“If you felt the same way she does.” Cass grinned.
Rafe glanced down at Ahri, wondering what the two women had discussed about it. She shrugged.
“I really do need her though,” Cass said
“Wait, I didn’t get to ask you,” he said when Ahri stepped toward his assistant.
“What?”
“Will you sit with me at the banquet?”
“I’d love to.” Her gaze darted to his mouth, but she pressed her lips together, her cheeks flushing.
“Do you have a dress here?” Rafe asked. “Don’twear the armor.”
Ahri laughed and hurried away with Cass. He stood for a few seconds, enjoying the incredible way he felt, like he’d just finished the best zip line ride of his life. Thinking ahead to when she’d be his partner at the banquet, he wondered what she’d wear. It’d better not be that armor because he really did want to hold her properly.
Still grinning, Rafe picked up his clunky rifle, settled it on his shoulder, and headed out to the party.
18
AHRI HAD RUN FROM ONE responsibility to another all day, her emotions soaring. Heavens. Thatkiss. She’d pinched herself several times to make sure she wasn’t dreaming. If she weren’t so tired, she’d dance.
The Midsummer’s Eve event had been a huge success. She was glad she’d been able to talk Cass into adding food and craft vendors along with the face painting. It’d added a carnival-like atmosphere. Ahri had loved watching the families, parents and children geeking out together in costume.
As security guards escorted the last of the day visitors out, Ahri headed inside the building. It was a good thing she’d spent the last couple of nights in Kayn’s apartment. The only cocktail dress she owned was there. She’d planned to wear her armor to the banquet, but Rafe’s comment had her second guessing her decision. She didn’t want to wear anything that would keep her from getting more kisses. All she had to do was change and freshen up, and then she’d meet Rafe.
Giddiness filled her again. She was going to the banquet withhim. With his simple statement—and those amazing kisses—he’d blown away all her doubts.
Ahri used her employee fob to enter the building. The empty lobby had an eerie feel to it, and she slowed her stride. Busy work places always seemed creepy to her whenever she’d had to come in after hours. This was the first time she’d experienced that here. Since it was a worldwide company, the place had always seemed to be full of teams working on projects around the clock.
Before, she’d always entered Kayn’s apartment through his private entrance. As she approached the programming wing door, she stopped. It stood ajar.
Her brother was a creature of habit, and healwayslocked his doors. It was something they’d both picked up after living in poor areas in Arizona. Francie was always teasing Ahri about locking the front door when they were all home, but she did it automatically. Kayn was the same way.
Could he have been in such a hurry today that he’d forgotten? Her gut told her he wouldn’t. Maybe someone from his programming team had needed something in one of the conference rooms and left it open.
Maybe not. Ahri groaned. Maybe she was making something out of nothing. No one but an employee could get inside anyway. Right?
Should she send her brother a text about it as a precaution? Maybe someone on his teamhadcome in the building for something—and hadn’t noticed that one of the guests had gotten in behind them? A prankster could do a lot of damage. She pinched her lips, torn between calling security and checking it out herself. If she raised an alarm and it was nothing, she’d look stupid.
The hair stood up on the back of her neck; she wasn’t alone.
“Now here’s my favorite lady in armor,” Rafe’s voice came from behind her.
Ahri let out a breath. She turned around. He looked a little worn from the busy day but still yummy. Putting one finger to her lips, she pointed with her other hand at the open door. Frowning, he darted to her side and pulled her back a few steps.
“It’s not Kayn?” he whispered.
“I don’t think so.” She pulled out her phone and sent her brother a quick text about the door. “Should you call one of the security guards?”
“I’m tempted,” Rafe said, still staring at the door, “but if it turns out to be nothing, I’d hate to have dragged one of them away from rounding up any straggling guests outside. That could be an even bigger issue. I can see that next year we’ll have to assign someone to inside duty.”
“How would somebody get inside anyway?” she asked.
“That, my love, is the $60 million question.”
Ahri warmed at the endearment, in spite of her worry about that open door. She rewarded him with a quick kiss.
