His gaze charted her face, taking in every detail. She had told him often enough that he was the best looking man she had ever seen. The doubt in his eyes would have nothing to do with her declaration now.
She tugged at his tie and gave him a sultry look. "What have you got planned for the next couple of hours?"
His brows shot up and a twinkle came into his eyes.
"How about a little strip poker?"
She wrinkled her nose. "I don't know how to play poker."
He chuckled as he pulled her down to the bed. "This is sounding more promising all the time."
She giggled as his fingers worked at the buttons on her tunic.
"I'm starting to think you don't much like the clothes I wear."
He leaned down and kissed her exposed breast.
"Not true. The clothes look good both on and off you."
He kissed her below the earlobe and then left a hot trail of kisses all the way to the crevice between her breasts.
She moaned with pleasure. "Alex."
That was when some inconsiderate soul decided to knock on their door.
They sat up immediately and she buttoned her tunic as he walked to the door. He stopped at the door, hand on the doorknob and lifted a brow. She nodded and he opened the door.
The caller spoke in Spanish and Alex answered likewise. He closed the door and straightened his tie.
"Senor Medena wants us all down in the den in five minutes." He grimaced. "I wonder what this is all about."
Carmen stood, straightening her clothes. "Does that mean me too?"
He nodded. "Of course - unless you don't want to go."
She smiled. "I wouldn't want to miss anything important."
He looked uncomfortable. "I don't know how important it is, but at least this time you haven't been excluded."
Warmth shot up her neck. "I wasn't referring to that. It must have been terrible for you - having to make a promise to a dying friend like that. What else could you do?"
He blinked and started to say something - then stopped and cleared his throat.
Carmen took his hand. "I'm sorry I reminded you."
He squeezed her hand and drew her close, hugging her. "I needed you."
He needed her and she had done nothing but argue with him and make his life more complicated. It was going to be different now.