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I love the little mewing noises she makes when I kiss her, the breathy moans she lets out as if she's on the edge of release.
"We need to make this conference count," I say.
She takes my hand and grips it hard, as if she never wants to let go. "I understand," she whispers. "I was thinking of that earlier. There's no future for us after this, is there? Unless we want to do the whole long-distance thing. I've seen long-distance relationships. One of my coworkers was in one. It tore them apart. And I can't promise you I'll ever be able to come to the East Coast, and it's not like you can abandon your company?—"
"Hey," I cut in, kissing her on the cheek. "It's okay. We don't have to worry about that now. Let's just enjoy what we have while we have it."
Big words coming from me when the thought of separating makes me feel like the world is spinning out of control. But she's right. How can we make this work?
"Let me know if there are any updates," she says.
We kiss one last time, then she pushes against my chest, creating some distance between us, probably knowing I won't be able to hold myself back if we keep kissing. I drive back to my hotel and collapse into bed, getting a few hours of sleep.
When I wake, I've got a text from Victor. He's not only the man who mentored me in my younger years. He's the co-founder of NeuroDrive, though he sold his shares to me a few years ago because he wanted a peaceful life with his wife.
Victor: Call me when you get a chance.
I grab my cell and walk to the tall windows, looking over the city as the sun illuminates it. "What's up?" I say.
"Steve texted me last night."
I laugh gruffly. "Of course he did. He told you I'm sabotaging the company by inviting people to double-cross me, I suppose."
"Not in so many words," Victor replies. "Who's this girl?"
"She's..." I pause, wondering how I can put this into words. "I bought her a laptop. We've dated. We've been intimate. In simple terms..." If there can be anything simple about this. "She's the closest to a girlfriend I've ever had."
He sighs. "That was what I was afraid of."
"Why would you be afraid of that?" I snap.
"Steve filled me in. She works for TechGuard. What if she's?—"
"She's not tricking me," I snarl. "You need to get that out of your head, Victor. She's a good person with a kind heart. She offered to pitch in, and I said yes, because she's clever and she's a hard worker."
"Relax, kid," Victor says with a sigh. At twenty years my senior, he's the only person who can call mekid. I've known him since I was a teenager. "You really like her."
"Yes, I do," I bristle. "She's funny, insightful, talented, and sparky."
He chuckles. "Sparky?"
"I call her Sparkplug because she's got some serious sass. And before you say it, no, she's not distracting me. I'm still working as hard as I would before. Only now, instead of taking breaks by going to the gym or whatever, I'm seeing her."
"You're sure she's aboveboard?"
"I'm certain. I trust her."
Victor sighs. "I won't lie. That worries me. How can you trust someone you barely know?"
"From where I'm sitting, the more important question is howcouldn'tI. We have a connection."
When I say this, a dark note touches me. It's true. I've got more of a connection with her than any other woman I've ever met... but it has to end. She was right last night. I can't abandon the company. She can't abandon her maternal figure.
"Just be careful," Victor cautions.
"The sabotage is already done," I tell him. "If TechGuard was involved, the last thing she'd want to do is volunteer to work with me. She'd want to stay as far away as possible."
"Or she'd think that working with you is the best way to diffuse any suspicions."