It’s dizzying.
The kiss is so completely consuming all I can do is hope my knees don’t buckle when he pulls away. But he doesn’t pull away, not completely.
He’s imposing when he needs to be, and he’s also graciously aware of what I need, even before I know. Do I need a hero? Or do I need the silent reassurance that my accomplishments are many and I can conquer anything life throws at me?
Right now it’s both, and he seems to know that too as he scoops me into his arms and carries me to the SUV, settling me into the passenger seat before getting the rest of our stuff and joining me in the cab.
“I almost forgot; this is yours.”
“What is it?” I ask as Tom hands me a cell phone.
“Your new phone.”
New…
“But everything is synced, right?” He shakes his head and cue the internal panic.“Tom,”—I swallow hard as my cheeks heat—“I may not have stressed this before, but I am terrible with technology and heavily reliant on all the notes and passwords I have saved in my phone.”
Also scratch all the nice things I said about him knowing exactly what I need because this is not it. I’m the person who literally holds on to anything until they tell me they don’t make the necessary parts, chargers, or updates to support the device anymore.
I’m not cheap as much as I hate change and magically became far older than my thirty-four years would suggest.
He nods, pressing the device more securely into my hand. “Which is how Royce figured out someone had duplicated your entire setup and could monitor everything you were doing.” He softens his voice. “It’s how we think they figured out where the rental was.”
“I used a personal account for the email because I wanted to be able to pull up the access code without logging in.” I want to scream and cry becausewhen will it end?Will I ever stop looking over my shoulder? Even when this is done, will I ever be able to really live again?
It’s too much to dwell on right now, and Tom seems to realize that because he pulls me into a hug and presses a kiss to the top of my head.
“Royce made sure this one is secure.”
“Okay, but I don’t like it.”
“Your objection is noted.”
“I’m adding it to the list of things you need to make up for tomorrow night.”
“No complaints from me, Kitten.” The rumble of his voice mixes with the smooth sounds of the engine as he pulls out of the parking lot. “Just be careful what you wish for.”
No complaints here either.
43
KAT
My house doesn’t feel anything like it did when I left it. Instead, a tangled mix of emotions hits me the second we pull into the driveway. Tom is quick to get us into the garage and close the door, the only light coming from the dim bulb I’ve never changed the entire time I’ve lived here.
“Remember when we get inside, things between us are platonic. They swept the house earlier, and Jace has been doing surveillance since, but we can’t be too careful right now, okay?”
“Okay.”
Tom said earlier that he didn’t want to give my stalker any reason to think we’re involved—to try to get tomethrough him when the team already has a plan in place for the gala.
Fewer variables.
Fewer chances for surprises.
Or at least that’s the hope.
“Samson will be over here soon to relieve Jace and?—”
