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it.” Matthew’s tone was wry.
    Shane felt as if he’d just been told off by his teacher. He looked at Matthew in disbelief. “Christ, you sound like my father might—if he were still around. You’re only, what, early thirties?”
    “Thirty,” said Matthew. “I obviously look older than I am.”
    Shane was embarrassed. “Hey, I didn’t mean you looked older. You just seem it. I think it’s that whole ‘control freak’ thing you have going on. I think you look just great anyway.” He grinned, feeling mischievous. “And that broken nose is very sexy. So is the whole designer stubble thing you have going on around your chin. Makes you look manly and rugged. “
    Matthew raised an eyebrow, a gesture Shane found very sexy. His trousers felt tight all of a sudden.
    “Control freak? Is that what you see when you look at me?” Matthew asked. Shane noticed he’d sidestepped the comments about his appearance.
    Shane smiled slightly. “That and a really hot body. And I love your accent. It’s different.” His attempt at flirting seemed to pay off as Matthew’s face flushed even under the olive complexion of his skin. He ran a hand through his think, dark sable-coloured hair and Shane watched, mesmerised.
    “I think this conversation just ended.” Matthew reached into his trouser pocket and took out a bunch of keys. “I need to go home, get some sleep. Can I drop you off, save you running anywhere?”
    Shane nodded. “You can swing by the Baglione so I can pick up Bushwhacker. Then I’ll catch some shut-eye there—seeing as David paid for the room already—and then go home later today.”
    “Bushwhacker?” Matthew looked perplexed. “Is that a dog?”
    Shane grinned. “My trusty laptop. It’s a tool of my trade as an IT security consultant.” He used the term people were used to, not wanting to explain right now that he was actually a very qualified and notorious hacker. It was also how he’d managed to track down David’s home number. “I don’t go anywhere without him.”
    “Him? Your bloody laptop has a gender and a name?” Matthew sounded flabbergasted.
    Shane chuckled. “Careful, Matthew, language, mate. You’ve given me the lecture, best get your own house in order.” He winked at the other man. “By the way, you know my full name but I’m damned if I know yours. What is it?”
    “Matthew Langer.”
    Shane looked at him. “Is that a German surname? That must be the accent I can hear in your voice.”
    The lawyer nodded. “Yes it is. I was born in Dresden, and I spend a lot of time there.”
    Shane cocked an eyebrow at Matthew. “The English version would be ‘Longer’ if I remember my school German at all. Does that apply to anything else other than your surname, Mr. Langer?” He was getting a second wind despite the time and the fact he hadn’t slept. Matthew sighed and shook his head, moving out across to the parking lot. But Shane got the distinct impression he didn’t mind the flirting. He followed the man, taking time to admire his firm backside as he walked. The man is definitely a bit of an enigma , he thought. One I wouldn’t mind getting to know better.
    In the car Shane buckled up and sat back for the short ride to his hotel. He gazed around the car. It was immaculate, looking in almost showroom condition. Matthew started the engine and drove off. His hands were large, with long fingers and well-groomed nails. For the first time Shane noticed the thin gold band around his left ring finger. His heart lurched.
    So the man was in a committed relationship. That was something he hadn’t considered .
    “This car of yours looks as if it doesn’t get out much,” he remarked as he fiddled with the knobs and fixtures in the car. Matthew glanced at him.
    “I don’t have the need to use it often, other than the occasional trip. Most of business has been in and round London. But I like having the option to have my own wheels.”
    He changed gears expertly as he navigated