Page 106 of Shatterproof

She hasno ideahow fucking true that shit is right now.

“Come on, Cowboy.” Her grin grows mischievous. “You know you wanna…”

“Fuck, I don’t know what’s more temptin’, Angel Cake. You in that dress or those carbs cryin’ out in my face.”

“Well, you can’t have me in my dress until later-”

“But you’re sayin’ Icanat some point?”

“Yes.”

“Andwill?”

“Still yes.”

“Jus’ not here and now in the middle of rush hour we could’ve avoided if you would’ve skipped makin’ me coffee and jus’ let me grab somethin’ from the kitchen at HQ?”

“I was trying to be sweet!”

“Angel Cake, you are naturally sweeter than the treat I named you after,” she’s tossed a sugary smirk, “and you don’t have to make me coffee every mornin’ to prove it.”

“Have a bite,” she sassily commands rather than asks this time. Once I do, she lowers the bread back to her own lips and confesses, “Ilikemaking you coffee, Slater. And smoothies. And cakes. And grabbing you a beer during the game. Ilikegetting to…do the little girlfriend things I’ve never really gotten to do before. I mean, yeah, I’ve done some of them as your friend – or reallymostof them – but it’s different doing them as your…more…than…friend. It just…I don’t know…feels…different…” Arley sinks her teeth into the cream cheese around the time I swallow the bite I had. “Did you bang my brains out?” She mumbles around the food in her mouth. “I swear I’m usually better with words than this.”

Loud and almost uncontrollable laughter escapes from us both and echoes around the cabin, overpowering the country music mix I’ve got going.

God, I’m so glad that going from friends to more is going so fucking easy.

So fucking easy that I owe myself a thorough ass kicking for not doing this shit sooner.

“Since we’re on the subject of us bangin’,” I segue the instant my composure is collected, “remember ourcover.” Accelerating onto the highway is attached to my statement. “You’ve been workin’ from home because of this relationship. Nothin’ else.”

“Got it.”

“It’s crucial that no matter what results we get from the op that that cover stays intact.”

“Got it.”

“Wecannothave anyone thinkin’ anything else until we know exactlywhoour inside man is.”

“Or woman.”

“Person,” is huffed in an attempt to prevent an argument from ensuing. “In fact, we need to spend this time drivin’ discussin’ key phrases you can and cannot say as well as key words you need to be aware of.”

Intrigue has her ignoring her vibrating phone and sitting up straight in her seat. “Are you saying I get to actuallyparticipatein this op?”

“I’m sayin’ you’re an important asset that we plan to put to use, Arley.” My tone increases in seriousness. “Now, listen up…”

Going over the two distinct lists and sharing bites of her breakfast dominates the remainder of our commute. We play up our “couple status” the moment we know security cameras are in sight and continue exaggerating our actions along the stroll in the building. My attention does its best to casually focus on those around us yet finds itself repeatedly stuck on watching my woman’s hips sway from side to side in the long, light pink dress I know she wore to get fucked in.

She told me that shit.

And thenhanded methe panties she wouldn’t be putting on to insure it.

I damn near called Blu right then to reschedule this mission.

I swear, if her life weren’t in danger I absolutely would’ve.

Intel gathering could’ve waited another few hours.

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