“We should,” she agreed but didn’t move. “Can I tell you a secret?”
He chuckled. “I’ve told you all of mine.”
“All of them?” She tipped her head back to look at him. His eyes narrowed, and then he waved his head. “Most of them.”
She laughed. “That’s why I’m falling for you, Smith. You’re unlike anyone I’ve ever met before. I’m in pretty deep with you. Pretty darn deep.”
He lifted a handful of her hair and let it trickle through his fingers onto her back. “You’re not alone.” He met her gaze. “And for the first time in my life, I’m not either.”
She lifted to kiss him. It was soft, lingering, and full of the words neither of them was ready to say. It was a promise of things yet to come.
* * *
They wereamong the first in the dining car and chose a table where she could face where the others had been seated the night before. The game car was occupied, but Smith hurried her through the aisle as they’d discussed. She looked around as they exited the car and gave a friendly wave toward the men she’d met the night before. Gullible was a pretense she wore well.
They both ordered drinks and held hands, talking as the car slowly filled. Komal and his men took their usual seats, and she had a direct line of sight to him. “So far, so good,” she whispered to Smith.
“Ivan, would you and your lovely wife care to join us for dinner?” It seemed James had been elected to extend the invitation.
Smith stood, towering over his father. He shook the man’s hand. “Thank you, no. We’ve already been served. He pointed to the soup the waiter was placing before them. “Join us for drinks in the bar car afterward, perhaps?” he offered.
“Of course. That sounds good.” His father smiled at her before returning to his table. Val waved at Nadia. The woman smiled and lifted her martini glass. Val shifted her gaze. Komal nodded his head, and she demurred, smiling. Smith leaned to his side, blocking Komal’s view of her. She popped her eyes up to look at him. “Oh, that was a good move.”
His lip ticked up for a second. “We should eat. It appears we’ll be drinking tonight.”
She spooned up the soup and a bite of bread. “Remember, give me time with him. Hover, but not too close.”
He chuckled. “Your exactness is enchanting.”
She blinked, then laughed at him. “You know what I mean.”
“I do. But I like to hear you laugh,” he admitted. They were one of the first to finish their meal, and Smith helped her stand. Her dress was a high cowl neck in the front. The back was a drop to the base of her spine where the cowl rested. His hand landed firmly on the middle of her bare back, then slipped to her ass. She looked over her shoulder and waved to Nadia, glancing again at Komal. Yes, she definitely had his attention.
Smith ordered them drinks, and they secured several small standing tables in the corner of the room that would allow them to circulate and talk. Nadia was the first into the bar car, and the bartender lifted a hand in acknowledgment when she asked for the usual. “I didn’t see you at all today. I was horribly bored,” Nadia said as she stood next to Val. “I’m glad you didn’t get the tables with the chairs. I have been doing nothing but sitting all day.” Nadia glanced around. “These people are boring, and my husband’s acquaintances are not people I choose to associate with.”
“I’m sorry. We decided to have some time alone.” Val leaned against Smith. “He’s the most wonderful man I know, and I was selfish today.” She looked up at him and hoped he knew it was the truth even though they’d contrived the time together to further the mission.
He stared down at her, and the barest hint of a smile curled his lips. Nadia made a swooning sound. “Love. It’s a wonderful thing that makes people do the most insane things.” She took her martini from the waiter and drank half of it. “Bring me another, please,” she said, catching the man before he went too far.
Still holding the glass, she stared at Smithson. “You look so much like him.”
“Who?” Val asked.
“A boy I once knew.” She stared at her martini. “A long time ago.”
Smith tightened next to her, and she put her arm around his waist. “They say we all have … what are they called?” She looked up at him.
“Doppelgangers,” he replied.
Val laughed. “That’s it. Such a silly word.”
“Rather like troglodytes,” Smith said as she took a sip of her wine. Val sputtered and coughed after inhaling the wine rather than drinking it. She grabbed the napkin someone pushed in front of her and tried to control her coughing. She barely managed and looked up at him. “That was not fair.”
A brilliant smile spread across his face. “But I do love to hear your laughter.”
She rolled her eyes. “Don’t make me choke, then.”
Nadia downed the rest of her drink. “A personal joke, I take it?”