Page 59 of Shadowed Hearts: Frost
The question cuts too close to the truth. Because it wasn't protocols that stopped me yesterday - it was pure self-preservation. The knowledge that if I'd crossed that line when she was on her knees, I wouldn't have been able to stop with just a kiss this time. Not like before.
"That was different. A momentary lapse."
"Momentary?" Her eyebrow arches. "So what would you call having me on my knees calling you sir? Another lapse?"
"It's what should have stopped me sooner."
Something flickers across her face. Hurt, maybe. Or disappointment.
"So we're pretending it didn't happen?"
"We're focusing on the investigation."
She nods slowly, but I catch the way her fingers tap against the counter. A nervous tell she probably doesn't realize she has.
My secure phone buzzes against the marble countertop just after midnight, displaying Xander's contact. I welcome the interruption.
"Frost." I answer, setting the call to speaker.
"Evening, sunshine. Or would it be good morning?" Xander's face appears on my phone screen, and his eyes immediately find Vanessa in the frame. Something shifts in his expression , an appreciation that makes my jaw clench. "Well, hello there, gorgeous."
The endearment sends a cold spike through my chest. I shift to block more of Vanessa from view, my body moving on pure instinct.
"Status report."
"Right, business first." Xander's grin doesn't fade completely. "Vertex Models surveillance is active. Their security is professional-grade, but we've got eyes on all entrances."
"Send me the full breakdown."
Vanessa scoots closer, her shoulder brushing my arm. The contact shouldn't feel significant, but my body disagrees, every nerve ending suddenly attentive to her proximity.
"What about digital surveillance?" she asks, and I hear the excitement creeping into her voice. "Any weakness in their network security?"
"Smart question." Xander's appreciative tone makes something dark and possessive unfurl in my chest. "Cole's running cyber reconnaissance, but we could use your expertise on the encryption analysis."
"Cole? As in Cole Tanaka?" Vanessa perks up, recognition clear in her voice.
I turn to her sharply. "You know Blade?"
"He sent me a job offer. About three weeks ago." She shrugs like it's nothing. "Some kind of security consulting position."
The information catches me off guard. Cole never mentioned recruiting Vanessa. Judging by Xander's equally surprised expression, he wasn't aware either.
"All intel comes through me first." The words come out sharper than intended, cutting through her excited rambling.
Both Vanessa and Xander pause, something shifting in the air.
"Oh." Xander's eyebrows rise slightly, and there's a knowing look in his eyes that I don't like. "Of course. Wouldn't want to compromise operational security."
"I can definitely help with the encryption work," Vanessa continues, either missing the undercurrent or choosing to ignore it. "If we're dealing with government-level security—"
"You'll work from here." I cut her off. "Secure location only."
She turns to stare at me, challenge sparking in her dark eyes. "I'm not asking to go anywhere, Asher. I'm talking about real-time data access."
"Your safety is my priority."
"My safety?" Her voice rises slightly. "I'm talking about monitoring their systems remotely from your kitchen. How is that a safety issue?"
