Page 15 of The Shadow

Did he have a gun on him the night he came here?

“And that’s a good thing why?”

“It’s not. But it did show me he’s dumber than I thought and he’s an arrogant piece of shit who thinks he’s above the law.”

“I could have told you that.” I regret it as soon as it passes my lips.

“Told me what exactly?”

“Just that he’s an arrogant piece of shit.” I use his words and it makes him laugh, a barely audible sigh at the end of it when his eyes drop down to my lips. They linger, long enough that I get the feeling he wants me to notice. A spark ignites in my belly like the beginnings of a crush, when the banter is laced with flirty innuendos.

“That being said, if he had his lawyer read that contract he signed, he knows that the only way we will break it is if he can provide proof that all threats have been mitigated which he won’t be able to do. So he’s stuck with my firm, following his every move like a shadow until his divorce is final.”

“What if he makes my life hell or threatens to fire me or something?”

I want this to work, more than anything, but I’m terrified that him showing up as my boyfriend will only make things worse for me in the long run. Because when this assignment is done, Harvey will take on another case, move on with his life, but I’ll still be stuck working for Connor Blake.

“Hey.” His fingers graze my face as he brushes a few strands of hair that have escaped my braid. “I promise you that he won’t. He might try but you’ll tell me, won’t you?” This time he cups my face, tilting his head down so he’s eye to eye with me.

“Yes.”

“Good. Now as much as I know this next part will sound impossible for you, I’m going to need you to trust me through this. A man like him likes to put it all out there, so when he realizes that you’re mine, I can guarantee that he’s going to double down on wanting me around to protect him because he’s going to want to take you from me.”

The spark is now a roaring fire, a heat burning from within that feels like it’s going to consume me. I’m not his and this isn’t real, but hearing those words from his lips while he looks at me with that possessive glower in his eye has my body pushing all thoughts of reality from my head.

His thumb rakes along my face and my jaw relaxes, my lips parting as my pulse quickens. His hair is down, waves of black curls so close I want to reach out and run my fingers through it. My mind flashes to an image of me in his lap, my hands in his hair, his tongue in my mouth.

Close your mouth.

I hear my teeth snap together.

Get it together.

“But I won’t let that happen. He’s going to understand loud and clear that you are not an option for him and never will be again.”

“What about when you’re with him at night or at his house? He knows where I live.” His brow furrows and I realize how ridiculous I must sound about a guy who isn’t getting the hint from a one-night stand. “I mean, I know that’s crazy. He wouldn’t do anything…” I can’t bring myself to say the lie.

“He doesn’t know where I live. On the nights I’m on duty, you sleep at my place. It’s under surveillance from the outside and has a security system better than Fort Knox.”

“Okay.” I nod, not sure what else to say. “I feel awkward, agreeing to sleep in a man’s bed I only know as a friendly acquaintance.” I offer a halfhearted smile, not wanting to protest his offer because the reality of sleeping alone without him down the hall terrifies me.

“Damn.” The left corner of his lips curl into a smirk. It’s the first time I’ve seen that look, even in the times we’ve hung out at different friends’ houses. It feels like the real him, if he let his guard slip. “I gotta be the only guy alive trying this hard to be in the friend zone.”

That makes me laugh and it feels good. The conversations between us have really only been tense and after the threats from Connor earlier this week, it’s nice to feel something other than stress.

“Nooo.” I reach my hand out and playfully grab his t-shirt. “I’m kidding.” Our eyes lock and in that second, I realize I’m clutching his shirt and our lips have gotten closer.

What is happening?

I blink a few times, reminding myself that the last time I got caught up in someone flirting with me, I ended up in this mess I’m in. “Sorry,” I apologize, releasing his shirt from my grip and sitting farther back on the stool until I bump his hand which makes me jump.

“Sorry,” I say again, feeling awkward and embarrassed.

“No need to apologize. I’m happy to be your friend, Aspen. I’m just sorry I never took the effort sooner to get to know you better over the years.”

“Thanks and sorry I didn’t make more of an effort either. You’re a little intimidating.”

“Yeah, you mentioned that.” He stands up. “Good.” He winks, then runs his hand through his hair. “Maybe it will tempt you to behave and follow my orders when need be.”

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