The Spring Fling Job

Chapter 4

Eliot leaned back in his seat and rubbed his burning eyes. Too much partying the night before with a pretty cowgirl had left him feeling slightly punchy and off centered. And to top it off, he still hadn't had anything to fill his empty stomach…well besides coffee. And that had grown cold long ago.

Maybe he should ring Alec's room and tell him to get a move on. Better yet, he should just leave without him. Eliot entertained the second idea briefly before he dismissed it from his thoughts. No matter how annoying the hacker might be, he would never break his word to him.

Eliot's stomach grumbled loudly, bringing him back to the present. He glanced around the large hotel lobby and spied a small buffet table overflowing with breakfast fit for a king. The smell was tantalizing and it was more than Eliot could resist. He figured he had more than enough time to grab a quick bite and quench his thirst before Alec ever missed him.

Feeling full and satisfied, Eliot glanced around the lobby and wished Hardison would hurry the hell up. Thirty damn minutes and he was still a no show. He swore under his breath. Sometimes that man was worse than a….

Eliot rose from his seat when he spied the hacker getting off the elevator. "Bout time you showed up. I was gonna leave without you."

Hardison held his hand up to forestall any more rumbling from his friend. "Now look here, Eliot. What's your hurry?"

Spying the buffet table, Alec's eyes lit up. "I'm sure we got time for something to eat."

Eliot frowned and glanced at his watch. "What's my hurry? Well, in about twenty minutes, a bunch of females will be invading the local beach for a photo shoot."

Eliot grabbed Alec's sleeve and began pulling him toward the exit. "Come on, let's go."

"How many's a bunch," inquired Hardison. 'One dozen or two?" Hardison eyed the food with longing as they strolled past.

"What'd I just say? A whole bunch!" Honestly, Eliot was just about to the end of his rope. The hacker was strung tighter than banjo wire.

Two seconds later, the rest of Eliot's statement kicked in.

"Wait, now hold up." Alec stopped in his tracks. "Did you just say something about a photo shoot? With real live women in nothing but skimpy bathing suits?"

"Probably so." Eliot laughed at Alec's enthusiasm. "And they're not just women."

"What else would they be?"

The confusion clearly showed on Hardison's face as he regarded his friend. Then his eyes grew round as saucers as a wayward thought took hold. "No way, Eliot! You won't fool me twice!"

"I wasn't planning on it." Eliot palmed his cell and dialed a number. He placed the phone to the hacker's ear and watched as Hardison listened to the person on the other end.

"Satisfied now?" Eliot regarded Alec with an evil glint in his eye as he pocketed his phone.

"We're good. And I must say I'm impressed. Now if you'll excuse me, I gotta run." Alec turned abruptly and sprinted toward the elevators.

Eliot was fast on his heels. "Where the hell do you think you're going?"

Hardison's mouth flew open in disbelief. "Where am I going, you ask? To change into something more comfortable. You honestly think I'm wearing these rags."

Eliot scowled at Alec. "They look fine to me."

Hardison snorted and shook his head. "This coming from someone who wears cowboy boots to bed."

"I only do that when I'm on the job. Makes getting dressed a whole lot easier. You should try it sometime."

"Hell no, not in my lifetime."

"Why not, you sleep in your clothes?"

"That was just for one night. Besides I was injured and I couldn't undress myself."

"The only thing injured was your pride. Quit sulking about it, it doesn't suit you."

Hardison planted his hands firmly on his hips and struck a pose. "Well I never," he lisped. He feigned a hurt look and batted his eyelashes to annoy Eliot. "You're just being a big tease. Come on, admit it."

Eliot rubbed his eyes where a headache was forming. Things were getting way off track. "Look," he said clearly exasperated. "I'm leaving right now, with or without you."

"Lighten up, bro. I swear sometimes you're way too serious."

"Only cause I have to deal with idiots on a daily basis, Hardison."

"If we weren't such good friends I'd be offended."

"You can take it anyway you want to," grumbled Eliot. "Now, are you coming or not?"

"Not!"

"Suit yourself."

Both men firmly stood their ground. Eliot, the sensible of the two, thought Hardison was being too picky. Hardison on the other hand, thought Eliot was being way too prickly.

It was a Mexican standoff, to be sure.

Time ticked by as Hardison contemplated his options. Eliot, fed up with Hardison's childish behavior, turned and made his way to the hotel's exit. Less than a minute later Hardsion blew through the doors, anxiously calling out the hitter's name. Eliot stood off to the side and watched in silent amusement. The disappointment was evident on the hacker's face when his search came up empty.

A shrill whistle rang through the air and Hardison turned to look over his shoulder. Eliot leaned against the building as if he didn't have a care in the world.

"Ready to go?"

"Right behind you." Hardison fell in step with Eliot and smiled. "I knew you wouldn't leave without me, no matter what you said."

"Maybe."

They struck out on foot and followed a well worn path that led to a sandy beach. It was a picture perfect day, not a cloud in sight to dampen the mood of the beach goers.

"So what's the shoot for?" Hardison asked, changing the subject.

"They're putting together a calendar to raise money for the town's hospital."

"So what are we talking about Eliot, college kids?"

"Not really. They're from a modeling agency in the states."

"Now that's what I'm talking about. Wholesome girl next door type."

Hardison had a gleam in his eyes that Eliot could only take as lust. But who could blame him? After all, women were meant to be enjoyed and pampered. It was all give and take. And as long as the women were willing, Eliot wouldn't deny them. He was a major player to be sure. But one thing he would never do was force himself on someone. It just wasn't in his nature.

It took Eliot a moment to notice that Hardison's endless chatter had suddenly stopped. Looking across the expanse of the beach, he realized why and smiled.

"Like the view?"

"Its picture perfect," quipped Hardison.

"I'm glad you approve."

"Eliot, I'm so glad you could make it." A leggy blond waved the two men over.

Hardison's gift of gab deserted him as he watched Eliot embrace the blond.

"Hey Tessa, got someone I want you to meet. This is Alec, a co-worker of mine."

Eliot watched as the blond gave Hardison a friendly kiss on his lips. Alec's arms automatically circled her waist to give her a friendly hug in return. The hacker was clearly enjoying the moment.

"Pleased to meet you, Alec." Tessa crooned as they slowly separated. Alec felt the loss of contact immediately and wondered if he could have another kiss to take its place.

Eliot coughed to get Hardison's attention. Clearly the hitter was amused.

"Tessa," called another model from a group of other models set up by the water's edge. "We're almost ready for you."

"Sorry, Eliot gotta run." As an after thought, Tessa ran back and gave the hacker a simple peck on the cheek. "As for you Alec, will you be around later?"

Hardison nearly stumbled in the sand. "Sure, sure," he blurted out. "I mean, yeah."

Clearly pleased, the model rejoined her friends and waited for the shoot to begin.

Eliot playfully punched him in the arm. "What'd I tell you, huh?"

"Ah, yeah," mumbled Hardison as he slowly came down from the clouds. "Man, I'll never make fun of your choice of women again."

"Glad to hear that."