White-Hot Hack (Kate and Ian #2)(35)

Ian was waiting in the conference room. “How did things go?”

“I don’t want to sound like I’m bragging, but I’m pretty good at this matchmaker stuff.”

“Just one of your many talents, sweetness.” He sighed. “We should have stopped for donuts. Okay, today is phase three, which means we’re going to be the opposite of running silent. We’re everywhere.”

“Are we trying to get caught?”

“Not exactly, because I still have to break into the server room at the end of the day. And if I’m unsuccessful, we’ll have to come back tomorrow so I can try again. But we’re going to push the envelope as far as we can. Common sense dictates that our behavior should spark suspicion among the employees of this company. Let’s see how much they’re paying attention.”

“What do you want me to do?”

“See if you can obtain the log-in credentials of five to ten employees on each floor. If they’re away from their desks, sit down at their computer and try to log in. If they’re at their desks, ask them for their user name and password. Keep track of how many people refuse or ask you why you want to know.”

“What will you be doing?”

“I’m going to start by crashing the IT department’s weekly meeting.”

“You’re kidding.”

“Nope. Just think how the CIO will feel when he hears about it. After that, I’m going to do the same thing you’re doing, although I’ll probably be a bit less subtle about it.”

“Nooooooooo,” she deadpanned.

“Hard to believe, huh?”

She grinned. “Not at all.”

He pulled out the neckline of her shirt, looked down it, and let out a low wolf whistle. “That should hold me for a while.”

“Plenty more where that came from later,” she said as he laughed and headed for the door.



Ian entered the conference room for the IT meeting and took a seat near the back. A few members of the department shot him curious looks; he met them with a cheery smile.

A man dressed in an identical uniform of polo shirt and khakis sat down next to him. “Hey.”

“How’s it going?” Ian said.

“Not bad. Do you know what we’re discussing today? I forgot my agenda.”

“I literally do not have a clue.” He could have found out if he’d wanted, but that seemed like unnecessary work, especially since he didn’t really care.

The IT manager, a man Ian recognized from the picture he’d downloaded from the Internet, hurried into the room. He scanned the attendees as if checking to see if everyone was there and hesitated for a moment when he spotted Ian. He should have asked what someone he didn’t recognize was doing there, but Ian had found that most people didn’t like asking questions in front of others for fear of looking like they didn’t know what was going on. The IT manager was no different, and he moved on and got started with the meeting.



Kate was sitting at an unattended cubicle playing online solitaire when she received a text from her brother. She’d cracked the employee’s computer password on her third attempt by using his last name—clearly visible on the nameplate—followed by his first name and the number 1. When would people learn?



Chad: I want to buy Kristin something really special for Christmas. Can you do some nosing around and get back to me?

Kate: I’m on it.

She placed her queen and sent a message to Kristin.

Kate: What gift item do you wish you had right now?

Kristin: Did Chad ask you for ideas?

Kate: You know how shopping paralyzes him. Tell me what you want and I’ll make sure you get it.

Kristin: Let me think about it and get back to you.

Kate became engrossed in her game and wondered how far she could get before the employee returned.

Ian: This meeting is incredibly boring. Sext me.

Kate: Remember when you walked in on me in the bathtub at my apartment in Minneapolis?

Ian: How could I forget? The image of your left nipple was burned into my brain that day. I’m picturing it right now.

Kate: I was absolutely about to touch my breasts.

Ian: I knew it! Tell me how it was going to go down.

Kate: I was going to pretend my hands were your hands. Then I was going to touch myself the way I imagined you would touch me.

Ian: Keep going. DO NOT STOP.

Kate: That’s as far as I got because then you walked in on me FOR REAL.

Ian: How very PG-13. I KNOW YOU CAN DO BETTER.

Kate: We’re in the conference room. It’s dark and empty and I’m stroking you through your khakis.

Ian: Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Kate: We’re in the conference room, and I’ve been such a bad girl. You’re going to teach me a lesson.

Ian: I’m awake now.

Kate: We’re in the conference room, and you take off all my clothes and lay me down on the table. As you stroke me, you tell me I have to keep quiet or you’ll stop. I can’t stop making those little noises you like because it feels incredible, so you have to cover my mouth with your hand, which turns me on like you wouldn’t believe.

Kate felt warm and fidgeted in her chair as she hit Send. Two minutes later, her phone buzzed.

Ian: I’m waiting.