CHAPTER6
Dean pocketedthe keycard as he closed the door. On the porch, he paused to breathe in the bracing mountain air. His entire system was on fire after hours of close contact with Mel. If he hadn’t gotten out of that bed, out of the room, he wasn’t sure what stupid thing his body would attempt next.
The whole mess was equal parts frustration and ridiculous. They’d been squeezed together for observation for hours at a time. Her body had been pressed up to his in plenty of settings. Why was this time so different? Well, the fake wedding band for starters. That circle of silicone shouldn’t matter. It was part of the disguise.
But somehow it gave everything a gravitas he couldn’t shake. All night, he felt as if he was standing on loose sand, ready to topple at any given moment. He didn’t mind falling. Just so long as the fall didn’t wreck the best job he’d had in years.
Mel was important. And she was in serious danger if Atwell recognized her.
Yet, here he was, remembering that hot bolt of excitement when she’d squeezed his ass. He just couldn’t stay in the cabin, dominated by the bed and pretend it was a normal op.
“Quite a setup,” Mel said, her gaze roaming over the view. “I can’t get over it, especially when I think about where he came from.”
“Sounds like he’s on the cusp of legitimate success,” Dean allowed.
Each cabin had a porch with two rustic rocking chairs, a light over the door, and a window that gave a view of the dining area inside. The cabins were arranged in clusters of three or four, and thanks to clever landscaping there was a sense of secluded privacy.
“I want to say it’s all talk, but I’m staying in a cabin that proves that he went all-in on the investment,” Mel murmured.
Impossible to miss the undercurrents in her voice. He knew her too well. She was disgruntled for sure, and also uncertain. He could relate.
“Odds that one man could pull this together on his own?” While she was distracted with the area at large, he turned the wedding band on his finger.
“Low.” Her mouth firmed into a hard line. “He must have investors. But who? And how did he get them on board?”
That bothered Dean tremendously. More than pretending to be a husband again. “You think Spalding made introductions.”
“Yes, I do,” she confirmed. At the porch rail, she tipped her face up toward the sky. “What about that Big Dipper you promised?”
He grinned at her. “You know I’m a man of my word.”
“Makes me the luckiest woman in the world.”
He wished like hell she’d stop saying things like that. The words landed like a ball of ice in his gut. He was the furthest thing from a good luck charm. Resigned he fell into step behind her, pretending her comment was commonplace. On the path, he took her hand once more, kept her close. Ignored just how right it felt to make this connection, whether or not they were being watched.
Leaning in, her hand stroking up his arm, she smiled at him. “I noticed the cameras.” She hid the words against his shoulder.
“Not a big deal.” He’d spotted the cameras as well, perched on the taller light poles. “Industry standard for resorts and hotels. Probably gives him a break on the insurance.”
He continually scanned the area for any signs of trouble, although the majority of his attention was zeroed-in on the way she touched him.
With another woman this would be a serious come on. With Mel, it was an act. An act he needed to play along with.
“I sure hope that’s it,” she agreed. “Curious that he’s letting us fly the drone first thing in the morning.”
Dean shrugged. A man with Atwell’s reputation likely had anything incriminating locked down tight. “He prepared for this visit. Seems eager to spend time with Spalding, get his hooks in the movie somehow.”
“I have to agree. It would bring lots of attention to the enterprise.”
Which didn’t make sense if the man was worried about getting caught. Dean figured the dude ranch was hidden by a shell corporation. After Mel’s email, Beck would be looking into how a crime lord managed to become front and center of the enterprise.
They walked in an easy silence down toward the central paddock and main lodge, his mind working overtime. He and Mel had to focus on fulfilling the studio’s protection request. If they found something in the meantime, they’d revise priorities at that point.
“You’re in your head,” she said, her voice low. “Care to share?”
She wasn’t wrong. He struggled to get his thoughts in order. “I’m nervous,” he confessed. That had been something they’d worked on from their very first op: complete transparency. “He was watching you at dinner.”
“Not closely. He was more concerned with impressing Spalding.”
Of course, Mel would disagree. She thought she was invincible. Maybe she was, considering she survived a car bomb. She tipped up her face and the moonlight drenched her fine features in a soft glow. It was all he could do to keep his mouth off of hers.
Dean shook his head, searching for his normal perspective. “No need for that. He has Spalding right where he wants him.”
“Yes!” She bounced a little on her toes as they walked. “I thought the same thing. They are friends, but maybe the studio has reason for concern.”
Her eyes were bright with excitement. The woman was a wonder. Combined with the stars twinkling overhead the walk was almost romantic. Or it could’ve been if he hadn’t brought her out here to come up with the right approach moving forward.
“Guess we’ll find out.” He needed her to realize her safety was his priority. He thought about the sharp glances Atwell had aimed at her. They’d reached the paddock and he caught movement on the other side.
Lacy waved. “Beautiful night,” she called.