I smile again at the newfound realization that she isn’t a spy, an agent, or a mercenary trying to kill me. She’s a normal girl—in the best way possible.
I lift her up into my arms. She barely stirs. The past few days have felt like an otherworldly experience. The change in the air is clear when I walk out onto the tarmac and see Jackson waiting.
We’re in danger again. It lurks behind every shadow, threatening to get the knife in its mark this time.
He opens the door for me to lay Kate on the backseat. She finally stirs, opening her eyes a fraction. I sit down next to her, supporting her head on my shoulder as Jackson drives.
“I went through Georginne’s office. Nothing.”
“She’s probably smart enough to keep it hidden.”
“So, what’s our next move?”
“I need to stop at the office.”
“Now?”
“Yes.”
Kate is sitting up, peering out the window as we pass by the lights of the city. She turns back to me, eyebrows pulled together. “Where are we going?”
“I need to check on something at the office. I could take you to my penthouse, but...”
She nods, understanding. I don’t want her to be alone, considering what happened the last time.
Jackson takes us to the Bradshaw Enterprises building, idling inside the parking garage.
“Do you need me to come inside?” he asks.
“Just keep your phone on.”
Kate could stay in the car with him and be perfectly safe, but we both seem to ignore that option. She steps out of the SUV, walking in through the side door in the parking garage behind me.
The hall is dark, a lone light illuminating the way. A heavyset security guard is stationed ahead, texting on his phone.
“Hey, just grabbing something.”
He nods in our direction, returning his attention to the device in his hand.
We travel up the elevator, both breathing heavy as we ascend. I watch her face, wanting her lips on mine. I step closer, and her breath hitches. When she was attacked, my gut reaction was to snatch her out of harm’s way, hiding out until I could formulate a plan. We couldn’t stay at the farm in North Carolina forever. If we’d tried, they’d have found us eventually.
“You should stay with me until we find out who it is.”
Her head bobs in agreement. It’s late. I need to focus.
Fifty-six floors takes a long time.We can get a little distracted before we reach the top.
My hand reaches out to brace against the wall behind her, and I clench my jaw. She’s watching my lips, pulse racing under her jawline. I lean down, the width of a piece of paper separating us.
“I don’t know if we’re in danger here or not.”
She gulps. “I trust you.”
That was all I needed to hear before pressing my lips to hers. She’s soft and pliable, and I love molding my mouth to the shape of hers. My tongue reaches in for a brief moment, savoring the taste of the sweet peppermint gum she was chewing on. She presses up against me, and I’m finding that I live for her reactions. Her hand is on my chest, gripping my shirt. We forget where we are, each moment taking us closer to the clouds.
I finally pull back, as the excitement becomes too much, pressing my forehead to hers. “You make it hard for me to focus.”
“I’m sorry,” she breathes.
