Page 51 of Burn Protocol

“Shit,” she murmurs, and is on her feet before I can stop her or ask what is going on. She rushes toward the counter and snatches her phone up, unlocking it as she goes.

“Helen, hi.”

Her voice sounds high and strangely strangled. I raise an eyebrow and rise. Her eyes widen and she turns away from me ever so slightly.

“Yes… no, of course. Very well, thank you. Yes.”

She is almost panting. What in the world has her this nervous? I step closer, silently, stealthily, until my warm breath is ghosting against the back of her neck. I see the goosebumps erupt all over her skin, and I put my hands on her hips, pulling her closer. I smile when she actually rests her back against my chest.

“I still have to do that… No, it’s not exactly something we can schedule, Helen.”

I kiss the top of her head and smile against it. Some of the tension flows out of her body and I smile even more. Good girl.

“I’ll get it to you by next week. No, I cannot do this Friday. Next week or not at all, Helen.”

Maya turns sideways now, her free hand stroking my chest before grasping the fabric of my shirt. Her eyes dark with annoyance.

“No, Helen. Yes. Yes, of course I do, you know… yes. Yes. Fine. Friday.”

Without another word she ends the call and lets out a frustrated groan. For a moment it looks as if she is going to throw it, but she slams it down on the counter instead.

“Goddamn it,” she curses, and her eyes immediately dart to mine.

Before she can apologize, I am already grinning at her.

She should know by now that it doesn’t bother me. Far crasser things are said at the station, and she has heard it all. But her lips do not pull up for a grin. Not even one of those sheepish smiles I’ve come to adore so much.

“What’s wrong?” My voice drops and I wrap my arms tighter around her, every nerve suddenly on edge.

“That was my boss.”

“Oh?” I don’t press, I know she will tell me.

“She wants to know when I have my third interview ready.”

Just like that, it feels like the world disappears from under me. With the third interview, we are getting closer to the end. And even though I’ve been reluctant to start this, I can no longer imagine being at the station without her. I feel my jaw tick and she instantly stiffens in my arms.

“Elena… I…”

“Shhh,” I whisper, pulling her closer against me.

I know neither of us wanted to think about it. For two days we got to live blissfully in our bubble. But it was stupid not to think the outside world would come knocking. We should have paused and thought about our responsibilities. Our jobs. Fuck… What now? I press another kiss on her crown and squeeze my eyes shut.

“We’ll do the interview first thing tomorrow,” I push out, my voice gruff.

“But I’m not prepared.”

I glance at the clock. Two in the afternoon.

“Best get ready then, Carter. Do you want me to grab you a notepad?”

She stares at me. Her hands ball into fists against my chest. For a moment I think she’ll protest, but then she just shakes her head. Her face darkens with sadness.

“I need to have access to my computer.” She pauses. “I guess… I guess I should probably leave then.”

My eyes search her face. Her jaw is tight and she refuses to look at me, eyes brimming slightly. Her nostrils flaring and her cheeks flushed.

“Look at me,” I say steadily, and she finally does.