Page 48 of Too Much In Common
“That we want a private conversation.” Chris settled into an oversized chair and put his feet up on an ottoman. The seat was not big enough to call a sofa, yet large enough to hold two. “Tell me about your day.”
Tian tucked herself into his side. “Lunch was interesting.”
“With your dad?”
“Yes.” She gave him several details of the conversation. “I forgave him.”
Chris held her hand, tracing invisible patterns on her wrist. “How do you feel about the rest of his visit?”
“Peaceful. I thought it would take longer to shed the anger—maybe because I had all weekend to prepare. I kept thinking about you and your ex. Thank you for sharing.” She turned, settling her head into his shoulder and moving the hand he held to his chest.
A comfortable, warm silence encompassed them. Contented, Chris leaned his head on top of hers and watched out the window. A change in Tian’s breathing alerted him to her sleeping state. They’d barely known each other for two weeks, and she trusted him enough to fall asleep in his arms with no makeup. Chris supposed that most men wouldn’t find the combination attractive. To him, it signaled trust. A trust he never believed could happen after their first meeting. He’d dated his ex for months before he felt this comfortable with her. He closed his eyes and let his mind wander to the possibilities of a future.
14
“Excuse me. Excuse me.”The words should not be coming from the cockpit readout. “Excuse me.”
“Get lost.” Chris’s voice rumbled beneath Tian’s ear.
Tian’s pillow moved, and she blinked herself awake. Her pillow growled. It only took a second to realize that her pillow had a heartbeat and a name. Chris. They must have fallen asleep.
A man in a security guard uniform stood a few feet away. “Sorry to wake you, but you shouldn’t be sleeping here.”
Tian lifted her head, and Chris sat up. “We are awake. And we’ll leave.”
“Sorry, I am to escort you out. It is 1:00 a.m. and the atrium is closed for its nightly cleaning.”
Tian rose on shaky feet.
Chris was immediately beside her with a hand on her back. “Thanks, Nash. I’m sure we can find the door.”
They crossed the atrium ahead of the security guard. Once outside the door, Chris steered her to the elevator. The guard didn’t follow.
The black eye of the elevator’s security camera stared down at them. In her foggy mind, Tian realized they were once again being watched. She giggled.
“Tired much?”
She pointed to the camera. “I realized that Javier will probably hear about your four hours in the camera-free zone and assume.” Tian ran a hand through her unruly hair. “I think I am overtired.”
The elevator stopped at their floor. Chris took her hand and led her off. “That is one downside of Two Garden Tower. No making out in the stairwell.”
At her door, Tian rose on her toes and kissed him lightly. “One of these days. We’ll have to visit the atrium again.” She turned to the camera and blew a kiss, followed by a wave.
“Should I be jealous that they got a kiss, too?”
“I wanted them to know I knew they were there.”
Chris moved between her and the hallway camera. “Most likely they aren’t paying attention to this camera, anyway.”
“Then I can give you a better goodnight kiss.” Tian set her hands on his shoulders.
Chris grinned as he lowered his head to meet hers.
Conscious of the camera, Tian kept the kiss short and sweet. “Breakfast tomorrow?”
“Definitely.”
* * *
