Page 17 of Delta: Retribution

“Sounds vague. Is everything you do for Delta or Titan, whoever, is it all—”

“That was a personal project.”

“Oh,” she said.

“When we’re off the job, I have something I’ve been working on for a few weeks now.”

“What is it?”

He didn’t answer but just changed lanes needlessly. “You hungry? I’m going to grab a burger from a drive-thru.”

Sore subject. That was interesting, because she thought nothing fazed him. “Burger’s good. Thanks.”

They went through the drive-thru and left with bags of food, eating quietly as he drove. He took an exit and followed her directions to her house. Then they were home, the end of the road for her time with him.

She looked at the condo duplex while they sat in her driveway. Everything felt tense. It wasn’t sexual tension, but more like she’d said something that went too deep. “Thanks again.”

Trace nodded, and a car zoomed down her street. She flinched. It was just someone racing down the block.So stupid. Her lungs had almost jumped out of her chest for no reason. God, she was a jittery moron. It was embarrassing. She couldn’t go around hopping in the air every time a car made a noise or a door slammed.

“Marlena?”

Her eyes shot to him. She knew he could see right through her. Weak. Still, she painted on her smile. “Yes?”

“I’ll call you later, make sure you’re doing okay.”

“You don’t have my number.”

“Not sure why that would stop me from calling you.”

“It’s new and unlisted.”

His face tightened as though he were running through the possibilities as to why. “That’s interesting. Call you later.”

Marlena opened the door and got out. Why did she constantly offer information that wasn’t needed? For the same reason she’d run from him: she couldn’t control herself around him, and that was scary. From then on, every interaction with him would be mapped out. Except they had no plans. She’d been a one-night stand he happened to rescue, and his offer to call was an easy way out of an uncomfortable drive home. Still, it couldn’t hurt to hope she was wrong.

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