Tavak reached for his phone and checked the screen for the pulsing yellow dots that showed the location of the GPS tracking devices he had planted.
"He's at school," Tavak said. "Wiley is teaching an evening class tonight. He should be there until at least nine or so."
"Dammit, I don't like all this waiting around," Demanski said.
"It's part of the game," Tavak added, "since you let Dawson heist our artifact."
"Touche," Allie murmured.
"Rub it in," Demanski said sourly.
"You deserve it." Allie said. "You're spoiled. You need to learn to be patient."
Demanski grimaced. "I've never been good at that."
"Neither have I, Demanski," Allie said quietly. "But sometimes we have no choice."
The frown left Demanski's face as he gazed at her. "I could use a teacher."
Allie shook her head. "I'm not applying for the job. It's too long-term. You're on your own."
"And I'm on my own," Rachel said as she stood up. She didn't have the patience to watch Demanski and Allie play off each other. She was restless, and she needed to get away from here. Away from Tavak. "I'm going to bed. Good night."
"I'll walk you to the elevator." Tavak rose to his feet. "I might as well have an early night, too."
She didn't want him to go with her. She knew damn well he was sensing her disturbance. "You never have early nights," Rachel said. "You don't give in to sleep any more than you give in to anything else. I've watched you."
"I'm flattered," Tavak murmured as he took her elbow and headed for the bank of elevators. "But it's always the exception that proves the rule."
His touch on her elbow was light, but heat was spreading through her arm and down to the sensitive flesh of her wrist. She pulled her arm away, then wished she hadn't as his gaze went to her face.
"I believe in exceptions, don't you?" he asked softly. "I think you might be ready to make one tonight."
She didn't answer.
"Shall I define exception?" Tavak asked. "Pleasure, pure and simple. No ties. No responsibility. No demands for commitment or a repeat performance."
Pleasure, pure and simple. And intense, Rachel thought. Sex with Tavak would be beyond the scope in intensity. The mere thought of his touching her was causing her body to ready.
"I'm not into ships that pass in the night."
"Maybe not in the usual run of things, but I don't think you'd accept anything else with me." His thumb pressed the elevator button. "And I'll take anything you'll give me."
He stood near, without touching her, but she could still feel the heat of his body. It seemed to surround her, encompass her. She couldn't breathe. "It would get in the way."
"No, it wouldn't. Not of Peseshet's cure. I wouldn't let it." He said. "Afterward, I don't make any promises."
"That doesn't sound like an exception."
He turned to look at her. "I'm doing the best I can. I want you, and that's messing up my thinking. Do you want to know how much I want you?"
"No." The heavy ornate door opened and she got in the elevator. "Good night, Tavak."
"You want to know. Give me the chance, and I'll show you."
She punched the button, and the door began to close.
She could see him standing there, hands clenched, his face slightly flushed and totally sensual.
I want you to have the brass ring.
She wanted it, too. She couldn't remember ever wanting anything as much.
What the hell. Why not take it?
She quickly pressed the button, and the door slid open again.
"Show me, Tavak." She tried to steady her voice. "And I'll show you."
"Deal." He was in the elevator in a heartbeat and pressing the button for her floor. "But not now. Don't even touch me, or we'll never get out of this elevator with our clothes on."
She reached out and touched his arm. "I've never done it in an elevator."
He shuddered. "I wouldn't object to being a first, but you might regret it later. I can't afford the chance." The elevator doors opened, and he took her arm and pushed her out into the hall and down the corridor. "Give me your key. Quick. Very, very quick."
* * *
"Would you really have done it in the elevator?"
Rachel cuddled closer to him in bed. She was still trying to catch her breath. "You'll never know. You never gave me the chance."
"We could do a replay."
She shook her head. "It wouldn't be the same. You have to seize the moment. Like Allie does."
"I like Allie, but I really don't want you thinking about her right now."
"Why not? She'd approve." She rubbed her cheek catlike against his shoulder. "Brass rings. No, more like skyrockets, Tavak."
"What are you talking about?"
"Sex and Pleasure and seizing the moment."
He was silent a moment. "I had no idea you'd be this… joyous."
"I may not always hear the music, but I've no trouble with the dance."
"No, you don't. Thank God." He kissed her lingeringly. "And thank you."
"Thank you," Rachel said. "The Pleasure was definitely mutual." Mutual and heady and completely mind-blowing. "But I find I have a slight argument with your definition of exceptional."
He stiffened. "What? No ties. No commitment. I'm not going to push you, Rachel. That's what you want, right?"
She didn't know what she wanted at the moment. Yes, she did. She wanted to stay in bed for a month and do nothing but screw Tavak. But that wasn't what she should do. Distance herself until she could think clearly. Accept this night for what it was and let it go.
Why did that thought bring such a pang?
"That's what I want. But you put in a clause that I don't find acceptable." She moved over him. "No demands for a repeat performance? No way, Tavak. We have all night… "
HOUSTON, TEXAS
2:30 A.M.
Wayne Norton stared at the buzzing, tweeting disposable phone, thinking that it had the most ridiculous ring tone he had ever heard. He had paid cash for it at the 7-Eleven, so there would be no way calls could be traced back to him.
He couldn't be too careful.
He picked up the call. "Are you in a secured location?"
"I'm not an amateur, Norton," Paul Simmons said sarcastically. "I've worked for the agency longer than you have. Believe me, I know how to keep my tracks covered."
No, he wouldn't have called Simmons if he wasn't as sharp as he was malleable. "Just checking." He paused. "I need an answer."
"I'm thinking about it."
He'd like to tell Simmons to take a hike. But he needed the bastard. "Stop thinking and commit, dammit."
He hesitated. "You're asking a lot. This could blow up in our faces."
"I'm not denying that. No risk, no reward. But that's why I want you. You're the best. And if I'm going to pull this off, I need the best." Simmons had an ego as big as the Grand Canyon. It was the best way to manipulate him.
Simmons finally spoke. "If this goes south, you'd better not hang me out to dry."
"I gave you my guarantee. Are you in?"
Simmons didn't answer for another moment. "I'm in."
* * *
Tavak was gone when Rachel woke the next morning.
Disappointment. Loneliness.
Get a grip. He was only keeping to the letter of his promise.