tantly.'
He started in on the second dinner as Mandi and John chatted and talked
about wrapping things up in the ops room. Cade kind of hurried through his steak
and John asked him why he was in a rush. Pointing at the 'go' bag, Cade told him
that was for someone upstairs and that he didn't want it to get cold.
"Would it maybe be for Beth?" asked John.
"Can't let her starve. She's NIA property."
"Thought so. Carter says you've been spending a lot of time in her room."
"Someone was using my room." Meeting John's gaze, Cade cautioned, "Beth
doesn't know -- or maybe she just doesn't want to know -- that anyone else
knows, you know? I don't really know why it matters to her, but it does."
Mandi grinningly crossed her heart and zipped her lips like a schoolgirl
taking a pledge of silence. John chuckled and nodded as he spoke.
"No sweat. Like it or not, she knows we've been monitoring the hallways, so
this has to be a personal preference. I'll mention to Carter to keep it quiet,
okay?"
"Thanks. Word'll probably get out sooner or later, but it doesn't have to
happen today."
As he finished up his steak, Mandi said, "I'll see you later, Ed. Give me a
call around seven or drop by the room."
"Seven. You got it." Cade stood up and picked up the bag and the bill, then
said, "Later, all. I'll tip the waiter when he makes my change," and headed for
the register.
After paying the bill, Cade took the stairs to save time and reached Beth's
room in moments. He let himself in, put the card on the desk, and went to the
bed. Beth seemed to be in deep sleep, but as he turned away, she spoke.
"Hi, there."
"Hi, yourself, lady. I brought you some food."
Smiling drowsily up at him, she said, "Such service. Maybe I should keep
you, Cade. What do you think about that?"
"I think you'd be disappointed, ma'am. I turn into a plain ol'
inconsiderate, garden variety man on weekdays and I get downright mean on
holidays. Hope you like steak for lunch."
Sitting up, Beth said, "Steak is fine, Ed. I'll bet you don't change at all,
really. I'll bet you're like this all the time."
He shrugged. "Maybe so. Doesn't matter. You have to fly back to D.C. tonight
and I'll be in Florida by tomorrow. Let's just play some more and make the best
of our time together."
Tossing the sheet aside, Beth stood up. Cade eyed her nakedness as she
walked over to him and embraced him for a