Page 36 of Whistleblower

“I could forgive my initial shock, but it’s been weeks…I still see it when I close my eyes.” She clamps her lids shut like she’s testing the theory, then quickly opens them again. “A picture shook me. How do you sleep at night seeing that in person?”

Truthfully…it’s getting harder to. “I’ve seen it for over a decade, not much surprises me anymore.”

She inhales deeply then lets out a hurried sentence with her breath. “You were right. I was scared when I saw you that night. Had I known who you were, I would’ve bolted. I’m glad you lied.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Because we were able to have a conversation. Now…” She cocks her head to the side and her lips relax into a soft smile. “I’m not as intimidated to talk to you.”

Good. Relax. You’re safe with me. “I am sorry though. I’m a lot of things, but not usually a liar. And I promise I won’t lie to you again so…”

“So, what?” she asks in a whisper, her eyes still transfixed on mine.

“Be careful what you ask me.”

“Okay,” she says, her eyes dropping to my lips. I know she doesn’t see me noticing—Eden seems to be caught in a little daze, her eyes glazing over. It’s obvious what happens next when a woman looks at you like this…

I’m curious enough to test the waters.

I scoot forward again on the couch then reach out and touch her knee. She flinches before she stills and sucks in her lips.

“You owe me an odd compliment by the way. It’s still two to one.”

“That I do,” she says, her voice cracking.

“But nothing physical.” I pump my brows at her once.

She’s quiet, so I let my hand trail just an inch higher. The material of her pants is so thin, I can feel the warmth of her leg.

“I like that…” She clears her throat to no avail. Her words still come out raspy. “It’s just, you seem to feel bad about what you do.”

Her statement takes me off guard. “I didn’t say that.”

“I know,” she says. “But you have this…presence.” She borrows my word from the other night. “Like you don’t enjoy killing. It’s nice.”

I watch her big, brown eyes grow wide again, like she’s worried she overstepped, but I’m not offended. It’s just uncomfortable when someone stares right into your soul. “An odd compliment indeed. Now we’re even.”

“Not quite,” she says. “I owe you a lie too.”

I let out a breathy laugh as I stare at her plump lips. If only I could taste them. I move in a little closer, my hand inches up her thigh…I’m so fucking tempted.

“Okay. Lie to me.”

“I don’t think about you. I’d very much like you to remove your hand from my leg, and I most definitely don’t want you to kiss me.”

Her eyes are steady. She’s not smiling, but her lips are slightly parted as she breathes through her mouth. If there was ever a green light—this was it. I could kiss her right now. I could do more…right behind this office door. I would ruin her for every other man after me. But the dangerous thing is I don’t just want to fuck her…

I want to kiss her.

And not just as a means to an end…

I really want to kiss her.

Suddenly, I’m extremely uncomfortable. Every warning flag is waving. Every alarm is ringing in my mind. This feels very out of control and I don’t like it.

Using her leg as leverage, I rise. “I’m sorry. I should get back to work,” I force out, reluctantly. This is new. I need some time to get my bearings. I knew I was attracted to Eden. I didn’t know I wanted…

I don’t know. What is this? More?

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