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Rushing home, I change into a white graphic baby tee and the black flower skater skirt I bought at the mall last week. His prescribed infinity necklace at my throat and lacy underwear underneath, just like he likes. Not that he’ll see it today, of course. This is my field trip day!
Just as I’m slipping on my black ballet flats, the doorbell rings. It’s Henry. I grab my purse and hop into the back of the town car. My phone lights up immediately. It’s a text from Kohl.
Are you on your way? I need to see you.
I smile at his words. He misses me. It’s unlike him to be effusive, but I think I like it.
XVerse is in La Cañada, only about a twenty-minute drive from Caltech. I close my eyes for the short drive, trying to catch up on a little shut eye. But as we pull off the freeway, I open my eyes and I reply to Kohl’s text.
Just got off the freeway. Be there in a few min.
When we enter the parking lot and pull around to the front of the building, Kohl is standing at the curb. My heart skips when I see him. Wearing a blue short-sleeved shirt that hugs his biceps and gray slacks, he looks so fucking delicious, I moan to myself.
Damnit. Walking away from this man might be harder than I thought.
Before Henry can come around the front of the car, Evan steps forward and opens the door for me. I step out of the car, and he immediately pulls me into his arms.
“Christ, I’ve missed this.”
I’ve missed it too. I didn’t realize how much, until I felt his arms around me. Inexplicably, I feel safe. Wanted. Desired.
I pull back and smile. “It’s only been two days.”
“A lifetime,” he says, planting a quick kiss on my lips. He threads his fingers through mine and tugs me toward the large building. “How was the exam? Do you feel you passed?”
I shrug. “I think I did all right. But I won’t have any idea until next week.”
He smooths his thumb over my cheek. “I’m certain you did. Shall I show you around?”
He leads me through the stark white-marble lobby, and everything from the receptionist desk to the sitting area is sleek and modern. Likewise, the office space is wide open, each cubicle separated by white frosted glass—including Evan’s. Despite being the Founder and CEO, he has a cubicle like everyone else.
“Shouldn’t you have your own office?” I ask.
“I have an office for conference calls and confidential meetings, but otherwise, I prefer the cubicle. The open floor plan fosters free communication.”
Over the next hour, he takes me through the server room, the avionic test facility, the shaker room, the electromagnetic interference testing chamber, but it’s when we approach the warehouse filled with rocket engine components that my interest is truly piqued.
“Are these the engine parts for the Pegasus?”
Pegasus I will be the most efficient reusable launch vehicle in history, as soon as it’s up and running. It’s groundbreaking, and for the first time, it will make commercial space travel more affordable.
“Yes, they’ll be assembled and then sent out to our testing facility in Texas.”
I crouch down to inspect the individual parts. “Have you ever thought about eliminating the fuel-oxidizer turbine interseal? That’s typically where a chemical rocket engine fails.”
“Yes, actually,” he says, but when he hesitates, I glance up at him. He looks stunned. “That’s the direction we are taking with the next generation of engines.”
I stand up and brush my hands down my skirt. “Excellent.”
The look in his eyes is something I’ve never seen before—it’s tenderness, desire and surprise, all rolled up into one smoldering gaze.
“I’m impressed, Madeline.” He reaches out to brush a strand of hair behind my ear. “You never fail to surprise me.”
My mouth feels suddenly dry. “Um, thank you.”
Leaning forward, his lips brush against mine. Startled, I take a hasty step backward, out of his embrace. My gaze darts around the large warehouse. Several employees are working in plain view of us.
“What are you doing?” I ask. “Someone will see us.”
