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“It doesn’t change the fact I’d like to skin him Silence of the Lambs style. Tell him I’ll be ready to accept his apology when he matures, which is… ahem… never.”
James stood up and wrapped his enormous arms around her in a bear hug. “I missed you. Sorry about my brother.”
She handed him a small gift bag and whispered something in his ear.
“Are you coming, Laura?”
Allie nudged my back, propelling me forward. James took my hand without asking again, kissed Grace on her cheek, and waved at Allie and Tristan. “I’ll see you two in the morning. Don’t stay up too late.”
I followed his lead back to the car and took the passenger’s seat. James buckled his seatbelt and turned my way.
“I couldn’t wait to get you alone again. Are you in a hurry to get home?”
“Didn’t you say you needed to pick up Laila?”
“No, I just wanted to get out of there so I could have more time with you. Do you have time?”
“I pick up Ozzy in the morning, so yeah, I have some time.”
A sly smile lifted the corner of his mouth. “Great. I want to show you something. It’s not far.”
His dimple pushed deeper into his cheek, and I melted into my seat. He had that sexy, mysterious look patented. Ten minutes later, James pulled into his private parking spot at Silver Securities. We took the elevator to the fifteenth floor. Motion censored lights flickered on.
“I know I said I’d give you time to decide, but I wanted to ensure you saw the full picture of the operation you’d be leading with Allie.”
I smiled. “All right. Show me what you’ve got.”
He pressed his finger to a pad, and the glass door slid open. The grand tour of the office floor where Allie’s future team would operate had my mind spinning. The resources to help here were absolutely incredible. The secret I’d have to keep from my best friend was big, but it wasn’t my first, nor my second. After the tour, we took the elevator to the corporate floor, where he insisted on showing me the view from his office. I walked around the spacious room. The gray and white decor with a touch of silver boasted elegance, strength, and power. I slid my finger over the polished mahogany desk.
“I must say, the technology at Silver Securities is impressive, and the design team did a great job with the space downstairs. It’s cozy.”
“I’m glad you like it. You’d lead a team of twelve, in charge of everything from planning a rescue operation to dealing with the aftermath. The rescued woman passing through your office would receive physiological and emotional support. I know it’d be a change from working the streets, but it would be more fulfilling. Last week, my brother brought in a pregnant seventeen-year-old to a safe house. She would have lost her baby if she’d stayed with her abuser.”
Shivers nipped at my spine. I knew I could do the job. Bringing down human trafficking hit a sweet spot deep in my chest. The number of times we’d found an infant’s body dumped because the child had resulted from rape was one too many.
I pressed my palm against the window. Such a beautiful skyline masked the crime below.
“I’m sorry about your jacket.”
“It’s replaceable.” His voice was low, and I was afraid to turn around.
“What did Grace give you?”
“A gift for you. Whatever it is, I hope I get to see you wear it.”
My skin prickled with goosebumps as his intention overtook my senses. I swallowed with a click. “The view isn’t so bad either.”
The lights dimmed behind me in the window’s reflection, and my pulse quickened.
“I agree.” James’s warm breath dusted the back of my neck, and I turned to face him. He stood tall, his thick thighs against mine. The potent scent of his cologne hit me. The peppery, cedar aroma with a hint of rose spun my head until I looked up and met his blue eyes. His gaze anchored me.
“Laura, there’s another consideration I’d like you to make besides the work.”
I swallowed a knot of apprehension as he held his breath. “What is it?”
“Give me a chance.” His throaty voice vibrated through the air and landed on my skin. The waves oscillated down my throat and chest, and settled below my belt.
“A chance for what?” My whisper broke into staccato.
