Page 35 of Craving Danger

She’s not the brainless woman I took her for during the first two weeks we worked together.

No. This woman is anything but stupid.

She’s hardworking, intelligent, and so fucking brave it demands my admiration.

Clearing my throat, I ask, “How are you doing?”

Her thumb brushes over mine, then a stunningly happy smile lights up her face. “Surprisingly good.” Her eyes fill with a mischievous expression. “It seems my mystery man has the magic touch.”

Mystery man.

Right. She doesn’t know who I am.

Taking a deep breath, I tighten my hold on her hand. Before silence can fall between us, I ask, “How long have you lived in New York?”

I know the answer, but her mystery man doesn’t.

“A year. I used to live in Texas.”

“Is that where your family is?”

She shakes her head. “No, they’re in Seattle. I try to visit them as often as I can. I’ll see them for the Fourth of July.”

So that’s where she’s going for the couple of days' vacation she requested.

“Have you always lived in New York?” she asks.

“Yes.”

“And your mom?”

I shake my head. “She passed away last year.”

“I’m sorry,” Samantha whispers.

“It’s okay. She was eighty-one when she passed, and she had a full life.”

Her eyebrows fly up, then she asks, “How old are you?”

“Thirty-five. I was a rainbow baby. Just as they gave up on having a child, I came along.”

“Aww…they must’ve loved you so much.” Hearing the warmth in her tone makes a smile tug at the corner of my mouth.

“They did.” I let out a chuckle. “I was lucky.”

“Do you have any other family in New York?”

Nodding, the Cosa Nostra flits through my mind. “Yeah, I have a large family.”

I’m surprised when Samantha leans her head against my shoulder. She lets out a contented sigh, then whispers, “This feels good.”

I turn my face to her and wish I could rip the balaclava off so I can smell her vanilla scent.

“You know what would be funny,” she murmurs.

“What?”

“If we became friends.”

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