Alone in their room finally, they both started laughing.
MacGyver shook his head. “Thanks. I owe you one.”
“Glad to be of help, but I’ll be payingyouback for a while yet.” Kellie looked around the room.
The queen-size bed took up the biggest share of space. A wooden chest sat at the foot, covered with a hand-crocheted afghan in a multitude of colors. An east-facing window looked out over a quiet residential street. Two chairs and a small, cozy table sat against the wall, where the morning sun would warm them while they took their coffee. An ice bucket, some wineglasses and a covered plate rested there.
Kellie strode to the table and pulled a bottle from the ice. “It’s Chardonnay. How thoughtful.” She lifted the cover from the plate, and her stomach gave away her hunger with a loud grumble when the cheese, sausage and crackers appeared. Grabbing one of each and forming a petite sandwich of sorts, she inhaled half before turning to show MacGyver.
He still stood in front of the door, hands on his hips. “Listen…I’ll slip into the other room when Blake and Travis get here.”
Kellie held up the food to entice him. “You should come get some of this. It’s really good.” When he didn’t move, she picked up the plate and stepped toward him. “They’re just going to make you sleep on the floor. Why not stay here? There’s plenty of room.” What was she doing? What if he thought she was offering more than a place to sleep?
What am I offering exactly?
MacGyver peered toward the bed. “I guess I could sleep on the floor, if you’re sure you don’t mind.”
Kellie stopped in front of him and held the food platter out until he took a sampling of cheese and sausage. “Why would you sleep on the floor? It’s not like we haven’t shared a bed before.”Oh shit!Clearly, she had no filter tonight.
He stared for a moment, apparently also trying to figure out what she was doing. His eyes darkened and a grin lifted one corner of his mouth.
“That was before that mind-altering kiss we shared outside the hotel.” His intense examination of her lips was so open and intimate, it could have been a caress. “I’m not sure you should trust me.”
“Who said I do?” Kellie shoved the plate into his hand, grabbed her bag and headed for the shared bathroom across the hall. “I’m going to get cleaned up. Why don’t you open the wine?” He was still standing in the same spot when she closed the door, leaving him alone.
Halfway through her shower, Kellie hit a wall. Too tired to put on clean clothes and makeup, she dried herself, combed her hair, brushed her teeth and slipped into an oversized T-shirt. MacGyver could go to the restaurant if he wanted, but she’d had enough for one day. A few more bites of cheese and crackers would satisfy her hunger. A glass of wine would take the edge off her problems long enough to fall asleep.
When she returned to the room, the only light was from a lamp on the bedside table. The half-empty plate of appetizers and a full glass of Chardonnay sat there as well. MacGyver was propped against the pillows on one side of the bed, barefoot and shirtless.
Kellie practically choked on her tongue. She hadn’t been in a position to truly appreciate his ripped abs and deliciously muscular chest this morning. Just the right amount of dark hair dusted his pecs, narrowing into a fine line down the center of his ridged abs until it disappeared beneath the waistband of his jeans. He was one fine-looking man, but she had no business wondering where that sexy strip of hair went from there.
“Are you changing or getting undressed?” Kellie forced her stare from his body and feigned more interest in her wine than she felt.
“I was going to change my shirt, but I sat down here to drink my wine and never got up.” He rasped both hands down his whiskered face. “Guess I didn’t realize how tired I was.”
“Yeah, me too. Should we—do you want to skip the restaurant?” Kellie grabbed some food from the appetizer plate and offered him some.
He took it with a grateful smile. “I can’t think of anything I’d like better. Are you sure you don’t mind?”
“Are you kidding? I’m going to finish off this cheese plate, drain this glass and go to sleep, not necessarily in that order.”
MacGyver chuckled. “Sweet. I could kiss you right now but that’s probably not the best idea.” He handed her his cell phone. “See if you can get your stepdad. I’ll go brush my teeth. Be right back.”
Just what she needed. Another reminder of the explosive kiss they’d shared. Heat traveled up the back of her neck as she reached for his phone and dropped onto the edge of the bed. After MacGyver left the room and she heard the bathroom door click shut, she dialed Pop’s number and hung up when it went immediately to voice mail. Of course, Pop would have turned it off for the night. It didn’t mean there was anything wrong. He wouldn’t recognize the number, so he might not answer, even if it was on.
Kellie called back again and waited for the tone. “Pop? I lost my phone, and I’m borrowing this one from a friend. Call me when you get this, okay? Love you.”
She dropped the device in the center of the bed and attacked the appetizer plate again. Savoring a mouthful, she washed it down with wine. The phone vibrated once, and the screen lit up. Someone was texting MacGyver. Someone named The Congressman.
WHERE ARE YOU? IS THE GIRL WITH YOU? TELL ME WHERE WE CAN MEET SO I CAN TAKE HER OFF YOUR HANDS.
Kellie stopped chewing and stared at the phone. Was shethe girl? Of course she was. She was the only female in the group. The only person who would want to take her off MacGyver’s hands was Tony. Washethe congressman?
With shaking fingers, Kellie scrolled up to see what else MacGyver had discussed with him.
MEET GIRL IN WEDDING DRESS IMMEDIATELY. WALLY’S. CRITICAL YOU KEEP HER UNDER WRAPS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
Oh, God!She’d been right the first time. MacGyver was working for Tony.