“They love you,” I said simply. “The way you look, the way you act…” I went whole hog. No use holding back. “Your interests, your ambition, your successful business, your—”
“Whoa whoa whoa…” she gasped. “Hang on! My interests?”
“Yeah, sure. Skiing, hiking, photography… you dabbled in some art classes but those didn’t take.” I looked around. “Or did they? I’m not sure I saw any paintings on the way in, but—”
“You spied on me?” she cried in dismay.
“Technically I had my Army-brothers spy on you. But yeah.”
She looked alarmed. Borderline angry, actually. But I figured I could bring her back.
“How the hell would you—”
“Briggs,” I said with a shrug. “He has friends in the NSA. Shit, he used to work for the NSA. Might still, come to think of it…”
“But—”
“Look,” I reasoned, “this isn’t something we decided on last minute. A lot of time and thought went into this. A lot of analysis and planning. So yeah, we’re gonna check out and fully vet any potential candidates. Like you. Like Ashley.”
She looked confused. “Ashley?”
“The girl I was supposed to meet last night.”
“Oh.”
“I have to say I did talk you up a bit,” I told her. “It’s not every day you meet a girl who kisses like that.” I twirled a long lock of her hair. “Not one this beautiful. This amazing.”
Sammara propped herself up on one elbow. “So they sent you here to flatter me? Maybe win me over?”
“Yeah, sort of.”
She swept one hand over her body, like a magician’s assistant. “Test out the merchandise?”
I laughed and shrugged. “That part was my idea. Call it… unfinished business.”
Sammara rolled her eyes. Hell, she even looked cute doing that.
“I’m not gonna lie,” I said. “This kind of thing isn’t for everyone. We all know that. Winning you over is a longshot, especially since you never answered the ad.” I stretched. Yawned. “But if I’m being honest? You were just too perfect not to give it a try.”
She settled her chin to my stomach, crossing her hands beneath it. “So…” she said again. “They love me?”
“Yup. Dakota especially. Says you remind him of some really sweet girl back home.”
“Dakota…”
“You like all-American country boys?”
Sammara chuckled. “What girl doesn’t?”
“Then you’re gonna love Dakota.”
She rolled over onto her stomach, swinging one leg sexily. The view of her ass in this position was nothing short of incredible.
“If I were to do this…” she said carefully. “What else am I gonna like?”
I stiffened with excitement, though I tried not to sho
w it. She was biting now. Nibbling at the hook.