That’s it!
Both men jump as I shuffle forward on my knees.I can’t believe I didn’t think of it before.
“What are you doing?”Hal asks, his voice tight.
“Mia?”Even Sterling sounds concerned.
They should both be thanking me.
It takes longer than I’d like to get to the desk, but I pull open the second drawer, happiness exploding in my chest as I look down at a pair of scissors, exactly where I expected them.
I take care of Hal’s ties first, nodding when he offers a quiet, “Thank you.”
Sterling is silent as I snip his bindings off, the plastic falling to the floor between us.He pockets it before taking the scissors from me and cutting mine off.
“Smart move,” he says, his voice warm against my skin.He places the scissors on the floor beside him.
“Thanks.”
Have I ever noticed how long his lashes were before?
There’s no first aid kit in the room, so I make do with tissues and water.
“I don’t mind a few extra scars.”
Extra?How often is he throwing himself in the way of danger?And why isn’t anyone protecting him?
“Well, I do,” I huff.I start with his hand, eager to avoid the endless blue that I can feel staring at me.
“Phone’s dead,” Hal says, dejected.
I didn’t even notice him move over to the desk.
“And the computer’s locked.There’s no way to call for help.”
Great.
“Shouldn’t the cops be inside by now?”I ask Sterling.
His jaw tics like he’s been chewing on the same thought.“Maybe, but with this many hostages, they’d be reluctant to trigger any retaliation.”
There’s something in his tone, like he only half believes what he’s saying.Whatever he’s thinking, he’s keeping it to himself.
Hal settles back on the floor across from us, elbows on his knees.
“You’re incredible,” Sterling says, his voice soft.
I feel Sterling’s eyes on me like a caress.Heat radiates outward through my skin like a burn.
“What?”He can’t be serious.“You’re delirious, clearly.”I hold up my hand.“How many fingers can you see?”
I think my heart straight-up falls over when he smiles.It’s so unlike him.
It’s gorgeous.
“I’m serious.How did you know where to look?”
I shrug.“I guessed.”
