yours.” Surrounded by his massive hand, her lipstick reminded him of the small plastic building blocks Charlie loved.
Her coat gaped open, revealing a blue woollen dress that hugged her figure and highlighted her pale blue eyes. She leaned over to claim her lipstick and his mouth went dry. Two creamy mounds peaked over the V-neck of her dress.
He resisted holding on to her property and enjoyed the view. Fought the attraction sizzling between them. A slow-burn kind of man, instant connection didn’t happen when he first met a woman. No matter how fucking gorgeous they were.
“Thanks,” Red said.
Havoc helped her pick up the rest of her stuff. She’d have to be blind not to notice his cock swelling against his pants at her breathy mumble. He cleared his throat and cupped her elbow, steadying them both as they stood. His cock stirred at her breathy mumble as he helped her gather the rest of her stuff. One hand cupping her elbow, he steadied them both as they stood. “Looks like your ride just got here.” He nodded at the elevator.
“Yes. Thanks again.”
She tossed a shy smile over her retreating shoulder and Havoc admired the sway of her sexy ass as she waltzed away. Red smelled of vanilla, her sweet scent tempting him to abandon his sanity, stick his foot in between the closing doors and join her.
* * *
Mia shivered under her thin coat. And not from the cold. Her curvier shape didn’t always make men stare, but Lipstick Man had openly gaped at her cleavage. His hot, dark brown eyes roamed appreciatively over her full breasts. She cleared her throat, wondered what else made him smile, and thanked heaven she was alone in the elevator because the carnal thoughts zipping through her mind would light up the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.
Mia hurried out of the elevator onto the mezzanine and took a side trip to the bathroom to psych herself up for Barney. Finally, out of excuses, she wiggled her dress over her hips one more time, sniffed cold air to the back of her throat, rolled her shoulders, and headed for the ballroom.
The room looked amazing. Tables covered in stiff white tablecloths hosted dozens of plates loaded with sweet and savoury pastries. Most days, she’d be happy to sample them all. Unfortunately, this morning, the smell made her stomach roll.
Guests laughed, chatted, and drank mimosas, but she craved a decent coffee. Head up, smile in place, she tried not to wobble as she sauntered to Barney’s table. Lover boy, a fat, fortyish slob who ate with his mouth open, couldn’t drag himself away from the blond opposite to help her with a chair. Sucking in a breath, Mia lowered her fabric-incarcerated hips onto the seat next to the creep.
Thank God she remembered to angle her body and avoided the direct hit from Barney’s slobbery lips. How long before she found that caffeine? “I missed you, babe.” Mia sighed in his ear, bit her tongue, and patted the slimeball’s hand.
“Anche io mi amore,” Barney replied. The idiot always mixed his Italian and Spanish.
Mia came close to correcting him but didn’t get the chance. Deciding he’d paid her far too much attention, this time he turned to the man sitting next to the blond.
Relieved for the distraction, Mia slid her fingers around Barney’s back-up cocktail, took an extra-long sip, and did her best to smile, which turned out not to be too hard when she remembered Lipstick Man’s erection brushing against her hand.
She closed her eyes and raised the glass to her lips. Not another damn sip, Mia. She might forget why she’d come to the hotel, and she had to stay alert.
* * *
Havoc stood at the edge of the ballroom, his attention focused on Barney May. Like every other guest at the three-hundred dollar a plate breakfast, the dick paid the waitstaff no attention. No one did until they needed more bread or a refill. Playing the waiter, serving these dipshits’ brain-numbing conversation. Well, let’s just say he’d rather stab himself in the eye.
He’d offer his next paycheck for some mindless comms banter with one of the team. It would be a relief. His preference for undercover shit sat squarely in the ‘infiltrate and execute’ camp. The quick in and out with men he trusted would give his life for, and they for him.
He inhaled deeply, stifling a groan. This shit with Barney needed to be over so he could begin his two well-paid overdue weeks of R and R. Take Charlie on a trip to Disneyland like he’d promised. If Snake hadn’t called in a favor, he’d be there now, twirling in a Mad Hatter teacup.
