Free Behind Your Back by Chelsea M. Cameron

answers questions I don’t ask. I’ve gotten used to it.
    “You’re welcome. Now got get her and keep me updated.” I hang up with Cash and get dressed. Good call on the suit. It sets off my dark hair and makes me look older and a little bit dangerous. Or maybe I’m getting ahead of myself.
    I throw a hoodie on over the suit coat and head to the garage where my cars are. I bypass two and go for the black BMW. It’s still a nice car, but not as nice as the Ferrari.
    After stripping off the hoodie, I stash it in the trunk and get into the driver’s seat.
    Time to pick up the redhead.
     

     
    S aige’s apartment is on the top floor in a nice brick building. Of course, her father owns it and she doesn’t pay rent. I send her a message that I’m downstairs and ask if she wants me to come up and get her. It’s hard to know what she’d prefer.
    Come on up. I’ll buzz you in. I park the car and get out to ring the bell. The door opens and instead of climbing the stairs and getting sweaty, I take the elevator.
    I hear her footsteps as she walks toward the door after I knock.
    It opens and she smiles at me. My heart stops for a second.
    “Hey,” she says, leaning a little to the side. It’s as if she knew I would wear black, and she’s dressed to match in a simple black strapless dress with lace around the hem. Her hair is loosely twisted up in the back, with a few tendrils caressing her neck.
    Her green eyes are hooded by smoky lids and she’s got her signature red lips. All in all, she’s breathtaking.
    “Hey,” I say after I’ve looked her up and down. I can’t help myself.
    She smiles and her teeth are brilliant against the red of her lips.
    “You clean up nice, Quinn Brand.”
    “So do you, Saige Beaumont.” Her smile widens and I notice that she gets little crinkles at the edges of her eyes when she smiles. Lovely. So far this assignment has been both business and pleasure and I think it’s going to continue that way.
    “Shall we?” I say, holding my arm out for her and then producing a single white rose from behind my back. It means innocence and purity, which is at odds with my true intentions.
    “Very smooth,” she says, taking the rose from me and sniffing it before breaking the stem and putting it behind her ear. Now that was smooth. She takes my arm and we ride down the elevator and go out to the car. I open the door for her and she makes appreciative comments about the car.
    “Thank you. It gets me from place to place,” I say.
    I pull out and she asks where we’re going.
    “I thought you liked surprises,” I say.
    “I do, but only when I know what they are.” I chuckle.
    “Then that defeats the purpose of a surprise.”
    “Hey, I’m not going to explain how my mind works. You’re just going to have to figure it out.” I ask her if the temperature is okay and she nods.
    The rest of the way to the restaurant is spent in small talk. Mindless getting-to-know-you chatter. Only I already know most everything I need to know about her to do my job.
    She asks me some more about my job and I give her general answers. She leans back in the seat and the white rose behind her ear keeps catching my attention. I’m not used to having a pretty girl in the passenger seat.
    I pull up in front of the restaurant and the valet comes out to take my keys. I slip him a few bills to take extra good care of the car and go over to open the door for Saige.
    “Thank you,” she says, giving me a smile. It’s a warm night out, so she just has a black silky shawl wrapped around her shoulders. All the black makes her white skin glow. A few freckles dot her skin here and there and I’m looking forward to see where else they exist on her body.
    “Veerrrrryyyy nice,” she says, drawing out the first word as she sees where we are. I haven’t skimped on anything tonight.
    “Why thank you. I’ve heard the chef here makes a roast duck that will change your life,” I say. Technically, I’m quoting Cash,