Page 13 of Bounty Hunter's Match

“I know.”

Neither of us moved.

“Your little lecture said something about this,” she said softly. “About careful positioning and protective instincts.”

“You read it?”

“Research.” Her laugh was shaky. “Very professional.”

I turned her slowly to face me, keeping her steady as supplies drifted around us. “This isn’t professional.”

“No.” Her hands came up to my chest, fingers tracing the edge of my vest where that damn pamphlet was still hidden. “It’s not.”

I lowered my head, breathing in her scent. Her pulse jumped as I brushed my lips against her temple, then her cheek. Just a taste. Just one moment of giving in to this pull between us.

A crash from the main room jolted us apart.

“The Mondians are floating!” Rina’s voice carried through the walls. “Quick, get the anti-grav stabilizers!”

“This is not what I signed up for,” I growled, grabbing the controls.

But I noticed Camden’s smile as she slipped past me. And later, when I found a new pamphlet on my desk - “Non-Verbal Cues: A Comprehensive Guide” - I definitely didn’t read it.

Much.

CAMDEN

The scent of Barek’s skin drifted across my desk as he leaned over my shoulder to study the client profiles on my screens. His presence stirred the air, brushed against my awareness. I kept my breathing steady, professional.

Almost.

“This one’s lying.” Barek tapped the screen, his claw-tipped finger precise against the holographic display. “Body language in the interview footage doesn’t match his stated intentions.”

I pulled up the file. “Dren Voss? He’s a respected merchant-”

“Who keeps touching his neck markings when discussing past relationships. Sign of deception in most scaled species.” Barek’s breath stirred my hair. “Check his trading records.”

Data scrolled across the screen as MIRA accessed public databases. Multiple shell companies, hidden accounts, a pattern of short-term relationships ending in mysterious accidents...

“Huh.” I flagged the profile for rejection. “That’s... actually impressive. How did you-”

“Tracked him two years ago. Suspected involvement in identity theft schemes targeting lonely marks.” His hand brushed my shoulder as he straightened. “Romance is often used as a weapon.”

“Or a shield.” I spun my chair to face him. “People lie because they’re afraid of being hurt, not just to hurt others.”

“Fear leads to vulnerability. Vulnerability leads to exploitation.”

“Says the man who keeps stealing my dating guides.”

His ears twitched. “Research materials.”

“Of course.” I bit back a smile. “Very logical approach.”

“Romance isn’t logical.”

“No?” I pulled up another profile. “What about compatibility algorithms? Behavioral analysis? Statistical probability of-”

“Numbers can’t predict chemistry.”

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