Mrs. Lynx smiles at me. “Of course, dear. If you need to freshen up, the restroom is down the hall behind the bar. Just follow the signs.”
I thank her and weave my way toward the bar, keeping to the window with the ocean view. The glass is smooth and cold when I run my fingers along it, and I can feel its thickness. Its volume and weight. The sheer amount of space that it occupies. It looks so unassuming, but it packs amazing strength that allows it to keep the deadly water at bay. There isn’t much to see right now—it mostly reflects the interior—but I bet that during the day you can glimpse all kinds of fish and sea creatures.
Flattening my palm against the cool surface, I watch life go on in the room around me. This impressive glass installation reminds me so much of Aran—he’s not your typical bodyguard-turned-CSO. He sports a lean, tall frame and delicate features that make him look like he could be a model. Like he’d be the one in need of protection. Only his intimidating aura gives him away. He’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing, a predator among prey, whose sole purpose has always been to keep me safe.
It’s irresistibly hot. I am someone special to him, I have always been. He’s just decided I am out of romantic reach for some reason.
“Can I help you, sir?” a gravelly voice rips me out of my thoughts.
I’ve made it to the bar without realizing, and its decorated counter is visible on the left of my reflection.
Plastering on an innocent smile, I turn around. “Sorry, I… was enjoying the view…” I blink, not believing my eyes.Well now, that’s an unexpected development.“I’m looking for the… restrooms.”
The man with the tray of empty glasses nods, letting his lips curve up in amusement. His dark hair is styled in a neat bun at the top of his head that gives him an added layer of elegance. “It’s just down the hall, through here.” He points to the other end of the bar.
My brain is having a moment. Or a few. I’m not usually one to be lost for words, but I don’t know what to say. With his narrow frame, familiar features, dark almond-shaped eyes and impeccable suit, he looks like he could pass for a younger twin brother to Aran.
Holy shit. This is really trippy.
“Uh. Thanks?”
He chuckles and even his laugh is similar. If not for the easy smile that follows it and the lack of a resting scowl, he could totally pass for my grumpy bodyguard. “Are you feeling okay, sir…?”
“Iguana,” I blurt out the first thing that comes to mind.
“Sir Iguana. Pardon the meddling, but you didn’t look like you enjoyed the glass of wine as much as your companions. Perhaps I can offer you something else?”
Oh shit. “You saw that? Was it so obvious?”
He hums, grabbing one glass and a fiber cloth. “Not really, unless you know what to look for.”
I wince internally. I need to blend in, not stand out like a sore thumb. My intel-gathering mission depends on it.
His laugh pulls my eyes to his face. It’s a little rounder than Aran’s, now that I think about it. His jaw is less angular too, and his nose is a tad longer. But unless you know the differences, I imagine it would be near impossible to tell them apart if they were standing next to each other.
“How about I whip up a special drink for you? You can pick it up on the way back.”
I don’t even drink. I should tell him that. But I don’t. No, no, that’s out of the question. I’ve landed the jackpot here. I need to keep him talking, because an Aran-lookalike with clearances for the off-limits areas is exactly the breakthrough I need.
“That would be amazing. I’ll be right back.”
I practically sprint out of the luxurious room, panting by the time I reach the gilded restroom doors. They open automatically and let me into a wide parlor-like space with faucets, tall mirrors and Greek-inspired ornaments. There are busts and columns in white marble, and an archway that leads into the bathroom area.
The last stall is my destination. I sit on the toilet and pull out my phone, shaking a little as I bring up the messaging app. Aran is the first one on my contacts’ list. Grinning, I tap on his name and start typing, only for the message bubble to go red the moment I press send.
“What the…”
There is no service. When I check the available networks, I find none. Considering the deck above was just fine, this means there must be jammers nearby. I can’t say it’s unexpected—I knew I’d likely be completely on my own today. It’s part of why I wanted to do this, so I could prove to Aran that he can count on me.
The plan hasn’t changed then. I’m simply going on a little detour because the side quest I stumbled upon opens up exactly the sort of opportunity that we needed.
Clapping my cheeks to pump myself up, I exit the stall and wash my face. Once I’ve made sure my grin is contained and I don’t look like I’ve been possessed by a smirking demon, I head back into the restaurant. I got this. It’s time for Sudo Hex’s talents to shine.
As soon as I am back at the bar, I beeline for the friendly waiter. He smiles at me and holds up a pastel pink drink with a bamboo straw. “It’s our specialty strawberry daiquiri. I think you’ll enjoy it a lot more than the Cheval Blanc.”
I accept the glass and take a small sip. It’s nice, but it has nothing on Aran’s homemade lemonade. If I could only drink one thing until the rest of my life, it would be that.
“This is really good,” I say and mostly mean it. It’s not the guy’s fault his competition is unbeatable.
