“Goahead.”
She answered. “Hey, did you get mymessage?”
As she listened, her shoulders sagged. “Oh, okay. I understand.” More silence. “When will you be back intown?”
She turned toward Crockett. “I’m with him now. Hold on.” She held out herphone.
“Hey, man,” Crockett said. “How’s the rolloutgoing?”
“A few snags, but overall, great,” said Colton. “You two joined at thehip?”
Crockett flipped his gaze to Alex. “Alexandra wants to do a story on WildeInnovations.”
“She’s got an uphill battle. You don’t grantinterviews.”
“No, I don’t. What’s goin’on?”
“I need a favor,” Colton said. “I understand Alexandra can’t move back into her house. Brigit and I are redesigning the guesthouse at the mansion. It’s a gutted mess. Could you put herup?”
“What aboutKimberly?”
“That won’t work. She doesn’t want Alexandra to know how sick sheis.”
“No worries. I’ve gotthis.”
“Thanks. We’ll be home in a fewdays.”
The call ended. Crockett stood transfixed. Even in her anxious state, Alexandra’s beauty captured hisheart.
She rubbed the back of her neck with slow, deep strokes. Heat infused his chest. He imagined those long fingers raking down his back while he was rooted deep inside her. He blinked away the fantasy to focus onherneeds.
He hated that she was stressing over where to live, especially when he had plenty of room. But moving in with him spelled trouble and complications. How was he supposed to keep a safe distance if she lived under his roof and paraded around in his shorts? Having her there would be pure temptation. Even he only had so muchwillpower.
And what about his feelings? He couldn’t risk getting emotionally attached, only to lose her again. Hadn’t he learned his lesson the first timearound?
His buzzing phone interrupted his angst. “All set,” textedDecker.
“Let’s head to mylab.”
As Alexandra drew close, he wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss her until they both succumbed to the need. Instead, they walked side-by-side toward his lab. He heaved open the heavy glass door and she crossed thethreshold.
Six of the seven workstations were cloaked with blackcloths.
“Welcome to Wilde lab,” saidDecker.
“Thanks for prepping the room,” Crockettsaid.
“Time for a combo caffeine-sugar hit from Mimi’s. I’ll grab you two something.” Decker left themalone.
She surveyed the spacious room. “Why bring me here if I can’t see anything?” Then, the V between her brows disappeared and she hitched her hands on her hips. “Why don’t you show me what’s lurking beneath thesheets?”
His body tensed while the air grew thick with anticipation. She was tempting fate with that question. He palmed the small of her back and guided her toward the table where the Spy Flies waited. Her body heat seeped through her silky blouse and his needsurged.
“The primary scope of our projects is top secret surveillance for military and law enforcement,” Crockettexplained.
“Iunderstand.”
“You confided in me and I want to help you,” he said, stopping beside the uncoveredtable.
