Free Sake Bomb by Sable Jordan

you.”
    Trustworthy or not, certain topics were
simply not open to discussion in he and Naima’s relationship.
Kizzie was one of them.
    Xander jutted his chin toward the desk.
“They working?”
    With a huff Naima stood again, going back to
the computer. “Like you’d create something that doesn’t
work. We’ll know in a bit.” She placed a hand on either side of the
laptop, one foot lifted so only the toes touched the floor while
she rolled the ankle side to side quickly. The movement came to an
abrupt stop. Moments later, a single nail tapped against the wooden
desk. Stopped.
    “South America or Mexico.”
    Xander slunk down in the seat with the
change in topic. Resting his head on the back, he sighed, feet
spread wide to balance and accommodate his new position. “Nice
places to honeymoon. Narrow it down for me a bit?”
    “ Honeymoon ,” she echoed
sarcastically. She slipped the wedding ring back into place,
shifted the mouse and ejected the flash drive. “I can’t give you
details. Not yet anyway. But that was the last place he was seen.”
She handed him the storage device and he pocketed it, coming away
with his vibrating cell phone. “How’s Phil?”
    “Thinks I’m going soft where you’re
concerned. Go kick his ass and save me the trouble.” Xander entered
the code to his mobile and unlocked it. He opened a text message
from the devil himself.
    The first part he understood: Keys
available. Usual routine when they worked like this. Phil
checked them both in and left a key for each room at the front
desk. But the second part of the message— Happy
Birthday —confused him. He frowned; looked up when Naima spoke
again.
    “He’s prickly lately, inn’e? Don’t know how
you two get on so well without wanting to kill each other.” Xander
snorted, returning the phone to his breast pocket as Naima
continued, voice a little uncertain. “Plus he abhors the notion of
you and I… So,” a heavy exhale, “are we still on for—”
    “After what you just told me?”
    “‘Fraid you might say that.” Naima brought
her fingernail to her teeth, then dropped her hand. Her voice
cracked when she spoke. “I can still do this, Xander. I know we
didn’t plan for this, and I know I screwed it all up—”
    “Come here.” Setting the cup on the floor,
Xander pushed out of the chair as Naima came closer. She gave him
her back and he rested his hands on her shoulders. “You didn’t
screw up. Some things just can’t be planned for.”
    She sighed with relief when he worked his
thumbs on either side of her neck. All knots, and not in a good
way. Xander drew the zipper of her dress down to the base of her
spine. “I have the dates, Nai, and the tech should be working. You
don’t have to be there.”
    “But I’m the connection to the wife.
It’ll be odd if I’m not there. Besides, I leave you alone again
you’ll find yet another woman...” Her voice regained some of
its cool, but he knew it was forced. She shook her head and
laughed. “One moment of infidelity I might forgive. No way you fool
me twice.”
    He gripped her shoulders and turned her to
face him, deep voice soft and sincere. “I’m serious, Naima. I’m
more concerned with keeping you safe.” A quick glance down at the
slight curve of her belly and he added, “Both of you.”
    Standing so close gave him a direct view
into the depths of her eyes, and for the first time he saw a
glimmer of fear in her usually stoic gaze. Her nose twitched, eyes
glistened with moisture she wouldn’t let fall. She was afraid. She
had every right to be.
    He swallowed a curse and dipped low to kiss
her temple before tucking her against his chest. Her arms snaked
around his waist in response, holding on tight. She’d been dealing
with this on her own, and he should have been there. Not that it
would change anything. She’d still be pregnant, still wondering
about the next move.
    “Keeping me locked up in this box won’t make
me any safer. Just…don’t