The Billionaire's Kiss(3)

Callie ended the call and looked at herself again in the mirror, trying to force herself to fake any look of interest or attraction.

"I've swept the whole place. This one's careful. I was able to get onto his computer, but I think he's backed up the files. I'm downloading his hard drive now. I need three more minutes. From there I can tell if he's made any additional copies from his computer."

"Have you tried his phone?"

"Already hacked it. Nothing, just the emails he sent from a burner account to Senator Wyatt. Any idea what he wants?"

"Leverage," Callie said. "I think he thinks of himself as a hatchet man, and he's trying to make some kind of play on behalf of his boss."

"Interesting," Rich said. Callie could hear him going through drawers in the background. "Whatever happened to good old-fashioned blackmail? At least then the motives were clear enough."

"Just finish up. I've already been in here too long. He'll either think something's up or find some other woman to hit on. Either way I have to go."

"Good luck, Callie. Be careful."

"You too, Rich."

Rich was like the older brother that Callie had never had growing up. He looked out for her, taught her how to do things like pick locks and tail someone without getting caught. Even he seemed to have a bad feeling about Gavin.

When Callie got back to the bar, Gavin was waiting. "Come on," he said. "Let's get out of here and find someplace quieter."

"What did you have in mind?" Callie asked.

"My place is only a few blocks away. It's like a minute and a half cab ride."

Callie glanced down at her phone as she waited for Rich's text. "How about we walk? It's a beautiful night."

"If you insist,” Gavin said. Something told Callie he wasn’t interested in a leisurely stroll.

By the time they reached Gavin's building, Callie had tried almost everything she could think of to slow their pace, and she was on the verge of admitting defeat. Rich still hadn't texted, and Callie's blood pressure was rising by the second. She pulled out her phone one last time.

"Expecting a call?" Gavin asked. He stared down at the phone, trying to glean some information.

"Oh, I was just looking at the time. I was thinking maybe it would make more sense to go out to another place for a little bit. It's still relatively early."

"Nonsense, I have a bottle of cabernet you'll absolutely love. It was a gift from a former classmate."

Callie froze on the steps of the building as she tried to figure out what to do next. Her ears throbbed with heavy pulses of panicky blood as her mind raced. Somewhere in the whirling of her thoughts, a little mechanical ding broke through. Her eyes shot to the elevator. Rich stepped out. Callie grabbed Gavin’s hand and locked her eyes on his long enough for Rich to walk by unseen. “You know what," she said. "That sounds great."





***

Gavin's apartment was tastefully decorated. Masculine, yet welcoming. It was filled with the cool, musky scent of Gavin's cologne. Callie had to admit that it smelled good. Why do you have to be so evil? Callie wondered. Callie quickly looked around the room for any sign that Rich had been there, but the place looked impeccable.

Gavin slipped away into the kitchen and came back with two glasses of wine. Callie wondered what the percentage chance was that he had tried to slip a little something extra into her drink. There was no chance in hell that she’d even take a sip.

Callie placed her glass down on the coffee table and leaned back on the couch. She’d have to make small talk with Gavin while she figured out where the hell he had stashed the evidence. ”So, why don't you tell me a little more about yourself," Callie said. You know, hobbies, interests, incriminating hard drives…

“What else is there to know?” He said. “How about we try something a little more interesting than show and tell?”

Gavin reached out and twirled a lock of Callie’s hair around his finger. He smiled at her the way an alligator smiles at its next meal. God, this guy had no idea he was being set up. Callie did her best to suppress her gag reflex and smiled back at him. Is this really what passes for foreplay these days? “Uhh…” Callie was at a loss for words.

“I can give you a tour of the apartment. Maybe you'll find something or someplace that stokes your interest.”

The creep had probably already set up a camera in the bedroom. Too bad he wouldn't have a chance to use it, Callie thought. Her best chance to get any alone time to search his place was to play along with his game. "How about you go start a bath and strip down. I want you to wait for me." She watched pupils dilate as he processed the suggestion. Callie raised her hand to her head and slowly pushed Gavin’s hand away. "Call me old fashioned, but would you mind if I went into another room to change? I don't want to ruin the surprise. Maybe I can change in your bedroom?"