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“No. It was a game, for all three of us, seeing how far we could get. There’s a challenge getting in somewhere you aren’t supposed to be.”
Sky smiled. In that sense they were very similar. “Tell me more.”
He considered her for a long moment as if trying to make up his mind whether to confide or not. “It’s these complex security systems. Some guy’s been paid hundreds of thousands to make sure no-one can hack it, and if you can do it… its too tempting to try, you know. If you can, you’re giving them the finger, showing them they’re not everything they think they are.”
“Yeah, that would be tempting.”
“It was a buzz. But the people we met...some of them want to do it for different reasons, they want to make money, harvesting email addresses for scams, that kind of thing. Once we knew what was going on we wanted out of, but it’s difficult to extract yourself.And when someone offers you cash and you haven’t got money for food or a place to live…” He ruffled his hand through his hair. “We never should have done it. Bad decision.”
“You mentioned police.”
“Yeah, they tracked us down. Cyber crime division. They hauled me in. Luckily I didn’t have my kit on me. Sadly Sean did. Staring at four walls in a cell for a night woke me up. I already had the job with George. I was done with hacking.”
“Is George your boss?”
“Yes, he owns the place where I work.”
Sky nodded. She was glad he’d confided in her. Her curiosity hadn’t been such a bad thing after all.
“Trouble is,” he continued, “the people I used to hang out with think they still need me.”
“So you’re trying to shake them off?”
“It’s not easy, but until I do, I’m not out of the woods.”
“You don’t want to just give them the kit and have done with it?”
“No. It’d never end if I chose that option. Besides, it’s not really going straight is it, leaving the software out there?”
Curious, Sky looked at the USB sitting there, so innocuously, on the end of her futon. She felt oddly attached to it. Perhaps because it had brought him back here to her. Taking a big risk, she leaned closer and put her hand inside his leather jacket, resting it on his chest, warm and hard and defined under his T-shirt. “Stay.”
He covered her hand with his, and for a moment she thought he was going to agree. “I need to go, Sky. If I stay any longer I’ll undress you, because I want you.”
He reached over and stroked her neck, and then kissed it, his breath warm against her skin. “I always wanted you. You do realize that?”
She swallowed. Knowing it for sure rocked her world. Something had switched up. His directness was edged with tender honesty this time. It made her chest feel tight. She was floating, but she wanted it, every crazy, spellbound moment unfolding around her. “I was never sure.”
“Be sure.” His lips closed tighter together, his eyes flashing a warning at her. “But we’re trouble for each other, always were, and right now I can’t afford that.”
He rose to his feet, breaking the moment apart.
Sky stared after him, adrift on her emotions, confused by the disparity in what he’d said and the fact he was leaving. She jolted into action, followed him.
He turned and pulled a card out of his pocket. Handing it to her, he nodded at it. “My work number and address. I’ve written my mobile number on the reverse. If you need anything, call me. Promise?”
She took the card. “I promise.”
With that he was gone, the door clicking firmly shut behind him.
It hit her like a slap in the face. She’d been so ready, and he’d been so full on.
It was a cold reminder he’d come here for his USB, and no matter how strong the pull between them, he’d just told her how much he’d always wanted her, and left.
She stared at the shut door, dizzy with emotion, wired, on the verge of tears, and aroused beyond anything she’d ever experienced before.
And it was going to take more than a quick shower to shake it off.
CHAPTER SIX
