Electricity danced across my skin. “Are you suggesting what I think you’re suggesting?”
“Remember that sink in the officers’ washroom?” He pulled back, his lips curved in a half-smile.
Caught between amusement and arousal, I whispered, “The one in here looks sturdier.”
His fingers traced a slow line from my collar, down my sternum, and between my breasts. “This is better than not looking at each other.”
I was about to haul him inside the bathroom and lock us inside when a door down the hallway opened with a soft click. We broke apart instantly, like two teens caught by their parents.
Scarlett walked out of our room, already dressed and alert. Her eyes flicked between us. “Tactical planning?”
Rav shifted his stance, adopting a casual posture. “I informed Brooke I’d drive her to pick up the incursion suits in fifteen minutes.”
“Actually,” Scarlett replied, “we need you at Pompeii this morning, Rav. Drew texted me about the cameras last night, and I want you to handle it. If Percival’s available, he’s my pick to go with you.”
Disappointment coiled in my stomach, but I didn’t let her see. We had a day and a half until the concert. Equipment failures weren’t just inconvenient—they were potentially catastrophic for surveillance.
“I’ll contact Percival,” I said, avoiding Rav’s eyes. “He can meet you there.”
“Perfect,” Scarlett nodded. “I spoke with Mario about it, and he’ll get you in through the House of the Arches entrance. He felt it would be wise to enter farther from the amphitheater. I’ll get the coffee started.”
As she disappeared down the staircase, Rav’s eyes locked with mine. Wedidhave a mission to focus on. But dammit, the way he was looking at me. Before either of us could speak, the other bathroom door opened, and Malcolm stepped out, freshly showered and fully dressed.
“Scarlett just texted me,” he said, not slowing on his way to the stairs. “I’m driving Brooke to the university.”
A muscle tightened in Rav’s jaw. Driving me to the lab hadn’t simply been a cover story. Hewantedto be the one to take me. “I’ll head to Pompeii for nine.”
The anxiety flashing through me was irrational. We’d been apart for six years. I could certainly handle a few hours’ separation. But after last night—after everything we’d finally said and all the walls we’d torn down—being apart felt wrong at a molecular level.
The sound of Malcolm’s steps faded down the stairs, and Rav’s eyes landed on me again.
I reached for the hem of his shirt, cueing him to move closer again. “How soon until someone else comes out of one of the rooms?”
He gave a tiny chuckle. “Probably the moment I get too close.”
“Probably.” I let go of his shirt and patted his chest. “I should go. The sooner I’m done with Norris, the better.”
“Don’t let him shit-talk you. And if he tries, tell him I’ll pay him a visit.” He winked, and as another door clicked open, he vanished into the bathroom.
After dropping my things off in the bedroom, I joined Scarlett and Malcolm in the kitchen. She handed me a steaming mug without comment. The rich aroma of Mario’s secret roast was a welcome pick-me-up.
“Norris is expecting us at nine,” I said, checking my watch. “I’ll call Percival about meeting Rav.”
Scarlett nodded, and I retreated to the study to call him.
He answered quickly.
“How are your shadows?” I asked.
“Three teams, rotating shifts,” he replied with a long sigh. “Nothing direct, but they’re not subtle about it. I can’t believe it’s gone on so fucking long.”
I explained the camera issues and suit pickup. “Can you meet Rav at the park?”
“Huck was about ready to go into the tunnels himself,” he said. “The man can’t handle surveillance dying. You okay handling Norris?”
“Malcolm’s going with me.” I rolled my shoulder, catching myself before I pulled my hair forward for the fiftieth time this morning. “Should be straightforward.”
“Norris is never straightforward.” Percival groaned, expressing his irritation with the misogynistic ass. “He contacted someone at Langley yesterday asking about Pendragon’s current operations.”
