Longer.
Deeper.
Her fingers curled into the fabric at his sides as if he might vanish if she let go.
When they broke apart, she forced air into her lungs. “You crossed a line.”
His eyes were dark, unreadable. “You crossed it too.”
She had.
And she didn’t understand why.
She prided herself on control. On professional distance. On never letting anyone blur the edges of her focus.
But she hadn’t stopped him.
She stepped back first, smoothing her hair with fingers that trembled only slightly. “We should join the others.”
She took a hesitant step, thinking it wasn’t a good idea to show up with Ash. But he fell into step with her, and she had no choice but to enter the kitchen with him. The smell of baked cheese enveloped her senses, but it didn’t drive out the scent of Ash lingering in her head.
A pizza topped with green peppers, onions and bacon sat in the middle of the big island. As she looked on, two of the guys reached in and snagged slices for themselves.
As if nothing at all happened between them, Ash sauntered to the fridge and grabbed a couple bottled waters.
Opal suddenly appeared at her side. “Just in time. Sinner and I could use a hand making the pizzas. Come on.”
She was grateful for the distraction from the man who’d just kissed her senseless. But as soon as she stepped onto the patio with Opal, Ash followed.
He passed her a bottle of water, and she took it without meeting his stare. “Thanks.”
He watched her while Opal showed her how to add the right amount of sauce and cheese and Sinner informed her that the ratio of sauce to crust was crucial.
Ash hovered nearby at all times, standing too close when she used the peel to pull a fresh pizza from the oven.
She asked Opal if the team lived solely off pizza. Opal just laughed and told her this was how they celebrated after a mission.
Sinner and Opal carried the pizzas inside, with Ellory and Ash pitching in. As soon as the pies hit the granite countertop, the team descended on them like a pack of wolves.
May ducked under one guy’s arm, shooting Ellory a grin. “Better grab some while you can.” She plucked up a slice of pepperoni and retreated.
When Ellory reached for a slice, her elbow brushed against someone. She knew without looking that Ash was hovering over her again, as if he’d appointed himself her personal bodyguard.
She shifted away, smiling at something May said while trying to pretend that her pulse wasn’t racing.
Conversation between the team at mealtime was easy and didn’t touch on the debriefing or the footage. Nobody questioned her for more information about how the shooter had known her either, and she began to feel some of the tension flow out of her.
At least until Ash’s elbow bumped against hers. Her body reacted before her brain could issue a warning. Heat skittering down her spine.
She already learned that he didn’t smell like body odor.
And she absolutely wouldnotbe investigating whether or not he had a hairy ass.
Someone brought up casino night, and he stood so close to her that she felt him go still.
“Everyone to the basement. Casino’s open!” Kennedy called, and a bunch of people exited the kitchen, talking and laughing as they thumped downstairs until their voices faded.
Con remained, offering Ellory a light smile as he filled a paper plate with pizza. “You joining us?”
