backward glance.
Monica followed, practically jogging to catch up as he strode through the back half of the mansion. She'd succeeded in pushing him away but it hurt to know she'd hurt him. Biting back the apology on her lips, she swung onto the seat of the four-wheeler behind him and held on as he turned over the engine. She could feel the disapproval coming off him in waves and wondered if this was what her life would be like from now on.
A minute later, he pulled up outside the saloon, not bothering to turn off the engine. She got off the machine, resisting the urge to glance at him before walking away. She'd only taken a step when strong fingers circled her wrist and pulled her off-balance. She stumbled back against him, at his mercy as he pulled her across his lap and against his chest, lowered his head and seared her lips in a strong, branding kiss.
As quickly as it had started, it was over, and without looking directly at her he set her on her feet and gunned the engine. She watched him drive away, her body shaking at the powerful emotions warring inside her. Taking a deep breath, she exhaled slowly, composing herself as much as she could before she went inside.
* * *
Several hours later, Monica took a seat at a back table, her shift almost over. She sipped a soda and watched the last of the patrons packing up to leave, finally allowing herself to think about that kiss. Harley had been hungry, desperate - she had felt it all the way to her toes even in the few seconds before he'd left her. Thinking back, she revisited every expression, every nuance from the conversations they'd had. He hadn't once suggested she leave. Hadn't even blamed her for all the trouble he was facing now, when most men would be railing at her or tossing her out on her ear. Why? The only possible answer both scared her to her core, and excited her like nothing ever had. Could it be that he really cared for her?
She checked her watch. It was just past six and the mansion was probably being prepared for her father's dinner party. She had no desire to run into him or his cronies tonight, but she'd slip in the back door they'd used that morning and find her way down to Harley's suite without being seen. First though, she wanted to stop by her old room. She'd left in hurry the night before and wanted to make sure she hadn't left anything.
An engine roared outside and she looked out in time to see Harley on the fourwheeler, remembering what he'd said earlier about taking her home. Not ready to deal with him again just yet, she quickly made her way down the back hall again, just as she had the night before. Slipping out the back door, she ran down the alley toward the main entrance to the ranch, took a left and went past the medieval-looking castle to the large building just beyond that served as a dorm for the staff.
After she'd checked her room on the fifth floor, she went out the side door and around the castle to the VIP Hotel. Entering the lobby, she stopped short when she heard her father's voice from around a corner.
"Three-twelve," he said, pausing for a long moment. "That's correct. The clients will be waiting at the address in Reno tomorrow. Don't be late." A short high beep signaled that he'd disconnected the call. Monica waited until she heard the elevator doors open and close before she peeked around the corner at the now-empty corridor.
Three-twelve. That was the room number Harley had said on the phone that morning, she was sure of it. The first package must be here, but why hadn't he told her? So much for working together.
She walked to the stairwell and went up three floors, then slowly opened the door, looking both ways down the hall before she entered. Moving quickly, she found room three-twelve on the other side of the building. Unsure of what to do next, she found a hiding spot behind a tall fake plant in a small alcove twenty feet away, and settled in to wait.
* * *
Twenty minutes later, Monica's feet were numb. She
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