Page 50 of Command and Control: GHOST Operative

He shrugs, like it's no big deal.

But it is a big deal. I know exactly how much a heated driveway costs. My ex looked into it at one point and decided he had two sons he could make shovel it for free. And our driveway was only a quarter the length of Vincent's.

I twist in my seat, turning back to look at the house. It's illuminated by upward facing lights positioned around the perimeter, making it breathtakingly beautiful in the dark. The location is prime, offering amazing views while still being decently close to the city. Everything about it is high-end and luxurious, from the wall-to-wall windows to the automated curtains.

And now I feel stupid because I freaking thought Vincent lived at GHOST’s headquarters. Not once did I ever consider how much a man who owns a company like his would make. Not once did I really consider he was more than his job. More than the man I saw staring back at me with a scowl.

I face forward, wrapping my brain around everythingI've discovered about Vincent over the past few days. Some things are exactly as I expected. He's every bit as attractive as I knew he would be. Smells just as good. He's successful. Driven. Focused.

Grouchy.

But he’s so much more than that. He plays the piano because it reminds him of the mother he clearly loved. He has a bathroom with two sinks even though only one ever gets used. And he only sleeps on one side of his king-sized bed.

Because Vincent is many things, and one of them is lonely.

Yet, no one's been to his house. No one’s slept in his bed or used that spare sink. He's never made anyone breakfast or introduced them to Radar and Vera.

He’s lonely by choice, but I don't understand why.

"Have you ever been married?" It's the most logical conclusion. I know firsthand what a bad marriage can do to a person. The way it changes them. I think mine changed me for the better, but I know that's not always how it goes.

"No, Jules. I've never been married."

I press my lips together, trying not to ask another question, but I can't help it. "Engaged?"

Vincent shakes his head. "No."

I clench my teeth and flatten my lips, doing my best to keep them sealed together even though I know I'm going to fail.

Sucking in a breath, I open my mouth, but he cuts me off.

"No relationshipsof any kind. Not ever."

I'm shocked. Both that he volunteered the information, and that he’s never had someone. "Why not?"

His jaw clenches, flexing hard. "Because."

"Because, why?"

His eyes come my way, meeting over the console. "Because I didn't want one."

"Oh." His answer deflates me. I’m not sure what I thought was happening between us—I don't know that I really considered it—but I realize now I thought it wassomething. Something more than just the physical attraction we clearly share.

And maybe it is. I can allow myself to fall back into those old, insecure ways once forced upon me, or I can look at this objectively, which is what I'm best at.

Objectively speaking, I’m the first woman, besides his housekeeper, who's ever been in Vincent's house. I’m the first woman to sleep in his bed. The first woman to meet his cat.

He also killed three men for me. Whisked me away from danger even though it's turning his life upside down. Those aren’t the actions of a man who just wants to get his dick wet.

I reach across the console and lace my fingers through his, just to see what will happen. To test my theory that Vincent sees me as more.

Vincent's eyes snap down to the point of contact, holding a second before his long fingers curve around mine, confirming my suspicions and smoothing my ruffled feathers.

Just because he’s never had a relationship before doesn’t mean he wouldn’t want one now. And as crazy as itsounds, the thought of staying at his side feels right. Like that’s exactly where I should be.

His thumb tracks a slow pass across my skin as we drive, making our way down from the mountain he lives on. It's close enough to Fairbanks that it's not a treacherous commute, but far enough away that it's not a quick trip, giving me plenty of time to prepare for what I'm about to face. And I'm pretty sure it's going to be a shit show, because I have to assume no one there is expecting me.

Vincent stays quiet the rest of the drive, but I can see the tension building in his body. The tightness bunching across his shoulders.

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