"Don't."
She takes the coffee, but there's awareness in her eyes now. The space between us charged with everything that happened last night.
"We should probably talk about this," she says.
"About what?"
"About the fact that we're sharing a bed and kissing and generally ignoring every professional boundary that should exist between protective detail and client."
"You're not a client. You're a person under my protection."
"That's a distinction without a difference."
"No, it's not." I lean against the counter. "Client implies a transaction. This isn't transactional."
"Then what is it?"
Good question. "Complicated."
"We established that last night." She takes a sip of coffee. "I'm asking what we're doing about the complicated part."
"Figuring it out as we go?"
"That's very unlike you. You're a planner."
"Plans change when variables change."
"So I'm a variable now."
"You've been a variable since the parking lot." I move closer. "The kiss just made it official."
She sets down her coffee, reaches up to cup my face. "For the record, I don't regret it."
"Good. Neither do I."
"Even though it's complicated?"
"Especially because it's complicated." I kiss her, slow and thorough. When we break apart, she's smiling.
"We're terrible at professional boundaries."
"Absolutely terrible."
The rest of the morning passes quietly. She reviews patient files on her laptop. I run security protocols, coordinate with Rivera, and check in with my team. Normal work routine in abnormal circumstances.
Afternoon brings surgeries. I shadow her through the hospital, maintain my position outside the OR while she works. Standard protective detail that feels different now that I know how she tastes, how she fits against me in the dark.
When we get back to my place, I start prepping for dinner. Hayes, Santos, Sullivan, and Garcia are due at eighteen-hundred, which gives me an hour to make sure I have enough food.
"What can I do?" Gwen asks.
"Stay out of my way while I cook?"
"I could help."
"You burn water, remember?"
"I sautéed garlic successfully yesterday. I'm expanding my skill set."
