Page 29 of Rhys

“No.” Vanessa took the bite into her mouth. Chewing it thoroughly, she waited to speak again until she’d swallowed it down. “I don’t blame you. Honestly, I’m just glad you finally know the truth.”

The other was a little more difficult to broach. At best, it was awkward. For Rhys, it was fucking infuriating.

“Grey also found the pictures.” He went ahead and just put it out there. “Of me and you.”

“He did?” This seemed to surprise her. “Were they…I mean, did you—”

“They were just like you said.” Obviously taken without either of them being the wiser. “Looks like they were taken from far away, most likely a long-distance lens.”

Becoming quiet for a moment, Vanessa slid her gaze down to his laptop and back up to him. “I want to see them.”

“I don’t think that’s a—”

“I have a right to see them, Rhys.”

She’s right.

Without a word, he spun the computer around and pulled open the screen for her to see. Having already seen the images, he watched closely to see her reaction.

Vanessa blinked, her eyes widening as she took in the very first picture. But with each new click, her bewitching gaze became darker. Her cheeks flushing with an adorable blush.

Rhys’s zipper began to tighten as his cock began to swell. Not so much from the images now forever locked inside his mind, but from the woman sitting across from him.

It probably made him a total dick, but now that he knew she hadn’t simply used him to help solidify her cover—now that he understood why she left the way she had—all the anger and resentment he’d been harboring the last two years all but vanished.

Now he just had to figure out where they’d go from here.

Job first and then the personal stuff.

His subconscious, the smarmy bastard, was right. Vanessa had nearly died trying to relay information to him about Kenneth Austin’s involvement with something nefarious. That’s where his focus needed to be. Once they took care of that, however…

She’s going to be mine.

Vanessa cleared her throat and closed the computer. “At least you know I was being honest about why I left.”

“I do.” He swallowed his pride and said what she deserved to hear. “I’m sorry I was such an asshole.”

“Yeah, you were.” A wide, genuine smile lit up her face. “But I don’t blame you. You were reacting based off what you knew. If the situation were reversed, I’m sure I would’ve felt the same way.” A few seconds passed before she asked, “So. Are we good?”

Staring deep into her eyes, he nodded. “Yeah, Ness. We’re good.” He glanced at his watch. “We’re also going to be late if we don’t leave right now.”

“I’m ready when you are.”

The words were casual enough, but as Rhys gathered his things to prepare to leave, he couldn’t help but wonder if she’d intended for them to mean something more.

Together, the two started to walk out the door, but when they got to the front stoop, he stopped her.

“Here.” Rhys handed her the Glock 19 he’d found in her weapons bag.

Vanessa eyed the pistol before taking it from his hand. When she did, their fingers brushed together, sending a rush of longing straight to his core.

The soft intake of air told him she also felt the powerful surge.

Checking the mag and chamber like a pro, she slid the weapon into her back waistband and smiled up at him. “Does this mean you finally trust me?”

Not quite ready to let her off the hook completely, Rhys offered her a smirk and a vague, “I’m working on it.”

7

---