"I honestly don't know. But involving you in the investigation could have been risky to you when it was deemed unnecessary."
"Considering she didn't let me interact with anyone, I think we can assume that wasn't the real reason."
"Would you believe that I missed you? I got used to you being a part of my day. I felt lost without seeing you, even though talking to you might have been viewed as a conflict of interest."His voice dropped lower, the confession landing between them like something fragile.
"Why is it different today?"
"The transfer to DC. I'm off the case and in a different department."
"It wasn't because of me, was it?"
"In a way. They appreciated my dedication in addition to my skills and felt that I would be a good fit on this new project. You said you knew part of this. How?"
"I did a little background research on you. Obviously, I don't have access to all the depth of info that you do, but I was at least able to determine that you weren't there to harm me." She watched his reaction carefully, gauging whether her admission would shift the delicate balance between them.
"You should come work for us. I'm glad that you took measures to make sure you were safe, but you really shouldn't have been working so late and going home by yourself."
"I wasn't. You were always there. I don't know what I'm going to do when you aren't." The words came out softer than she intended, exposing a vulnerability she hadn't meant to reveal.
"Bri, our timing may be bad at the moment, but that doesn't mean we can't talk like we have tonight. It doesn't have to be all or nothing, does it?" He reached across the small space separating them, his fingers finding the curve of her jaw with a tenderness that made her throat tighten.
CHAPTER 9
“Bri,”she heard her name from somewhere beyond her sleepy haze. Stretching and twisting her body, she tried to get her blood moving until she heard a low growl.
“The flight!” She jolted upright. He was so close, their noses almost touched. “Did we miss it?” Her voice turned to a whisper, feeling the heat of him as he sat on the edge of her seat, pressed against her thighs.
“Shhh.” The sound puffed his lips, making them more kissable than they had been in her dreams.“We have plenty of time. I thought you might need some caffeine first.” He held up the paper cup, the aroma of citrusy vanilla mixing with coffee enveloped her the way she wished he would.
“You really think of everything. Do you have a checklist for all your women?” They were minutes from departing, in more than one way, and she was angry. Not at him, but the situation that her boss had created and how obligated Bri felt to prove herself for the sake of her future.
“There is no one else.” He murmured, kissing her forehead. His confession last night had underscored her attachment to him, or rather, how she was already feeling the loss of him.
“I should go freshen up before we board.” She slipped past him before she got any more emotional. Taking her bags, she headed to the nearest restroom. A quick paper towel bath, deodorant, and an empty bladder, as well as a clean shirt and panties, were rejuvenating. Putting her braids in a half-updo and re-applying her makeup helped her feel ready to face him and the next part of the trip.
“Hey,” he breathed the word, looking her over when she found him in a line that hadn’t been called for boarding yet. “I’ve always liked your hair like that. It reveals more of your elegant neck.”
“You shouldn’t say things like that.” It was moments of such familiarity that made it feel as if they’d been dating for the past three months instead of avoiding each other.
“Why? It’s not like I said I want to see if all of your body blushes as beautifully as your cheeks.” She could feel the heat of his words travel down her chest to between her legs.
“Ethan, if you were going to talk dirty to me, couldn’t you have done it last night when I could have done something about it?” They shuffled forward with the crowd as their line number was called.
“That’s exactly why I didn’t. As crazed as you make me, I might have gotten us arrested. Besides, you specificallyandrepeatedly said that nothing can happen between us.” He whispered in her ear, pulling her tightly against him.
“I’m starting to regret that. I’m having difficulty remembering the reasons when you’re this close.” She could feel his low growl vibrate through her.
They walked quietly, parting briefly to scan their boarding passes, onto the jetway, knowing that each step was closer to saying goodbye. They had exchanged phone numbers and socials, but it wasn’t the same as having him so close.
“I guess this is it,” she said, stopping at her row.
“I’ll meet you at the end of the jetway when we land.”
“Why delay the inevitable?”
“Why hold up the line? Move out of the way.” An older man behind them hissed.
“Hey, it’s you two again. Aren’t you sitting together?” The helpful man from their cancelled flight interjected when the older man had shoved past them.
