Page 72 of Tattletale

“Well then, you are very welcome.” I flash him a grin. “Glad we cleared that up.”

“Now my meeting’s over,” he says.

“I’m sure you have another.”

He laughs. “Okay, as much as I’m enjoying the banter, I’m no predator. The flowers were meant to make an impression.But I’ll leave you alone if you’re not interested. Have a nice day, Fiona. I hope you enjoy your stay at my hotel.”

That sounded like a goodbye, yet he doesn’t budge.

I cross my arms. “Is this the part where I tell you that you have it all wrong?Wait. Please stay. I’m very interested,”I say mockingly.

He smiles. “Well, good, I’m glad we’re finally being honest.”

I cover my eyes and laugh. What does that say about me if the devil makes me laugh? Only good things, I’m sure.

“May I come in?” Gabriel asks. “We could order breakfast.”

My stomach drops as reality sets in. My phone is in the bedroom, charging. Myreal phonewith all my PALADIN contacts programmed in it. In addition, my suitcase is open and filled with multiple passports with several identities, and various credit cards under different names. I didn’t get a chance to store them in the safe. I don’t know how I’d explain all that away to Mr. Lie Detector.

“Would you humor me?” I ask.

He quirks one brow. “Perhaps.”

“I don’t want to be in a bathrobe with unbrushed teeth for our first date. Can you give me a moment to freshen up? Maybe we can have breakfast downstairs at the restaurant?”

Gabriel looks pleased. “Absolutely. Take as long as you need. But I have somewhere else I’d like to take you.”

“Where?”

“I own a small bed-and-breakfast in wine country, about an hour from here. There, I employ a chef with four Michelin Stars, who hand-makes everything they sell in the pâtisserie. You have to try the chocolate-dipped croissants.”

“Another Michelin Star chef? Do you collect them or something?”

Gabriel deadpans. “Oh, yes. Like rare baseball cards.”

I laugh. “Does he make the chocolate fresh?”

“Of course.”

The memory of the time Lance and I passed through Paris comes to mind. It was late at night, and we were on our way to a mission. He wanted to break into a pâtisserie for a little snack, but I refused. We would’ve never been caught, but I didn’t have the heart to crack the stained glass window in the door of the back entryway. It was so pretty, and it looked important. So, we passed on the dessert. I always wondered what I was missing out on.

“My best friend once told me that fresh chocolate made by a French chef is better than sex.”

“It might be better than sex withsomemen.” Gabriel winks.

“Not better than you?”

“Well, maybe you can sample both and let me know,” he says with a cute chuckle.

My cheeks ache from trying to control my smile. I’m not sure what’s gotten into me. I know this is a job, but this feels so normal. Like how flirting would be outside of PALADIN. If I wasn’t an assassin, is this what dating would be like? Laughing and blushing, with butterflies in my stomach.Is this the other side?

“I’ll meet you in the lobby in one hour,” I say.

“Excellent.” Gabriel glances to his left and grimaces. I peek around his body to see what he’s cringing at. Another delivery man with a thick bouquet of pink, peach, and cream roses is strutting down the hallway. He sees my narrowed eyes and laughs. “It’s the last one, I promise.”

TWENTY

CRICKET

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