Page 34 of A Touch of Frost
I wasn’t sure where that came from, but there—I did it.
At the hotel, I checked us in as husband and wife under aliases. I spoke the language, Jesse didn’t. Once we ordered food and was in the elevator, I explained what had happened. He smiled at me—in the way of a man who had a naughty secret.
Swallowing a lump in my throat, I tried ignoring it under the pretence of checking the hall before he stepped out.
The room was fancy—I was pretty sure of it, but I set to work instantly going through what I’d found in the man’s pockets. There had been money there, but I had no use for any of it.
That I left on him.
A matchbook had caught my attention for an adult entertainment store in Kotor. I I was familiar with it. The last time I was there, I almost burned it to the ground. Those places were usually just covers for other things. I this one was no different.
I got Tex on the line and he immediately began digging.
“Mozart is off on training,” Tex said while typing away. “He wanted to let you know he isn’t ignoring you.”
“Ignoring me?” I scoffed. “He knows better. I don’t crave attention.”
“That’s not the point.”
“Then what’s his point?”
“Look, it seems Mozart is still a touchy subject for you, so let’s not argue, okay?” Tex sighed in what had to be impatience as he looked toward the camera.
“I’m sorry—okay? I’m just curious.”
“Your friendship is currently on thin ice, right? He’s being cautious. Despite what you believe, he doesn’t want to lose you.”
“Yeah.” I leaned back in my chair. Tex’s eyes were burning a hole through me. Movement caught my attention and I glanced away from Tex to find Jesse walking from the room.
Suddenly, I couldn’t breathe. I didn’t know both his arms were covered in ink. He had a crest over his left pec and words going down both sides, over his ribs to his hips.
“You okay?” Tex asked.
“Huh?” I shook my head. “What? Right, I’m fine. Do you have eyes on the shop?”
“Yeah, through a camera across the street. It’s going to take some time to run facial rec on customers. Let me hit you back.”
I nodded and he was gone.
Jesse walked by me and started going through the food we’d carried up from downstairs. His lips moved which meant he was speaking. My brain couldn’t wrap itself around the words tumbling from his lips.
I heard nothing.
He leaned toward me smelling fresh like soap.
“What?” I asked.
“Seriously, are you okay?” He asked.
“You’re…” The rest of the words died in my throat. I shook my head. “Um…”
Heat flashed through me and I knew I was blushing.
I looked away.
“Frost, I’m shirtless, not naked.” He told me. “Are you really blushing?”
“Shut up.” I grumbled.
