The Survivor - Cristin Harber Page 0,52
eyelids closed. She didn’t fight to stay awake and jump into work. She simply accepted that the world would still be there when she got up.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Night had fallen when Hagan awoke. Vibrant lights peppered the view out their window, illuminating their bedroom. Amanda slept by his side with an ankle hooked over his shin, her dark hair spread over her pillow. She slept soundly. He’d never seen her unaware and unprepared. How exhausting were her burdens to carry?
Hagan shifted to his side. Amanda murmured when her foot fell from his leg, then burrowed herself against him. He tipped his head to the side and wondered what he could do to lighten her torment. The urge to protect her was fierce, but years of security jobs and black ops hadn’t prepared him for a fight he couldn’t see.
Amanda stirred and nuzzled against his bare skin. Satisfaction burned in his chest. Hagan was content to let her sleep because he had no doubt that when she woke, there’d be business to attend to.
“You’re awake,” she whispered.
His fingers trailed down her shoulder. “I wanted to let you sleep.”
She sighed and snuggled. Peaceful. He wondered how she slept alone and if this was different with him. A possessive part of him assured Hagan that it was. True or not, he wanted to quiet her demons again and again.
“I have a few things to do.”
His hand ran down her back as she stretched. The arch of her spine and swell of her ass gave him a quick reminder of the things on his list. It was a very physical list—and should’ve been the first thing on his mind when he woke up with a naked woman clinging to his side.
He’d process that later, watching as Amanda became more alert. Her watchful guard settled into place; then she rolled away, wrapped a sheet around her breasts, and left their bed.
Reluctantly, Hagan did the same, sans sheet, and redressed. He found Amanda pressed to the window that overlooked the sea-green water of a shimmering, lighted pool. “The view’s not too shabby.”
“I usually don’t take time to notice the pool.”
He massaged her shoulders. “Now that you have, want to go for a swim?”
She leaned back. “I don’t know why I did tonight.”
“Because your subconscious wants to go swimming with me.”
She turned and wrapped her arms around his neck. “This is very comfortable.”
“I noticed that.”
She pressed her cheek to his heart. “Is that a problem?”
His definition of a problem didn’t lend itself to the lush way she molded to his body. “Why would it be?”
Her shoulders bunched. “What if this trip blurs what’s real and not?”
He hadn’t given a single thought to what their cover had been. Had she? Hagan touched her chin and lifted her gaze. “Did you want me to touch you?”
“Yes.”
“Then explain what you meant.”
“When we go home, back to normal … ” Amanda nibbled on her lip and then squared her shoulders. “I have to work. Want to help?”
“Sure.” He’d circle back to home and normal later. “What do you need me to do?”
Amanda held her finger to her lips and walked into their suite’s living room. She extracted two devices from her suitcase and handed one to him.
He recognized the technology used to sweep for listening devices and bugs. “The fun begins.”
If there was a bug, he doubted she’d remove it. Better to know someone was listening than to tip their hand—even if that meant he and Amanda had offered an earful.
They moved methodically through the honeymoon suite as though they’d been a team for years, quickly finishing without a single concern. She tucked the devices into her suitcase again.
“What other tricks do you have hidden in there?” Hagan leaned on the counter and sifted through a pile of sightseeing brochures.
“You’ll have to wait and see.”
Hagan whistled. “No wonder Boss Man and Parker keep you stashed away. You’re their secret weapon.”
She quietly laughed. “I do have a serious thing for surveillance and security.”
“And for keeping secrets,” he said. Then he added, “You know what we should do?”
Annoyed, she eyed him. “What?”
“Eat.”
Her brow furrowed. “I don’t know if you’re changing the subject because that was a cheap shot or because you’re always hungry.”
“I’m a big guy.” Hagan laughed, then found a leather-bound booklet that highlighted the casino and hotel offerings. “And you make me burn a lot of energy.” He took a seat on the couch, perusing the dining options. The casino and hotel had several restaurants, and he immediately disregarded two that required