Barney had arrived earlier, surrounded by a crowd of hangers-on, and commandeered a table front and center to the stage. Prime position for the announcement of the winner of the photography award he sponsored every year.
Havoc hadn’t expected Barney’s latest squeeze to be Red. The stunning woman he’d met earlier sat next to the blubber ball, frantically waving, trying to attract attention. Big disappointment, seeing her other hand stroking Barney’s arm.
He fought the urge to rush over and give her something better to do with that hand and admired that blue dress hugging her perfect body. The soft folds flattered every amazing curve, but the way her gaze nervously scanned the faces at her table bothered him. In his experience, beautiful women with her sex appeal sported more confidence.
“Where the hell have you been?” Snake hissed in his earpiece.
“Morning to you, too.”
“Hilarious, Mr Mum. Sitrep,” Snake grumbled.
Havoc should have checked in with him fifteen minutes ago, but there wasn’t much point, given that nothing had changed in the two weeks he’d been undercover, and he bet today would be no different. “Same shit. Quiet. Nothing but the deafening crunch of the target stuffing his face.”
“That I can handle. With any luck, he’ll choke to death and save us the trouble of cutting the fucker’s throat. Stand by.”
“Roger that, boss.”
The latest intel advised that Barney planned to hand over the key to a container loaded with cocaine to a major buyer sometime soon. And Sentinel had a mind to be right there when he collected his money.
Havoc moved before his knee seized up on him. May as well check on Red. If nothing else, it gave him an opportunity to get closer to Barney. Holding the coffee jug, he weaved between tables. Light from the floor-to-ceiling windows danced in the mass of fiery streaks in her auburn hair. The scent of vanilla he’d smelled earlier teased his nostrils.
“Coffee?” He shifted to her right and aimed for the empty cup beside her.
Red jumped, and her hand collided with his before he pulled away. Her sharp intake of breath confirmed she recognised him, but she made no comment.
“Er, yes, thanks. Pity they have nothing larger than Thumbelina’s favorite set.” She lifted the cup from its saucer and grinned.
Mesmerized by her very white teeth and full pink lips, he poured well past the rim of her cup.
“Oh, stop!”
Too late. Coffee splashed onto her dress.
“Hey, watch what the fuck are you doing!” Barney stabbed the air with his fork, sending a chunk of sausage onto Red’s lap.
Her eyes crossed.
“Begging your pardon, ma’am,” Havoc apologized, stifling a laugh.
Snorting like a pig, Barney sprang from his chair, his face a spectacular heart-attack purple. “Begging doesn’t cut it, asshole. I want to see the manager.”
Havoc bit his inside cheek. He sure wouldn’t mind grinding his fist into this dick’s face.
“No harm done. It was my fault.” Red pointed at the raised platform. “Please, baby. Sit. I’m sure they’re going to announce the winner of your award any minute.”
Barney huffed but did as Red asked.
“Can I get you another?” Havoc nodded at her empty cup. “Or something else?”
“No. Thank you. It’s fine.” The sudden fear creasing lines into her forehead said differently. He was ready to grab her elbow and guide her out of there, but Barney flung his wrist around her neck and clamped her to his pudgy shoulder.
“Get lost. The lady needs nothing from you.” Barney half stood, his index finger an inch from Havoc’s chest.
“Barney, shh, please.” Red reached for the offending finger.
Smart move if shithead planned on keeping all his digits tonight.
“Don’t fucking shush me, tesoro.” Barney gripped her cheeks and squeezed.
Havoc almost lost it when she winced. If not now, later he’d pay for laying his hand on her. Exhaling, he fought for control, to not break cover and grab Barney by the throat and shake him until his teeth rattled. Instead, he tossed him the look. The one that earned him his codename. Havoc. The man who turned worlds upside down.
“I’m sorry, Barney. They’re about to begin. The MC is going to speak. I’m sure he’ll thank you for your amazing generosity.”
Babbling, she grabbed the wrists of the man still bruising her face, doing her best to drag his attention from Havoc to her.
That’s a switch. Red thought he needed protecting.