“Because you’re a guy?” I ask skeptically.
“Something like that.”
We get to the next building I need to clear, and I scan my phone, so the door will open. Once we’re inside, I turn on a few lights and make my way through the hallway, checking classrooms as we go. When we get to the third classroom, I hear something. I pause, unsure what it is. I step into the room, and Slater steps in with me. I hear a sound again, and I go still. Slater drops a hand on my shoulder and pulls me back, stepping in front of me. I sigh and pull on his arm. “This is my job, remember,” I whisper loudly. The sound stops, and we both freeze. Once the sound starts again, I move forward again. The sound gets louder, and I fight my fear. “What do you think it is?” I whisper to him.
“I don’t think you want to know.” He starts to walk past me.
I grab his arm, stopping. “Wait. Don't go over there.”
He shakes me off. “I’ve got it. You might want to step out, though.”
“Why? What is it?” My voice gets higher with every word. I am aware that I am the one on security here, but my mind is whirling with terrifying possibilities. I suddenly remember my flashlight. I grab it and flick it on, nearly blinding myself. I catch sight of the dark little thing running across the floor, and I scream. Then it runs straight towards us, and I scream again. I nearly run over Slater in my rush to get out of its way. I push him out of my way and jump onto the nearest thing I can find, which happens to be a desk. My heart is thundering so loudly in my chest, I can barely hear Slater. “Is it gone?” I ask in a panicky voice. I hear a sound and go still. It takes me a second. “Wait. Are you...are you laughing at me?” I shine my flashlight around the room until I find him. He puts his hands up in denial, but he has a huge grin on his face. “That was not funny.”
When he speaks, he’s much closer. “Are you going to get down? Or should we call in backup?” I can hear the humor in his voice, and I shine my light right in his face for a second. He blinks and looks away. “Very funny.”
“Come on. Let’s get you down. It’s gone.” His voice is much gentler this time, but I can still hear the humor lacing his voice.
“Are you sure it’s gone?” I can’t help but ask.
“Yeah. It’s long gone.”
I use my flashlight to scan all around the room. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, but you can ride my back if you want and I’ll carry you out.”
I scoff. “I’m not doing that.” I lean forward and take a deep breath. I move like I’m going to jump off, but his hands suddenly land at my waist.
“I’ve got you,” he says in a low voice and lowers me to the ground. When I’m on the ground, I stare up at him. I can’t really see him in the dark, but I can feel him. He's so close. I take adeep breath and take a step back. “I need to scan my phone, and then we are getting out of this terrifying building.”
“Come on.” He takes my hand in his, and I’m still too terrified to fight against him. I lead him through the building and scan my phone.
“Okay. Let’s get out of here.” I practically pull him with me down the long hallway and out the front door. I make sure the door is locked behind me, and then I pull my hand from his and whirl around. “Nobody ever hears about what happened in there.”
“You mean when the tiny mouse scared the tough security guard?”
“Slater Thorne,” I reprimand. “Not. A. Word.”
“But I have video footage,” he argues.
I stop walking. “You do not. Do you?”
“Maybe.” He holds his phone out in front of me. I wait a second and then launch forward, trying to snatch it from his hand. He’s too quick for me and lifts it high above his head, where I can’t reach it.
“I am not above climbing you like a monkey to get it,” I tell him.
“I’m not opposed to that,” he says in a low voice. I scowl up at him. I can only see shadows on his face because of the way the streetlamps are positioned. But I’m pretty sure he’s smirking at me. That smirk is dangerous and ridiculously sexy. I take a deep breath and pull back.
“If that video that maybe does or does not exist ever sees the light of day, then you will be dead to me Slater Thorne,” I tell him as I stride past him.
I hear his low, sexy chuckle follow me; and I increase my pace. “If you’re trying to outpace me, it won’t work,” he says as he joins me once again. I slow my pace, mostly so that I don’t run out of steam before the end of my shift. It’s quiet between us forjust a few minutes before I let the whole stupid mouse thing drop and move on. “What’s your major, Hotshot? I know you told me, but I can’t remember.”
I catch him shaking his head out of the corner of my eye, and it makes me grin. “Security management with an emphasis on IT.”
I look up at him. “Oh, yeah.”
He nods and glances down at me. “Why the look?”
“It just surprises me. I figured you’d get a degree in sports something or other.”
