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me blew me away sometimes; it was as if we were on a permanent
honeymoon, never getting our fill of each other—never fucking, coming,
devouring each other enough.
    “I’m just going to powder my
nose,” Mable said, resting her fingers on my forearm.
    “Yes, of course.” I bit my
bottom lip, preventing myself from adding, “look in the mirror, please.”
    She wandered off, a little
wobbly. She’d had a sherry too many perhaps.
    I spied the buffet and my
stomach gave a pang of longing. I’d been inking all day and only managed an
egg-and-bacon Subway at about eleven. I weaved my way through the room, pausing
briefly when a passing waiter offered to top up my flute. The bubbles popped
and fizzed over the rim, dampening my hand. I smiled my thanks.
    Smoked salmon called to me and
I helped myself to a sliver on a thin slice of rye bread and let the flavors
spread on my tongue.
    “Hey, gorgeous.”
    Thick arms wrapped around my
waist and a stubbled chin scratched against my temple.
    “Hey,” I said, pressing my ass
into my husband’s groin. “Are you getting on okay with your…diplomacy?”
    “It’s all good. Some great
guys here to connect with.”
    “That’s what it’s all about.”
I reached for a chunk of cheese and popped it into my mouth.
    “It is. But it’s work and I
can’t wait to be off duty.”
    “Oh yeah?”
    “Yeah, because then it’s us time.”
    “I like the sound of that.”
    He pressed a quick kiss to the
curve of my jawline, then released me, stepped back.
    “Sian, how is the buffet, my
dear?”
    Mable had returned, luckily
minus the lipstick on her teeth.
    “It’s good, very good.” I
smiled.
    She looked between me and my
husband with an expectant expression on her face.
    “Oh, I’m sorry,” I said,
“please let me introduce you. This is my husband, Coben Wright. Coben, this is
Mable Stern.”
    She tilted her chin and
nodded. “Of course, yes, very pleased to meet you, Mr. Wright.”
    “Please, Coben is fine.” He
gave one of his most charming smiles and reached for her hand. He drew it to
his mouth and swept a light kiss on her knuckles.
    Mable all but simpered. She
fluttered her eyelashes and jigged from one foot to the other.
    “Oh,” she said. “Well…yes,
lovely.” She glanced to her right. “Please, I must introduce you to Harold. I
know he’s dying to meet you.” She withdrew her hand and clutched it to her
chest as though holding the sensation of Coben’s lips within her fist.
    “That would be wonderful.”
Coben held out the crook of his arm, offering it to Mable.
    She took it, still beaming.
    Coben glanced briefly at me,
then led the way to Mable’s husband.
    I watched them go, pleased.
Harold Stern was someone Coben had been hoping to get on familiar terms with.
Mr. Stern had a new branch of his business being set up in Abu Dhabi that would
no doubt need expert cyber security. A service Coben could offer.
    I helped myself to another
piece of salmon, then spotted the wife of one of Coben’s employees. She was
tapping away on her iPhone but must have sensed me looking her way because she
glanced up, smiled. I headed over and we were soon lost in a conversation about
the best all-inclusive resorts in the Maldives—somewhere I was dying to go.
    I didn’t notice the time
slipping away and before I knew it Coben and I were in the car heading home.
    “How did it go with Harold
Stern?” I asked, resting my hand on Coben’s thigh the way I often did when he
was driving. I liked to be touching him whenever I could.
    “Great,” he said, nodding.
“He’s very interested in what we can offer him.”
    “He’s a smart guy.”
    “Well, let’s just say he’s in
the know about what threats he’s up against. He’s also heard good things about
us, which is a big plus.”
    “Yes, word of mouth is what
it’s all about. You’re not exactly advertising in Metro .”
    “Seems the word is spreading.
These events might be a bit boring for you to attend with me