Chapter 6
Francine was up early the next morning, ready to begin the day's surveillance. Room service had just delivered the breakfast she had ordered, and she poured herself a cup of coffee before making her way across the living area and walking over to Lee's door. Just as she was about to knock, she heard low laughter and murmurings from the room. She leaned closer to the door and listened intently. She couldn't make out any words, but she could tell Lee had a woman in his room. Her blue eyes flashed as she thought, 'That man is going to completely blow our cover.'
She rapped loudly on the door and was satisfied when the murmurings suddenly stopped. A few moments later, Lee opened the door slightly and asked, "What is it you want, Francine?"
"Well, Lee, we are on our honeymoon," she replied in a raised voice, "and I wanted to spend the morning with my husband. Why don't you come out here so we can talk about our plans for the day?"
Lee sighed and said, "OK, give me a few minutes and I'll be right out."
A short time later, Lee entered the living room to find Francine sitting on the sofa, arms crossed across her chest. "Lee, I can't believe you picked up a woman and brought her here. We are here on assignment, and you're going to blow it," she hissed. "Just when did you find her? When you told me we were being watched and you walked out to the entrance foyer? We are supposed to be a married couple."
Lee smiled wickedly. "Oh, don't worry Francine, she knows I'm married. In fact, she's married, too."
"What? What kind of woman is she?" she asked in shock.
"Well, I can say this about her without a doubt, Francine, that it's her marital status that makes it so perfect," he answered her with a roguish grin.
"I can't believe you did this, Lee. And what about Amanda? You know she has feelings for you, and even though I don't understand it, I thought maybe you had feelings for her too. But, I guess I was right; leopards can't change their spots after all."
"Come on, Francine, since when is my relationship with Amanda any business of yours?"
"Lee, she's my friend, and I think she deserves better than a boyfriend who cheats on her with a stranger."
"Is that the problem? That I'm having a fling with a stranger?" He paused, as if mulling over the situation, before asking with a wicked grin, "Am I detecting a little jealousy, Francine? Maybe you wanted to share my bed last night?"
Francine glowered at him before replying, "In your dreams, Stetson. I got over you a long time ago. But, you'd better remember that we're here to do a job, and if you don't pay more attention to our assignment, my report will include a detailed accounting of your behavior. You know I should contact Billy now and tell him about your most recent indiscretion. Billy will have my hide, as well as yours, if your tawdry one night stand messes up our mission. But, you're my friend, so I'll give you a second chance."
"Well, thank you so very much," he answered mockingly, as he turned to walk back to the bedroom. He glanced back and continued, "Since you're ready to go, why don't you go down and start surveillance? Just give me a few minutes and I'll meet you down by the pool."
"Get rid of the woman," she called at his retreating back.
He paused, grimacing. "Give it a rest, Francine," he snarled as he opened the door and entered the room, slamming the door shut. He stood there for a few seconds, trying to calm himself, before asking Amanda, "You heard?"
Amanda nodded and patted the bed next to her, motioning for Lee to sit, replying in a low voice, "Most of it. The two of you didn't exactly try to keep your voices down."
"Evidently the same could be said for us," Lee said softly. He sighed and took her hand in his, gently stroking the back of her hand with his thumb. "I told you this was a bad idea, Amanda."
"Sweetheart, if she does report you, we'll just explain it to Billy."
"No, we won't. I will. As far as Billy is concerned, you are not here."
"But. . ."
"No buts, Amanda. If anything comes from this, I'm the one taking responsibility. You're not supposed to be here, period. It will be easier for me to explain away an indiscretion than try to explain that I'm secretly married to my partner." Lee turned and looking into Amanda's eyes, smiled. "She thinks I'm cheating on you. She doesn't realize how impossible that would be."
Amanda's face lit up as she smiled back. "I love you, Lee." Leaning into him, she lightly pressed her lips against his and then pulled away.
Lee growled deep in his throat, then swiftly recaptured her lips and the two shared a prolonged, passionate kiss, before he reluctantly broke off and moved back, whispering, "If we don't watch it, Francine will have even more ammunition against me."
Amanda sighed and rested her head on his shoulder, murmuring, "Lee, does this mean I have to go home?"
He grinned as he placed a light kiss on her temple. "No, honey, it means we have to be more careful, and outsmart Francine. We just have to move our base of operations. So, what's your room number?"