He slid the gear into park. “I’ve been relieved of duty for the evening.”
“Oh. Okay.” With Caroline and me staying at the hotel, I knew the agent contingency had hotel rooms there as well. I’d barely closed the SUV’s door before Stuart joined me at my side. When he led me through the hotel’s VIP entrance, his hand came to rest at the small of my back. The heat of his touch burned through my silky blouse to my skin.
What the hell was happening to me? I’d come close to being shot today, and suddenly, this completely nonsexual touch of a man had my blood pumping.
As Stuart started for the bank of elevators, I couldn’t help dreading the empty suite that awaited me. I had no idea when or if Caroline would be coming back from the hospital. At the continued thoughts of the silence of the room and the walls closing in on me, I shook my head. I didn’t want to be alone tonight. “You can see me to the bar.”
He grimaced. “I promised Caroline I would see you to your room.”
My lips quirked. “Do you always do everything a woman tells you?”
“I do when that woman is my boss’s daughter.”
“Considering we both could’ve been shot or killed today, I think we can bend the rules a bit, don’t you think?”
“I suppose.”
“Good. I’m glad you could see it my way,” I replied as I made my way across the lobby to the bar.
“Like I had much of a choice,” Stuart grumbled as he fell in step beside me.
“Come on, we have so much to celebrate. The stalker has been caught, and Caroline is no longer in any danger. Ty’s going to make a complete recovery. And the Callahans know about Caroline and Ty, and no blood was shed.”
Chuckling, Stuart replied, “Yeah, that last bit was pretty impressive. I thought for sure Barrett or Thorn would’ve chopped off Ty’s dick.”
“So, we’re celebrating, right?”
“Yep.”
“Good. First round is on me.”
“That isn’t necessary,” Stuart protested as he lumbered up onto one of the bar stools.
“Oh please. It’s the least I can do for the man who saved my life today.”
“I was merely doing my job.”
“Ouch, is that all I am? A job?”
The intensity of his stare burned like wildfire through me. “No, Selah. You’re much more than a job.”
Now I really needed a fucking drink.
“What can I get you?” the bartender questioned.
As Stuart opened his mouth to answer, I quickly replied, “We’ll start with two shots of your most expensive tequila.”
When the bartender left to fill our order, Stuart cocked his brows at me. “Do you always order for others?”
“Who is to say any of that tequila is for you?” I teased.
Stuart barked out a laugh. “It fucking better be.”
“I’ll be happy to share.”
The bartender returned. As soon as he poured the tequila, Stuart and I grabbed a glass each. I didn’t even bother waiting on him. Instead, I threw back the contents in one fiery gulp.
After Stuart followed suit, he quirked his brows. “You ruined my toast.”
“My bad.” I grabbed the bottle the bartender had left and quickly refilled our glasses. “By all means, let’s celebrate.”
Stuart raised his tequila. “Here’s to Ty making a quick recovery.”
“Yes. Here’s to Ty.” I started to bring the glass to my lips, but Stuart stopped me.
“I wasn’t finished.”
“My apologies.”
“I would also like toast to the capture of Caroline’s stalker.”
I nodded. “Yes, may the fucker rot in prison for many, many years!”
Stuart snorted. “You capture my sentiments exactly.”
“With the suspect apprehended, does that mean things will change with her protection?” The real question I wanted to ask was whether he would be still be around now that the threat was gone.
Shaking his head, Stuart replied, “It shouldn’t. I’ve been a part of Caroline’s team since President Callahan began campaigning.”
Inwardly, I exhaled a relieved breath. “Then here’s to Caroline and her protection team.”
“Yes. Hear, hear to my fellow agents.”
“And you.”
He rolled his eyes. “Fine. And me.”
“Are we drinking now?”
Start laughed. “We better, before this becomes the longest fucking toast in history.”
We then threw back our second shots. With the liquid beginning to hum through me, I reached once again for the bottle. When I glanced up, I found Stuart’s head shaking slowly back and forth. “What?”
“Don’t you think you should pace yourself?”
“Three shots are the charm,” I replied as I threw back the glass’s contents. At Stuart’s continued look of concern, I patted his cheek. “Don’t worry yourself, Agent Isaacson. I’ve had a lot of practice holding my liquor.”
“Yes, I’m aware of that.”
“Ah, that’s right. You’ve had the misfortune to see me inebriated before. In my defense, on that occasion I was merely trying to be supportive of Caroline in her breakup with that douchebag Perry.”
Grinning, Stuart replied, “I see we’re both in agreement on him.”
“Total prick.”
“Although I hated to see her heartbroken, I was thrilled to see him go.” He took me by surprise by leaning closer to me. “You’re actually pretty funny when you’re drunk, though.”
Warmth flooded me at the thoughts of what I might’ve said or done that night. “I vaguely remember you and Ty having to carry us out of a bar.”
He flashed me a wicked smile. “Yes, we did.”
I rubbed my forehead as I tried desperately to remember more of that night. “Oh God, did I sing to you?”
“You did.”
“I can’t sing,” I croaked.
“Yes, I know,” Stuart teased.
Swatting his arm, I replied, “Asshole.”
“Easy, Rambo. I’m just calling it as I saw it.” He winked. “Or maybe I should say, unfortunately, heard it.”
“My mother always sang in the choir at my dad’s church. She had such high hopes that I would join in her footsteps, but I just didn’t inherit her voice.”
“Your father has a church?”
“He’s a Lutheran minister.”
Stuart rubbed his chin. “Now that’s interesting.”
“Not really. My parents are pretty boring when it comes down to it.”
“No. I meant the fact that you are a minister’s daughter.”
“Ah, I see where you’re going with this, and you’re right. I’m the cliché minister’s wild child.”
“I didn’t say that.”
I laughed. “It doesn’t bother me if you thought it. While I might not be as pious as my parents, I do make it to mass every Sunday.”
“That’s right. I remember your car leaving early those mornings.”
Cocking my brows at him, I said, “You know, if you weren’t an agent, that statement would sound incredibly creepy.”