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Schön shook her head. Her brown eyes were nearly black as she gazed into mine. “He did not.”
“Good.”
“Magnet…”
“I will leave you alone and let you work, but first, there’s something I need to say.”
“Okay,” she whispered.
“I like you, Schön. Very much, in fact. I think you’re far smarter than even you give yourself credit for, and watching you transition from someone who is unsure of herself to one confident enough to boldly recommend an op thrills me to no end. You’re also extraordinarily beautiful, and yes, I am very attracted to you. However, your physical appeal is just one of the things that excites me when I’m with you. I want to be clear about that.”
“Yourphysical appeal is only one thing that excites me when I’m with you too.”
“Yeah?”
She nodded. “The other thing I really like is your ability to make yourself scarce when I have work to do.”
I laughed out loud. “Understood. I would offer to help, but it seems my absence is what you desire most.”
“There is one thing. Although I don’t know whether it’s possible.”
Standing, I raised one arm and flexed my muscles. “I’m a task force commander, which means anything is possible.”
Her cheeks pinkened, which I adored, and she smiled. “I’m really hungry.”
I leaned down and kissed her forehead. “Of course you are. You didn’t eat anything at the pub. You’re in the right place, though. Zeppelin eats three times his weight on a daily basis, so we have lots of food. Any requests, or shall I surprise you?”
“Anything at all would be great. I can’t focus.”
“That means you need protein.” Within five minutes, I set a plate in front of her. “Madam, your chicken quesadilla in egg wrap is served.”
“My what?”
“It’s something I learned to make when I was on assignment in California. Essentially, it’s the same as a burrito or taco?—”
“I know what a quesadilla is, Magnet. What’s an egg wrap?”
“Oh, the thing that looks like a tortilla, but isn’t. It’s much healthier. Instead of carbs, it’s protein.”
I waited while she took a bite of one of the slices I’d cut.
“Wow. I can’t tell the difference.”
“Right?”
“Now, all I have to feel guilty about is the cheese.”
I shook my head. “It’s plant-based.”
She took another bite. “I can’t believe it. No wonder you’re all rock-hard muscle.”
When her cheeks flushed again, I leaned down and kissed her forehead like I had a few minutes earlier. “Get back to work. If you need more sustenance, holler.” I was about to add that I’d be in the bedroom, but there was already too much sexual innuendo in our conversation.
I’d just driftedoff after showering and lying on the bed when I heard a rap on the door. I jumped up to open it, realizing when I reached for the handle that I’d only put on a pair of boxer briefs. Nothing else. “One moment.”
“I just wanted to let you know I’m calling it a night. Shall I turn the lights off?”
“No, uh, I can do it. I just need to put on some clothes. I mean, I’m notnaked.”