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"Retrieval," Hallie said through gritted teeth as she pushed me inside the suite "Here’s an idea Try not to blow it all before we even get started And I told you, we’re not … whoa"

A red leather couch was backed up to an exposed brick wall Across froe flat screen The room was perfectly proportioned French doors opened onto a private balcony, or gallery, as they are called in Lousiana A split staircase led upstairs To the bedroo bed and a bottle of chane

"I’ll take the couch," I said Or better yet, we’d finish the job today, and I would go home, lock myself in my apartment, and stand in a cold shower for two solid days

"Don’t be passive-aggressive" She threw her bag on the desk, unzipped it, and pulled out a sweater "We can share the saet me in trouble, and I’ll be forced to find inventive ways to injure your man parts"

I tried to hidewith Hallie was easy and co alone with her in a hotel room with one bed was one complication I had no idea how to handle

"Maybe you just want to think aboutto handle it overtly

She blinked a couple of tied to throw her off "Maybe I should do this myself"

"I said I was in I’ht Because you were so helpful in the lobby?"

"We both know you could do this job blindfolded in a blackout," I argued "Just like I knohy you want to be here"

"I don’t think you do"

"You wanted out of your house," I said "You’re out What else is there?"

Her look of frustration told et soive you a chance to kiss me"

I almost fell out of my seat Her excuse was a diversion from the truth, and the perfect one to throw at h that our chests were al "Hallie," I warned

"Don’t you want to?"

"Want to what?"

Her hands went to her hips "Kiss ood," she agreed "Great"

"It isn’t--"

"We’re alone Legitimately alone Hint There’s … tension, and maybe I’d like to ease it What’s the problem?"

"Too fast Out of nowhere Complications Cloudy ive in for a few reasons One was fear of an imminent explosion Another was that I was obviously out her if I ever started

"Listen" I took a huge step back Breathed Breathed again In thatto pretend like this isn’t so"

"Okay" She looked confused

"I thought you should know"

"You’re either feeling sorry forme up, and only one of those options makes sense"

"It’s neither"

"Okay, then," she said "I’oing to find out or not?"

"No" I backed up another step "Because you’re frustrated, and I don’t know if I’m the cause or the cure"

"Maybe you’re both"

"Maybe that’s not good enough for uy with standards"