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Damn, why did his opinion matter?she told herself off.
A soft chime sounded. Harlow’s heart pattered with anticipation as the lift doors opened.
She stepped out and then paused, gasping at the sight of unhindered panoramic views of Eden II’s skyscrapers against a dazzling skyline. Stars shone brightly across the velvet darkness, and she spotted a meteor streak past, leaving behind a trail of twinkling embers.
‘Close your trap, honey,’ she heard a voice call out. ‘Unless you’re out to catch some lunar moths.’
Selene, in a stunning black, sheathe dress, approached with a broad smile and even wider, open arms. Seconds later, she enveloped Harlow in a hug.
‘This is epic, Sel,’ Harlow finally said when they pulled apart. She looked around at the rooftop deck that sat like a jewel atop 360°views of Eden II’s metro centre.
‘It’s amazing, hey?’
‘Is this your crib?’ Harlow asked, gaping at the resort-style, infinity-edge pool with cabanas, cosy nooks and hot tubs surrounding it. It was flanked by a clubhouse with a bar, kitchen and pool table.
‘No, honey. This is the building’s shared space. The only people who share it are the Riders, myself and our friends. It’s The Sable Group’s metro retreat. They’ve worked so hard to make this place a safe space for themselves. It’s also a grand statement to overcoming their past.’
‘I’ve heard a little about their past, but if this is the result, I’m sure it’s worth it. It’s so beautiful, I don’t ever want to leave,’ Harlow whispered, lost in the expansive views.
Her eyes fell on a group of people huddled at the clubhouse at the opposite end of the space. Then she spotted a tall, jagged scar-face figure amongst them. ‘OK, maybe I want to leave.’
Selene followed Harlow’s gaze. ‘Kage? Too late. He’s seen you and is striding over like he owns you.’
Harlow sighed. Not in irritation but in annoyance at the sudden ratcheting up of her heartbeat.
How did one man move so fast yet look so casual and relaxed? And why did he have to devastate her further by wearing a light blue linen shirt open mid-chest, tucked into fitting grey pants that showed off his sexy butt and gripped his thighs all the way to his chunky man boots? Why?
Before she could take a beat and suck in more air, he was upon them.
He came to a stop and whistled under his breath, shamelessly raking his silver eyes up and down her body. ‘You come to work like that every day,karaand Skylab will surely blow up. That’s some serious dress body flex.’
‘Jumpsuit.’
‘Care less what you call it. Care more for how it lights you up.’
‘Slow it, cowboy. I’m putting you on notice,’ Harlow warned, but secretly she’d never felt more beautiful. What this man did to her self-esteem was beyond.
‘I think someone here ’bout to blow,’ Selene giggled. ‘Thanks for the vino, babe,’ she said, eyes twinkling as she plucked the bottle from Harlow’s hands. ‘See you two later.’
They barely noticed her departure. Kage took a more leisurely look at Harlow, biting his lower lip in sheer appreciation. She met his eyes shyly, shook her head and looked away, unable to handle the heat between them. She trained her gaze on the lush beauty of the rooftop.
‘Want a tour?’ Kage asked softly.
She turned her eyes back to him. ‘Why not? You’re good at it.’
‘You don’t know just how good I am,kara.’
They both knew they wereNOTtalking about the rooftop experience.
‘Stop it, Kage,’ she breathed, not really meaning it. ‘Just stop.’
He leaned in and breathed in her perfumed neck, softly blowing warm air onto her skin. ‘Don’t think you don’t want that, beautiful. Which is why you wore that decadent slip of fabric.’
She shivered, desire snaking through her. ‘I wore it because I feel good in it.’
Sucked, but he was right though. His potential reaction had been part of her wardrobe choice equation. ‘You’re out of control,’ she continued weakly. ‘We work together, for goodness sake.’
‘It’s after 1800 on a Friday,kara. We technically ceased to be colleagues at 1759. And we’ve got 48 more hours ‘fore we need to formalise our working relationship again. Don’t you love the weekend, beautiful? I do.’
