Stuart chuckled. “I think a few times you just made it home before heading back out to church.”
I gasped. “You really saw all of that?”
“When I had camera duty. Beverly and Arjun would’ve seen the rest.”
Slowly, I shook my head at him. “You know, even though we’ve spent so much time together over the last year, I really don’t feel like I know you. I mean, in spite of you carrying me out of a bar and saving my life. Oh, and living next door to me.”
“What is it you want to know?” Stuart asked.
I shrugged. “Basic things. Your favorite book.”
“Anything by David McCullough.”
“I would’ve guessed you liked American history and political figures.”
“Because I’m an old fart?”
Giggling, I replied, “No, that’s not why.”
“Then it must be you’re just very intuitive?”
“Mm, I think it’s more the fact you’re a Secret Service agent. Anyone who serves their country probably has an appreciation for said country’s history.”
“Good point.” He tilted his head at me. “What about you?”
“It’s not quite as intellectual as yours.”
“Is it a tawdry bodice-ripper?”
“I know you didn’t just dis me like that.”
Stuart grinned. “My mother loves those books.” With a wink, he added, “I learned a lot from them.”
A shiver echoed through me. What I would give to experience his knowledge in the bedroom. “Can I add Regency porn to your repertoire along with historical fiction?”
“That isn’t necessary.” He gave me a pointed look. “Now answer the question.”
“Okay, fine. It’s Anne of Green Gables.”
Furrowing his brows, Stuart replied, “What’s wrong with that?”
“It’s a children’s book.”
“It’s a fine piece of literature.”
“You’re right, it is.” With my buzz slightly receding, I poured another glass of tequila. “Everything I’ve read in the past eight years has been about marketing and PR. All those lovely little self-help books about getting ahead.”
“I’d say you’ve done very well for yourself.”
“Thank you. Some people would claim it’s only because of who I’m friends with, but Caroline had nothing to do with my job in New York.”
With a grin, Stuart said, “I’d say you need no one’s help to be a ball-buster.”
I laughed. “You’re right on that one.” Running my finger over the rim of my glass, I said, “But we’re not talking about me, remember? You already know too much.”
“Fine. What else do you want to know about me?”
Before I asked my next question, I downed my glass. “I want to know about the women in your life.”
Stuart blinked at me. Then he reached for the tequila and poured an enormously full glass. After throwing back a bit, he replied, “I plead the fifth.”
“Oh no, you’re not getting off that easy. I’ve lived my love life in your cameras somewhat without my consent, so it’s your turn to pony up.”
“Fine. I’ll answer.” With a pointed look, he added, “A few.”
“I’ve never seen a ring on your finger.”
“An astute observation.”
“Have you ever been married?”
“Yeah.”
That was an interesting development. While I might’ve pegged him for a playboy, he had actually made the biggest of commitments. “How long have you been divorced?”
“You’re really not letting up, are you?” he grunted.
“Nope.”
“We got married when we were thirty. She worked for the Defense Department. We were married five years.”
Although I shouldn’t have, I couldn’t help asking, “What happened?”
“At first, I thought it was the distance when I got sent to Oxford with Caroline. But there was other shit, too.” He pinned me with a hard look that said that was all I was getting. Man, that hard look was so incredibly sexy.
“Got a girlfriend now?”
“No.”
“I can’t imagine there’s a boyfriend.”
He chuckled. “Just because I’m not married or don’t have a girlfriend, you automatically assume I’m gay?”
“No, I didn’t even consider it.”
“Why is that?”
I flashed him a wicked smile. “Because I’ve caught you checking out my tits before.”
Stuart choked on his drink. “Jesus,” he sputtered. After dabbing his chin with a napkin, he shook his head at me. “Fucking hell, you’re observant.”
“Always when it comes to handsome men.”
Lust glittered in his eyes as he leaned in closer to me. “I can’t help appreciating a gorgeous pair of tits.”
I threw my head back with a laugh. “You’re right. I have been blessed.” I could’ve blamed my next action on the tequila coursing through me, but it was likely I would’ve done the same even without alcohol. I’d pretty much made my decision about how this night was going to end when I’d thrown back my first shot.
I reached out one of my hands to grip Stuart’s tie. As I ran my thumb down the silky material, I said, “I’m glad you noticed.”
A growl rumbled from deep within his chest, which sent heat scorching between my legs. “You’re a fucking tease.” When I opened my mouth to protest, he shook his head. “You love forgetting you have the top three buttons on your blouse undone. Your plunging necklines.” I did. But I was done playing now.
“I’m through with teasing you.”
“Is that right?”
“Well, unless you ask me to.”
“What are you proposing?”
With a jerk of his tie, I pulled his face to within inches of mine. “That we go upstairs to my hotel room and fuck our brains out.”
His nostrils flared. “You and that mouth.”
“I’d like to do things to you with my mouth.”
“Is it the near-death experience, or are you always this direct?”
“When I know what I want.” I arched my brows at him. “And I want you.”
“Same.”
“Then let’s go upstairs.”
“Everything within me is saying this is a bad idea. Well, everything except my cock.”
I laughed. “Come on, Isaacson. Let’s live in the moment. We deserve it after what we went through today.”
His gaze stayed firmly on mine as he raised his hand to signal the bartender. “Check, please.”
“Just put it on my room tab,” I instructed the bartender.
“Nonsense. I’ll put it on mine.” When I started to protest, he shook his head. “I think the government owes us a nice bottle of tequila after the day we’ve had.”
I laughed. “I won’t argue with that.” After rising out of my chair, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. “Holy shit. I’m a mess.”
“You’re gorgeous, and you know it,” Stuart replied, taking the bill from the bartender.