“If this has to do with her, let’s talk now,” I said firmly.
“It has to do with you,” James replied. Quieter, he said, “We’ve intercepted a communication. One detailing your…. friendliness with a certain American.”
I clenched my fist. “I thought you said this didn’t have to do with Alysa?”
“It doesn’t. They are questioning your loyalty to Tabiq and are being told not support you.”
I had an uphill battle from the start. This was just another thing I needed to overcome. “When she is gone, I will host another event and answer all their questions.”
“Good. Because if you did it before she was gone, she might become a target instead of you,” James said.
“I’m not planning on either of us becoming a target,” I stated firmly. “Unless there is more that you haven’t told me.”
“You already know how Ocalla feels about you.” I nodded and he continued, “Let’s just say for some unknown reason, he seems to hate you even more.”
I had no idea why. For the last week, I’d really kept to myself at home. Something else must be going on that neither of us were aware of. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
“I think you need a real security team to cover your ass. It’s not if Ocalla makes a move, it’s when. And honestly Florraz, you’re not prepared,” James stated.
“And you are?” I asked.
He shrugged. “I wish I could say with confidence that we were, but so much of what is going on is done behind closed doors and off the grid. We are trying to find out who is the one passing information. If we get that, we might be able to take Ocalla down.”
Alysa returned and I saw the concern on her face. “What about Ocalla?” she asked.
“Nothing you don’t already know,” I said. “He still believes he can win.” I shot James a warning look not to discuss it any further while she was here.
Alysa crossed her arms and said, “Jasper, you’re a terrible liar. So why don’t you try telling me the truth?”
“Alysa, it’s nothing, really,” I stated.
She stood there, not budging and said, “I thought you trusted me now. Guess I was wrong.”
Damn it.She was right. Last night we spent hours giving each other some amazing pleasure, but it wasn’t all sex. We sat up talking about everything from favorite foods to our choice of music. We learned we were two totally different people, yet it seemed to draw us even closer. And I don’t want to part with secrets between us.
“We can talk about it on the way to the airport,” I said. She still didn’t move. I reached out and touched her cheek. Looking in her eyes, I added softly, “I promise, Alysa, I’ll tell you everything on our way.”
She reluctantly nodded, and I kissed her gently. Alysa tensed for a moment, and then relaxed. I’d forgotten that we were on display until James cleared his throat.
“The plan is waiting,” he interrupted.
Alysa blushed and headed to her room. I followed and asked, “Is everything okay?”
“Yes. I’m just not used to being…watched.”
It was kind of cute, because when it was just the two of us, she seemed to have no inhibitions at all. Pulling her against me I said, “There’s no one watching now.”
She smiled and wrapped her arms around my neck, kissed me briefly and said, “And no time, either. Remember, the jet is waiting.”
“Fuck the jet,” I said, and kissed her hard until the hunger between us ignited.
As we loosened our hold and stepped back, she said, “I know I have to, but I really wish I didn’t need to go. I know I can do more good here than harm.”
“If you stay, I might as well walk away from the election, because I can’t stop thinking about anything besides you,” I said, half honestly. She was proving to be a distraction, and I had practically forgotten why I even hired her in the first place. Whenever she was near me, I forgot about Ocalla, the Hendersons, and anything beyond the two of us. Damn, I’m going to miss you.
“Then I guess I’d better go, because you have less than eight weeks to win this thing.”
“Once the election is over, I want you to come back here.”