White-Hot Hack (Kate and Ian #2)(31)

After locating Nathan’s cubicle, Kate walked by slowly, relieved to discover it was empty. If she hurried, maybe she could install the keylogger before he returned. She crouched down and darted underneath his desk before she lost her nerve.

It was dark and she worried she might drop the keylogger, so she pulled out her phone and turned on the flashlight, wedging it underneath her chin. Working quickly, she found the correct cable and pulled it from the tower. Then she connected the keylogger and plugged it back in again.

She was on her hands and knees, backing up slowly to avoid hitting her head on the underside of his desk, when a man’s voice said, “Excuse me. Why are you under my desk?”

“Oh my God, is this your desk? I’m so sorry!” Calm down, Kate. No need to shout. “I lost the back to my earring,” she said in a much softer tone. “I saw it hit the ground and roll under here. I chased after it without thinking.”

He crouched down. “Do you need help?”

“Thanks, but I found it,” she said, scrambling to her feet as she pretended to put the back of the earring on. Her heart thundered in her chest.

“I’m Nathan.”

She extended her hand and he shook it. “Jeannine.” He was nice-looking, maybe a few years older than her.

“You don’t work in IT, do you? I’m sure I’d remember you.”

“I’m a temp working on a compliance audit for Legal. I just had a brief meeting on this floor and was on my way to the break room.”

“I’m headed there myself. Mind if I walk with you?”

“Not at all.” That was the last thing she wanted, but she wasn’t willing to jeopardize his acceptance of her explanation for being under his desk.

In the break room, she poured a cup of coffee. She’d had trouble sleeping the night before because her frequent stops in the break room yesterday had caused her caffeine consumption to skyrocket. As soon as she was out of Nathan’s view, she’d dump the cup in the garbage.

“How long will you be working on this assignment?” he asked.

“I’m not sure. Probably another day or two.”

He leaned against the counter. “Maybe we could grab a cup of coffee before work someday this week.”

“Sure.”

He pulled his phone from his pocket. “What’s your number?”

“I’ll give you my e-mail address.”

He grinned. “Fair enough.”

Ian had set up a bogus e-mail account for Kate to use anytime someone asked for her contact information. She rattled it off and he typed it in.

They left the break room, and when they reached the aisle where his cubicle was located, he said, “Have a nice afternoon.”

“Thanks, you too.”

On her way back to let Ian know everything had—mostly—gone off without a hitch, she realized Nathan hadn’t actually needed anything in the break room.



Ian was leaning back in his chair grinning, arms crossed in front of him when she let herself back into the conference room. “I send you to install a keylogger and you come back with a date?”

“How do you know that?” Her eyes widened. “Hold up. He’s already sent an e-mail? I literally just left him five minutes ago.”

“Oh, yes. Nathan thinks he’s taking my wife to Starbucks for coffee and scones. Please.”

Kate clasped her hands together and gasped. “Do you think he’ll let me order one of those seasonal lattes from the secret menu?”

“I think he just might. A venti, even.” He pulled her down onto his lap and tickled her, making her laugh and squirm.

“Stop that. I had no choice. He caught me underneath his desk, and I’m not wearing a ring. I have to admire his fearlessness.”

“I think it’s great that you have a date. Really. Couldn’t be cooler with the idea.”

“You’re a horrible liar.”

“I’m an excellent liar. How do you think Nathan will feel about you bringing your husband along?”

“I think he’ll be bummed because that’s probably not the kind of three-way he was hoping for.”

“It’s not the kind any man hopes for.”

“Have you ever actually had a three-way? You said most men wouldn’t turn one down.”

“No, I’ve never had one. And what I said was that most men probably wouldn’t turn one down if the opportunity presented itself, which it never has for me. It’s also not the kind of thing I ever went looking for. I can’t speak for all mankind, but if I had to guess, I’d say the idea of a three-way is more enticing than the act itself. That doesn’t mean there aren’t men out there desperately trying to have them, but I’m not one of them. There’s only one woman I want in my bed, and there’s no room for anyone else. Besides, we’re plenty spicy on our own, and you have yet to say no to anything I’ve suggested. Together we’re pretty hot.” He slid his hand behind her head and kissed her gently.

“I was just wondering.”

“Have you ever had a three-way?”

She shook her head. “Not my jam.”

The sound of approaching footsteps halted further conversation, and Kate leapt from Ian’s lap. She landed in her own chair mere seconds before the door opened.