Despite our differing upbringings, Pen always insisted on self-reliance and financial independence. I still remember our late-night arguments over me buying us takeaway when she wouldn’t leave the lab to eat.
As we make our way back to the office, Pen stops me, turning me to face her. At six feet, she is one of the few women I don’t have to crick my neck to talk to.
“We cannot do this in your office. My presence is going to raise questions.”
I fold my arms over my chest.
“I’m not giving you access to my server, Pen. That’s like opening the door.”
“It’s not, I promise you. Trust me on this.”
“Why?”
Pen’s expression falls. “Will you trust me if you find a bug in your office?”
“How can I be sure you didn’t place it during your earlier visit?”
“Because you saw me the whole time. My chair was the only place for planting it. That’s why I didn’t move around. I had a feeling you might be suspicious.”
We stare at each other.Am I suspicious?When did our relationship become so distant? When did I start looking at friends and question their integrity? My life has gone to shit.
“You’re engaged to my biggest competitor,” I say, trying to defend myself. “You could spy for him or be planting something.”
“That’s true,” she says, surprising me when she doesn’t protest. “I can also turn around and walk away now if you want me to. But Elijah, I could never hurt your family. Ever. Kris is my fiancé, yes. But Kat is one of my closest friends, and Gabriel ismy silent partner. Your mum is like a second mother, and your father?—”
Her voice catches. The death of my father devastated Pen as much as it devastated the rest of us.
I know what she says is true. My entire family loves Pen. Sometimes, I wonder whether they love her more than me. But then, there hasn’t been much to love in recent years.
“Okay, if I find anything, I’ll think about it.”
Pen nods her affirmation at my words.
“I’ll leave you here. If the watch vibrates, do not show any emotion. If they’ve planted a camera, you don’t want them to know you’re onto them.”
A crowd of people walks past us.
“How about dinner at my place? I know Mum would love to see you.”
I frown. Pen opens her eyes wide, clearly hoping I catch on. Will Louise be there? It’s been a while since I saw Pen’s mum.
I roll mine and say with a hint of sarcasm, “That sounds great. Lottie is with Darra. I’d appreciate some company.”
Pen bites her lip to hide her smirk at my lack of enthusiasm.
“Great,” she repeats, her smile wide. “I’ll get out of your hair,” she says, moving towards me.
She wraps her hand around my neck and pulls me forward. Her breath against my ear, doing strange things to my heart rate.
“Here,” she says as I feel her hand move to my pocket, pushing something inside. I freeze as a shot of desire shoots straight to my cock.
What the…fuck!
Pressing a chaste kiss to my cheek, oblivious to my state, she whispers, “Plug that into your computer. It will check for malware.” She steps back and smiles, declaring, “I’ll see you later at mine. Oh, and can you bring my case? I left it in your office.”She turns and heads towards the kerb, raising her hand to hail a taxi before I can say anything else.
My hand goes to my cheek, where her lips have imprinted on my skin. I stare into space, wondering what the hell is going on in my life, willing my body to calm down. This is Pen. Pen’s engaged, soon to be wed. Not someone who should be on my radar. She was my friend, is here to help. It’s clearly been too long since I spent any time with the opposite sex.
I push my hand into my pocket and pull out two items. A memory stick and a gate fob.
