Free Sworn to Protect by Katie Reus Page B

Vegas, and The Serafina has world famous restaurants.”
    “I want some of that cake.”
    “I’ll make it happen,” Athena murmured, laughter in her voice as they all stepped out.
    Quinn had already pulled out his room key and handed Travis his as they approached the suite numbers. “Your bags should already be in your room,” he said to Travis.
    “Thanks. I want to Skype with Noel for a bit so I’m going to do room service. See you guys at six, right?”
    Athena nodded as Quinn said, “Yep, meet you right out here.”
    “So where’s my room?” she asked as the door shut behind Travis.
    Quinn tilted his head at the door directly across the hall and slid the key card into it. He held the door open. “You and I are sharing a suite.”
    She stopped, eyebrows raised. “Excuse me?” Anger punched off her so sharply it was almost a tangible thing.
    That probably shouldn’t have gotten him so hot, but damn, she looked good angry. “Two separate rooms, two bathrooms, we just have a common living area.” But there was only one exit. Which meant if someone wanted to enter the room, they had only one way to do it. “No one’s getting past me.”
    She eyed him for a moment, her gaze narrowing. “Did you request this?”
    “Yes.”
    For a moment, she looked as if she might snap at him, but just as quickly pushed out a sigh. “You are so maddening, but I’m too tired and too hungry to argue with you,” she said as she strode past him. The sway of her ass was enough to make his entire body react.
    He inhaled her subtle tropical scent as she moved. He wasn’t sure what kind of perfume she wore, but whatever it was, or if it was just something that was intrinsically Athena, it drove him crazy.
    She drove him crazy. Ever since their ‘almost kiss’ a week ago in her kitchen he’d been going out of his mind. Well, more out of his mind for her. Especially since he already knew what she tasted like, how she felt in his arms. “No argument at all?” he asked, trailing after her, but not before engaging the locks and security bar.
    “If you really want an argument I might be able to build up some steam,” she murmured, entering the huge living area. “Holy crap this place is huge. For past jobs I usually got the basic room. Nice, but boring. This…” She glanced over her shoulder at him as he moved to stand next to her. “This is beautiful.”
    He nodded in agreement, taking in the living area in one sweep. The silver and purple drapes had been pulled back to reveal the sparkling city below. A circular, ornate table sat in front of a huge half-circular shaped white couch. A gift basket with an assortment of food and champagne sat on the table. On another two tables by the window were huge vases of what he was certain were fresh flowers. Purple roses to go with the rest of the room.
    “Give me a second to sweep the bedrooms,” he said, though he was certain they were secure. This floor was one the owner reserved for business associates not necessarily in town to gamble, or for extra security personnel like him. It was more or less a private floor.
    When he returned to the living area he found Athena had already opened a box of crackers from the gift basket and was cutting a block of cheese. “Want a snack?” she asked, smiling at him.
    He wanted a snack all right. With the city lights illuminating her from behind, he thought she certainly lived up to her namesake. She’d taken off her fitted black jacket and high heels—which he knew she hated wearing anyway—and stood there in a slim-fitting black and red dress that hugged all her curves. He wanted to slowly peel off her clothes and feast on every inch of her delicious body. He’d only seen her partially unclothed when they’d been dating but he’d fantasized about what she’d look like completely bare to him.
    Before he could respond there was a knock at the door.
    Without thought he pulled out his weapon, ignoring her little gasp of surprise, and