He let the quiet stretch, unhurried.
“Relax,cher,” he murmured, voice dipping low.“I’m not trying to make you uncomfortable.”
Her eyes darted away.“Too late.”
He leaned one shoulder against the wall beside her, hands loose, posture easy.“You want me to walk it back?Tell her I misspoke?”
She froze.Then, too quickly said, “Yes.Obviously.I mean—yes.”
But her tone betrayed her.So did the subtle flash of disappointment she couldn’t quite hide.
Kayne saw it, but he didn’t comment on it.He just filed it away in that quiet place he kept for things worth revisiting.
“I’ll handle it however you want,” he said.“This is your call.”
They both knew it wasn’t.
Chloe’s throat worked.“We’ll figure it out.”
He nodded.“Whatever you decide.”As long as it’s what I determine is best.
She looked up at him, something vulnerable shining in her blue eyes.“Why are you being so nice?”
He tilted his head.“I’m not being nice.”
“Yes, you are.”
“I’m doing my job.”
She blinked.“Your job isn’t to—”
“My job,” he said quietly, “is to stay close.Blend in.Keep people from looking too hard at why I’m here.”
Her breath hitched.
“And,” he added, because it was true and he didn’t bother to pretend otherwise, “I don’t mind the role.”
Her pulse jumped.He heard it.Feltit.Liked it far too much.
A knock on the doorframe shattered the moment.A man in overalls and a hard hat stuck his head inside.“Ms.Giordano?Sorry to interrupt, but the plumber needs to ask you some questions before he leaves.”
Chloe practically launched herself away from the wall.“Coming!”
Kayne stayed behind a second longer, letting the quiet settle.Then, just to himself, he let out a slow, satisfied breath.Yeah, she was flustered.
And he was enjoying the hell out of it.
#
Chloe had never realizedhow small her temporary office was until Kayne settled into the visitor chair across from her.He made the room look undersized and underfurnished.Possibly in violation of basic oxygen regulations.
He lounged there with effortless stillness, long legs stretched out, hands easy on the armrests, as if gravity worked differently for him.Meanwhile, Chloe kept rearranging her mouse pad with the focus of a diplomat brokering peace between hostile nations.
“This is your command center?”he asked, amusement crinkling the corners of those soulful green eyes.
“For the time being.”She swept an exaggerated hand across the cramped space.“World domination, one glute workout at a time.”
He huffed a soft laugh.It reached his eyes.She pretended that didn’t affect her physiology.
