Page 72 of Iron Willed Warrior

Brynn

I wantedto know what Westwick and Masterson had been doing out in the desert today. But first, we had to make it through another dinner.

Somehow, I had to once again smile at the head of Stillwater. Flirt with him. As if I was really Brianna, and nothing important had changed since the last time I’d seen the man.

Even thougheverythingbetween me and Cole had changed.

Cole zipped up the back of my dress, his touch gentle, lingering at the nape of my neck. He’d already changed into his clothes for dinner. “B, from here on out, we stick together. No running off alone. No more risking yourself. Agreed?”

“For tonight, yes. We have a different agenda. Get through dinner, act friendly toward Westwick, and make sure he’s not suspicious before we head out to the desert.”

“I don’t just mean tonight.”

I sighed. I had known Cole was going to bring this up again. But my opinion hadn’t changed. “Just because we’re sleeping together doesn’t mean you’re suddenly in command. We need all options on the table.”

Even our contingencies had relied on me getting Westwick alone in some capacity. Maybe something would change after we investigated the man’s solar plant tonight, but if it didn’t? We were back to the original plan.

I could tell Cole wanted to keep arguing, so I pointed out the time. “We need to go.”

“This conversation isn’t finished.”

“But for now, it is.” I marched to the door and opened it. With a wry look, Cole followed me, putting our security measures in place as we left.

Gentle music played as we walked into the restaurant. The hostess showed Cole and me to a table. Unlike last night, there were no plans for the seminar attendees to eat together. Everyone was relaxing tonight before the start of the event first thing tomorrow morning.

Cole was quick to take the seat facing the dining room, leaving me with the one facing the wall. I smiled when the hostess handed me a menu, but my expression turned cutting when I focused on Cole. “I know what you’re doing,” I muttered. “That spot should be mine.”

“So you can wave and make eyes at Garon when he arrives?”

“Exactly,” I said through gritted teeth.

“I can wave at him for you.” Cole smirked.

Like I didn’t know what he was doing. But that was fine. Did he think Iwantedto use myself as bait? Of course not. Allowing that man to touch me was the last thing on my wish list.

Last night, Cole had said he didn’t wantanyother men touching me. The truth was, I didn’t want that either. There wasn’t a single man in the world I’d rather have in my bed than Cole. I was already attached, foolish as that was.

Cole lifted his water glass. “Westwick just arrived. And Masterson is with him.”

I glanced up. There was a framed photo behind Cole’s head, and in the reflective glass, I spied the two men. Westwick and Masterson were taking seats at a table in the middle of the restaurant. A large chandelier made of driftwood hung over their heads.

Interesting. Dining at that table was as good as a neon sign with an arrow.Eric Masterson is here. And yet, it fit with our theory. As a Senate candidate, it might be hard for Masterson to keep his movements secret. The resort visit was a cover. Maybe he was attending the seminar. Or maybe he was just visiting his friend. Either way, nobody outside their circle would know about their side trip into the desert.

Except Cole and me.

Twisting in my seat, I put on my most brilliant smile and waved. I caught Westwick’s eye. He smiled back, tipping his head in my direction and reaching out to gently touch the shoulder of his companion.

Eric Masterson turned, one eyebrow lifting as he looked me over.

I wiggled my fingers in a friendly hello to them both before turning back around. “Are they still looking?” I asked Cole under my breath.

“Yep,” Cole grumbled, slumping forward. “I’m sure they’re talking about us. Or rather,you. I’m guessing O’Hanlon has reported what we were up to on the hiking trail.”

My face heated, but not because I was embarrassed that the men knew we’d fooled around. It was the memory of how shameless I had been when Cole touched me. Plus the incredibly hot interlude with Cole on the couch… And in the oversized tub.

I crossed my legs. “That was the idea.”

Tomorrow we would be spending all day in the seminar with Westwick. And maybe Masterson too, if he stuckaround. With how quickly everything had been shifting, I was hesitant about making any assumptions.

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