Love You Madly(36)

“Jasper?” she asked.

“It wouldn’t be much of a successful enterprise if they let just anyone in. Jasper’s the code name. That plus fifty per head for this venue.”#p#分页标题#e#

Once again, he led her forward through more bodies writhing to the music. A cheesy disco ball gave off shimmering shades of light on the people underneath. As her vision improved, she was able to figure out the layout of the place.

Tables of various sizes and heights were set up along the periphery of the floor. Farther back, beyond the bar, was a loft with plush U-shaped seating. But this area was clearly more VIP, from the looks of the grim-faced guy at the top of the stairs blocking access and the men in high-end suits and their much younger female guests who took up two booths.

“Let’s grab some drinks,” Travis said. “We need to blend in, find a corner where we can observe.”

Travis muscled their way to the bar. She couldn’t hear the conversation he had with the bartender and instead focused her attention on the dance floor. It was hard to make out the faces in the flashing lights without getting closer. Travis pressed a drink into her hand, and she stared into the glass. “What is this?”

“No idea. But we’re not here to drink. Just put it to your mouth and pretend you’re having a good time or we’ll never pull this off.”

Having a good time? It was at least ninety degrees in the room, and her messy, tousled hair felt like it weighed fifty pounds. How was she going to pull that off?

She touched the alcohol to her lips like Travis advised, taking a tiny sip just to help dispel the nerves and anxiety that had her so tight she could snap. The heat of the alcohol mix she was sure contained healthy shots of vodka and rum swam straight to her stomach, almost burning a hole. When had she last eaten? Lunch? She’d have to make sure she only pretended from here on out.

Travis’s body tensed, and she immediately sensed something was off. Before she could whisper a question of what was wrong, Travis stepped in front of her.

“Play along.”

And then his mouth came down on hers.

A rush of emotions hit her from the unexpected kiss—confusion and fear that sent her pulse racing, soon replaced by a different fear and excitement that sent it soaring. Lips that were smooth and hard, sensuous in their fullness, played and teased her own. Her first instinct to push him away was silenced by the heat his touch ignited. Heat that made her want to wrap herself around him and cling tightly.

Play along? She couldn’t stop if she wanted to.





Chapter Ten

Meredith’s mouth was already open, probably about to make a sharp retort, when he pressed his lips to hers.

It had been necessary. He’d sensed immediately that their arrival at the bar was under someone’s scrutiny and, careful to keep his glance casual and unassuming, he’d narrowed in on the location where the curiosity stemmed. A corner booth in the loft near the back of the club.

Four men and three women. But the only person that Travis cared about was the guy in the center, who had had been watching them for the past few minutes. He looked to be the leader. Late thirties, dark hair and eyes, medium build. Travis pegged him for Middle Eastern, as were two of the other three men at the table. He’d bet this guy wasn’t just a guest this evening. He was too confident and cocky, like he owned the place. Probably did. And would be on alert to anyone or anything that might jeopardize himself or his interests.

So when the guy drew the attention of one of the henchmen at the table to Travis and Meredith’s arrival, he knew he had to make sure they didn’t appear to be anything more than a couple looking for fun.

Without time for explanations, he’d acted quickly.

He hadn’t expected her mouth to bend so easily to his, though, or that he’d enjoy the sweet taste of her lips as much as he did. Her full breasts were pressed against him, and his hands instinctively gripped her hips and then slid farther back to her ass. He pulled her into him, deepening the kiss.#p#分页标题#e#

He knew this was all for show, but knowing it didn’t stop his body from reacting to her softness. Especially since Meredith was able to feel the full impact of what this was costing him.

He wanted to bury himself in her.

But he pulled his lips from hers and released her. In what he hoped looked like a touching scene, he brushed that full sexy mane of hair from her face and met her eyes.

God. She had to stop looking at him like that or he was going to do it again.

“Mrs. Sanders?”

Ah. Looked like Bryce had found them.

Meredith tried to withdraw from his embrace, but he placed his hand possessively around her waist, pulling her to his side and trying not to notice how well she fit against him.