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“You said that when we met, but you’re kidding, surely?”
“No, but the skills just don’t vanish. If that’s what you’re worried about.”
She tried to fathom whether he was telling the truth not. It’d only been a day, but she wasn’t sure she would be able to tell. How could she trust him, really? The incentive of more money at the end of the project was pretty sure to keep him focused, and as for everything else, she figured she’d have to take it with a pinch of salt.
“When my stepbrother was banged up in jail for hacking, we promised him and ourselves we’d stay out of trouble and make opportunities for him when he came out.”
Harry had mentioned there were three of them, but even as she thought about what he said the first thing that popped into her head was how dreadful it’d have been if she’d gone after the wrong one. “What sort of opportunities?”
“If this project works out, part of the money is for him to begin his life again. He made a stupid mistake, we all did.” He pushed his fingers through his hair. “We were enjoying ourselves, seeing how far we could get.”
“A high price to pay, being sent to jail, for larking about, don’t you think?”
“Agreed. We didn’t think it’d happen though. It taught us all a lesson.”
“Do you miss hacking?”
“I don’t have to miss it now do I? You’re paying me to hack.”
She stared into his eyes while he spoke, the Welsh inflection in his voice so melodic it compelled her attention, touching her bone deep.
“I could listen to your voice all night. I love your accent.” She’d said the thought aloud, and then realized what she’d done, but it was too late.
“That’s good.” He smiled. It always made him look mischievous, that smile, as if he was planning something.
In good humor he looked wild and wicked and much more unpredictable than when he was serious. When he was at the keyboard or being serious he looked more intense, but this edge to him was beyond flirtation, as if the very movement of his handsome mouth into a smile made suggestions to her entire body.
She tingled expectantly from top to toe, and her face flushed, embarrassment coming over her as she realized just how much she’d flattered his ego. It was getting harder and harder to continue the conversation, but she tried. “I’ve liberated your lawless side, huh?”
“You’ve liberated my willingness to take risks, for sure.” His eyebrows lifted.
He’d moved close, his arm along the back of the sofa, “It’s all well and good being lawless but even gangsters to have trust, within the gang.”
“I’ve agreed to terms and signed the contract, so have you. I wouldn’t have done it if I hadn’t meant to see it through, believe me. I’m good to my word.”
“I’m glad to hear that, I’m risking a lot here. Everything, probably.”
He reached out and took her hand, squeezing it inside his firm grasp.
Startled, she looked down at their two hands entwined. Tingling sensations invaded her entire body from the point of contact.
Without seeming to move, he suddenly appeared closer.
“I’ll see it through, and we’ll find out what’s going on at your father’s company, believe me. I can do it.”
Her brain would hardly function, aroused as she was. “That sure, huh?”
“I’m as sure about that as I am about this.”
Lara suddenly realized what
was happening. They were going to kiss. In that split second before it actually happened, her breath trapped in her lungs, her pulse racing. Something in his eyes flickered, like a warning or an invitation, but before she had a chance to turn away or say something, he made his move.
He leaned even closer.
His mouth covered hers, gently at first, then more insistently.
Her entire body tensed then melted, her lips parting under his.
