Deadly Testimony (Safeguard #2)(78)



It was late and while she and Kyle were both guilty of working long hours, they usually made sure to leave the office together. Managing this thing called work-life balance was a tough concept. It hadn’t been much of a consideration for either of them until they’d met each other. So far though, it’d been an adjustment they’d both taken to. Easy enough when their time off was spent exploring fine dining hot spots around downtown Seattle and taking active day trips around the Puget Sound. They had fun together. A lot of fun.

Tonight was the third time this week he’d managed to work late enough for her to come seek him out at the Safeguard offices rather than in bed at his condo. But to be fair, her hours were odd too. The important part for both of them was the flexibility to make their days off count.

This was Monday night, essentially her equivalent of the start of a weekend since she generally had assignments from Friday through Sunday. Kyle usually arranged his office hours to match and they made a point of spending their two days off together, away from the office.

Their most recent success had been an overnight kayak expedition around the San Juan Islands. The sights around the islands and the wildlife had been incredible, highlighted by cooked-to-order gourmet meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It’d been a foodie adventure and she was eager to see what they could come up with next.

They’d been talking about an extended vacation but they’d also both taken up their new responsibilities at Safeguard with enthusiasm. Plus, he’d been making sure his sister and nephew were settled in an apartment near his nephew’s university. The past few months had swept by in a blur.

Which made the time they spent together something they both made the most of, whenever they could.

The glass walls of his office were dialed to opacity, tweaking her temper up a notch. He wasn’t supposed to limit his line of sight when he was working alone. It made him vulnerable to oncoming danger.

Like her.

She covered the last few steps to his office door and stopped in her tracks.

On the desk was a dinner spread set between two pillar candles in hurricane glasses. Savory scents teased her and her mouth started watering just a little, but not just because of the amazing meal.

Kyle sat behind his desk with his feet up, his suit jacket open and his tie undone to hang down on either side of his collar. His perfectly tailored dress shirt was unbuttoned and left open to expose his chest and deliciously sculpted abs. His dark gaze found hers over the candlelight and he gave her a slow, sexy smile.

“Happy birthday, Lizzy.”

Slowly, he lifted his hand from behind the desk to set a pair of absolutely stunning shoes of creamy white lace accented by delicate crystals. They were open-toed and on the front of each balanced a sparkling butterfly.

Caught without words, she crossed over to the desk. Picking up a p?o de queijo and popping it into her mouth, she chewed slowly and savored the cheesy Brazilian bread treat.

Unruffled by her lack of response, Kyle took his feet down off the desk and stood smoothly, pouring her a glass of wine and holding it out to her.

She took it and had a small sip. “Thank you, for all of this.”

Especially for the amazing shoes.

He came around the desk and reached out, his hand brushing her jaw in a light caress as he slid it behind her head and grasped the nape of her neck. He pulled her close for a scalding kiss, his lips hot on hers as she opened for him. He tasted of wine and spice, his breath mingling with hers until she set the wineglass down and spread her hands over his chest.

When she tilted her head back in a gasp, he pressed a trail of searing kisses along her neck and whispered, “We could celebrate right here.”

She growled and set her teeth against his shoulder, not hard enough to break skin, then licked the same spot. “Negative. Cameras everywhere and this is already way more than any of them need to see.”

He chuckled and straightened without protest, the hunger still in his gaze, promising the night was going to be a long one once they got back to his place.

She gave him another quick kiss and then turned her attention to the slices of skirt steak with garlic butter. There was just enough here for a light meal.

“I figured you might enjoy a snack.” He leaned against the edge of the desk. “There’s another dinner waiting in a basket back at my place.”

She raised an eyebrow at him. “Does Diaz know you’re the reason Maylin’s catering company is expanding this winter?”

He shrugged. “The food is unparalleled.”

No argument there. “Why a basket?”

“Well, if things go as I hope they will, we’ll be heading out as soon as we stop by to pick up the luggage I’ve packed.” A twinge of uncertainty had crept into his tone.

“Packed?” Her heart did a little flip. “Where are we going?”

“I thought you might trust me. The first flight is to Hawaii.” He gave her a heart-stopping grin. “You can find out the next stop after a couple of days and I give you the boarding passes to our next destination. All cleared with Diaz already, no worries about any contracts. Just a well-deserved vacation.”

Together.

“What about Frederick?” She glanced at the goldfish in question, still swimming around happily in his fishbowl.

“Diaz even agreed to come in and feed Frederick every day.”

Lizzy huffed out a laugh as she touched the water’s surface. The goldfish swam up to the surface to kiss her fingertip.

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