Melody's Six

“The room?” He circled a finger to indicate the room and the whole situation. “More than a little,” he agreed. “It’s a hell of a setup.”

“One we hadn’t even heard of.”

“He’s just getting things up and running.” Dean pointed at her suitcase.

She pulled it up onto the bed and unzipped it, flipping back the hard top. Hidden in the lining was a concealed compartment for unique tools to their trade, including a sensor for listening devices. In less than a minute, she was certain the room wasn’t being monitored.

“Still a surprise,” she said, showing the results to Dean.

He finished a physical sweep for anything out of the ordinary and then he nodded. “A pleasant one, though.”

They could finally talk clearly. “For sure.” Still, she was wary about discussing anything too sensitive. Arranging the pillows on her preferred side of the bed, she plugged in her laptop and settled back against the headboard.

Dean flopped down on the other side, propping his head on his fist. “Feeling okay?”

“Stuffed from dinner. Whoever made that feast deserves an award.” Reaching out, she brushed his hair back from his face. Thick and soft, she lingered over the touch. He tensed up and she pulled back, suddenly shy about her plan to spoil him as if he were her real husband.

Somewhere along the way, she’d gotten used to having his hands on her. “I guess we can relax now.” They were alone and could hit pause on the affectionate displays.

“Absolutely.” He gave her a wink. “And we’ve earned it.”

She pulled up tomorrow’s itinerary. One good way to keep her hands to herself. “This group isn’t wasting daylight.” She pointed to the screen. “An oh-dark-thirty breakfast is followed by a sunrise drone flight here at Lattice Creek ranch.”

“No problem for me.” The mattress dipped as Dean scooted around to sit beside her against the headboard. “Tell me what’s on your mind,” he prompted.

“I’m confused.” She didn’t take her eyes off the screen. It wasn’t just Atwell crashing a normal assignment that had her head spinning. Though she didn’t want to admit it, Dean’s close-contact plan had kept her pulse simmering all night. Unexpected, but not exactly unrealistic. She was human after all and she knew the person as well as the excellent packaging.

They shared rooms, small and large, all the time, but tonight she was acutely aware of the gentle heat radiating from his body and the way the fresh air clung to his clothes and hair. She needed to pull herself together. Dean didn’t need her blurring the lines between the job and desire. Not his fault she’d gone so long between romantic relationships. There were plenty of great guys in the area on the dating apps. But when stacked against Dean and the other men she worked around, they all fell a little short.

“Do you still want that walk?” he asked. “That usually clears your head.”

His easy smile made her want to hug him, but she held back. “That would be great.” Closing the laptop, she set it on the nightstand and got to her feet. Outside, she’d feel more comfortable discussing Atwell’s presence and intent.

Dean had turned away from her, bent over his luggage as he searched for something. She dragged her gaze away from his perfect backside. “We’ll need to be careful with the drone tomorrow when we get to the park. Lacy has all the permissions in order for us to operate, but the drones have to give a big buffer to the protected bird habitats.”

“You’re afraid Spalding will push us?”

She shrugged into her vest and tucked her hands into the pockets. “You’re the one who says he pushed limits during that documentary.”

“Right. And Andrew all but confirmed it.”

“Mm-hm.”

Dean grunted. “That’s tomorrow’s problem.” He tipped his head toward the door. “Walk with me, sweetheart.” He bobbed his eyebrows, looking ridiculous. “I’ll help you find the Big Dipper.”

The outrageous suggestion, loaded with innuendo, was so out of character that she cracked up. “My, my.” She fanned her face. “Lead the way, cowboy.”

“That’s the spirit,” he whispered in her ear as he held open the door.

She looked up at him, wondering what had him all spun up. The signs wouldn’t be obvious to anyone else. But from her vantage point, with the experiences they’d shared, he might as well have a siren going off over his head.