The Savvy Sistahs by Brenda Jackson Page B

inwardly groaned in relief that she caught on quickly and had the good sense to play along. He took a step back and gazed down at her. Her lips were still parted in surprise and looked warm, inviting. Now that he knew her taste, it took everything he had not to pull her back in his arms and capture her lips with his mouth again.
    Remember, Masters, this is nothing more than a job.
    He sighed deeply, wondering why, if that was the case, the effects of the kiss were sending hot vibrations along his nerve endings. And he could tell, even though the kiss had been rather short in his estimation, that Brandy Bennett had been affected by the contact as well. He also knew she was trying to downplay that fact.
    “Grey, it’s good seeing you again, too. How was your trip?” she asked in a somewhat shaky voice.
    “It was fine, but somehow they lost my luggage. I’ve requested for it to be brought up to your suite when the airline delivers it here.” If she was stunned and confused at his insinuation that he would be sharing her suite, she didn’t show it. But he had a feeling she would have a lot to say when they were alone.
    “All right, come up and let me get you settled.”
    He immediately fell in step beside her as they walked across the lobby to the elevators. “This is a private elevator,” she said of the third one in the group of six. “It will take you to the administrative offices as well as to the fourteenth floor where my suite is located. However, to get to my floor you need to know the special code.”
    He nodded and as soon as the elevator door opened, they both stepped inside. Once the door closed behind them she quickly turned on him, no doubt to give him hell if the frown that had suddenly marred her brow was any indication. But he quickly placed a hand to her lips and mouthed the words, “This elevator may be bugged.”
    That got her attention. He watched as her shoulders tensed and she looked intently at him to make sure that she had deciphered his silent message correctly. He nodded. She then took a deep breath and turned to insert her passkey into the panel box. The two of them remained silent the entire time the elevator made its way to the fourteenth floor.
    Once they arrived on her floor, Grey noted that Brandy took her cue from him and remained silent as they walked down the hall to her suite. Even when they entered her suite she stood back as he looked around before gathering her hand in his and saying rather loudly, “I need a shower, baby. Come take one with me.”
    She didn’t hesitate when he motioned for her to lead him toward the bathroom. Once inside she watched as he closed the door behind them and quickly walked over to the shower and turned it on full blast.
    He then turned back to her. “All right, we can talk now but we still need to keep our voices lowered. The water will drown out our voices. If your suite is bugged, no one will be able to make out what we’re about to discuss.”
    Brandy lifted a brow. “Honestly, Mr. Masters, do you really think someone would go so far as to bug my suite?” she whispered. “We’re talking about a stalker and not a spy from another hotel wanting trade secrets. I’ve already told my cousins who is behind this. My ex-husband, Lorenzo Ballentine, is trying to scare me away from here.”
    Grey lifted his own brow. “Is that what you think?”
    Brandy’s forehead bunched. “Yes, although I don’t believe he did it himself. I wouldn’t put it past him to have someone here at the hotel, someone who used to work for him when he was in charge and who still feels loyal to him, do his dirty work.”
    “Are you certain of that?”
    He watched her breathe in deeply. She then answered him honestly. “At the moment I’m not certain of anything.”
    Grey smiled, knowing it was probably hard for her to admit that. “And that’s why I’m here as a favor to Alexia. I promised her I would get to the bottom of this and I will. However, until I do we