Elixxir (The Brethren Series) by Deena Remiel

silent statue by their door, while he put the card in the lock, pushed the door open, and waved her in.
    He swore under his breath. “If you’re coming with me, then you’ll need to put on different clothes. Something much less revealing. I know I’m a big, strong man, but even I have my limits when it comes to warding off dangerous people. Do you have anything in here?” He dropped her bag on one of the queen-sized beds. And he did have his limits, probably. He just hadn’t reached them yet.
    “I have shorts and tank tops. Everything else is gone.”
    “Time to shop, then.” He dug into his pocket. “Here, take this. We’re going to get you some jeans, looser fitting ones, and a few baggy T-shirts.” She looked at his fistful of bills. “Listen, you can’t use your credit card, and whatever cash you do have, I want you to have for emergencies only. Oh, and since you can’t use your phone anymore, let’s get you a burner phone.”
    “A burner phone?”
    “Yes, a throw-away, untraceable.”
    “Oh, okay. Thanks, that makes a lot of sense.”
    “Yeah, well I do make sense every so often. Get used to it.” She snorted, grabbed the money, and started to leave. “Hey, wait! Here’s your room key, and you don’t get beyond five feet from me, you hear?”
    She took the key from his offered hand and shoved it in her bag. “Trying on clothes should be quite interesting then.” She winked and sashayed out.
    Oh, she’s asking for it ! Truth be told, the loose-fitting clothes were as much for his sake as for her safety. If he had to see her voluptuously kick-ass body in her skimpy shorts and tank top much longer, he might very well explode from carnal need. If only she wouldn’t argue so much, she’d be perfect! He did enjoy the verbal sparring, sometimes. Yeah, the banter teased his fun side, but the obstinacy was getting tiresome. He’d have to do something about that or he’d find this mission taking twice as long to accomplish. Holstering his Beretta, and shielding it against detection, he grabbed his leather duster and left the room.
    “Nathanael?”
    Her worried voice called to him. Well, as much as she was stubborn, he believed she was also, at times, still a young girl trapped in her woman’s body.
    He smiled and squeezed her arm gently. “Right behind ya. Don’t worry.”
     
    ***
     
    “They don’t make baggy jeans anymore, Nate! Now come on—” Callie flew her hands up. “This is the tenth pair I’ve tried on. I’m picking one and taking it. Enough is enough. It’ll be midnight before we make it to the station at the rate we’re going.”
    “Then I’ll get you a bigger size and a belt. That’ll make them baggy and saggy. Perfect for blending. What size are you?” She gave him a look of death. “What? Just tell me so I can get you a bigger size. I promise I won’t tell anyone.” She raised six fingers. He turned and went to the jeans rack to pick out the larger size.
    “Here, try these on.”
    She sighed and took the pair into the dressing room. When she came out she looked miserable. He smiled. “See, that’s what I’m talking about.”
    “Great, glad you’re happy to see me looking so frumpy.”
    She’d pouted so adorably, it took him by surprise. She trudged back into the dressing room. He couldn’t help himself, and took a quick look around. Seeing no attendants nearby at the moment, his adventurous side had to follow. He moved the dressing room curtain aside and stepped in, drawing it back around him for privacy.
    “Hey!” She swung around and whispered vehemently. “What do you think you’re doing?”
    He towered over her, backing her up against the mirror and put one hand on either side of her head. Careful to leave only enough space so their bodies wouldn’t touch, he looked her straight in the eyes and whispered back. “For your information, you would look sexy as hell in a potato sack, and still do in those jeans.” He winked and left as her jaw