Page 24 of Deadly Hacker

“Thank you. That’s very thoughtful,” she said, gently stroking the pastel-hued plant. It was smooth and plump to the touch.

“This is for you, too,” Rad said, handing her the icy green drink.

Emma Jean glanced at the label, then back to him with awe. “Iced matcha latte half-sweetened with two pumps of toasted coconut syrup. How in the world did you guess my exact cafe order? You must be psychic. Or a stalker.”

Rad coolly replied, “You’re holding one of these in your profile picture on social media. All I had to do was zoom in a little to read your order on the drink label.”

“I would call that stalking-lite,” Emma Jean said, blushing. “And no straw?”

“I’d be willing to bet every dollar in my bank account that there’s a reusable glass straw in your mini fridge over there,” he said.

“Damn. You’re good,” she admitted.

“I’d better get going before your next class in five minutes,” he said.

Emma Jean frowned. “How… how do you know my schedule?”

Rad chuckled. “It’s printed on your door. Anyone could know your schedule.”

“You have a photographic memory or something?” she said playfully.

“Almost. It was very useful to me in my Harvard days,” he answered.

“Harvard? Really?” Emma Jean gasped. “You’re full of surprises.”

“Trust me, Emma Jean. You don’t know the half of it,” Rad told her, his voice a low, soft growl. The rasp of his voice sent a delicious shiver down her spine.

“But we can unravel the mystery a little further at dinner and dessert tonight,” he suggested.

Emma Jean was so surprised, she could only blurt out, “No!”

Rad was unfazed. He simply smiled and replied, “Okay. I can wait. I’m a patient man.”

He turned to leave. As soon as those brown eyes looked away, Emma Jean found herself aching for their warmth again. She regretted her impulsive answer. As much as she wanted to be strong and resist him, it was no use. Her heart, her body, and her brain were all on the same page: they wanted to stay close to him. Emma Jean wanted to know more.

“Wait!” she called out, rushing after him. She put a hand on his muscular arm, and he looked at her with such intensity that she almost forgot how to speak. Then, she murmured, “I’ll go.”

Rad’s brilliant movie-star smile showered her in light again. He nodded.

“I’ll pick you up at seven. Wear something comfortable,” he advised.

Emma Jean blushed and gestured to her yoga outfit. “Good, because everything I own is comfortable anyway,” she confessed.

He gave her one last wink as he disappeared down the hallway, leaving Emma Jean to gaze dreamily after him. For the rest of the day, it was her main struggle to forget about him, to engulf herself in yoga and meditation, to focus on anything other than the strength of Rad’s body and his intoxicating scent.

She couldn’t understand what about him had her so flustered. After all, she was usually immune to the charms of flashy smooth-talkers. But there was something about Rad that made her question everything. In fact, she had more questions every time she saw him.

Maybe tonight she could finally get some answers.

CHAPTER11

RAD

The black sportscar purred to a stop in Emma Jean’s driveway. Rad smiled as he stepped out, looking up at her adorable townhouse. It was beautifully maintained with thoughtful touches throughout the yard. Rad’s heart thumped a little faster when he noticed the moonstone plant he’d gifted her displayed on her porch among the other little succulents and sprouts she tended. Showering her with gifts and attention would never get old.

He’d made sure to text Emma Jean earlier that day for her address so that she wouldn’t know how easily he had tracked it down already. Eventually, he would have to give her the full truth, but for now, he didn’t want to scare her away.

He strutted up the driveway toward her front door, intending to ring the doorbell. Dressed in fitted jeans and a button-up shirt that clung to his muscles, Rad knew he looked good. But he was hardly prepared for how gorgeousshelooked.

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