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SEVENTEEN

SAVANNAH

MY STOMACH FLIPS when I walk into the office I’ve been using—Zeke’s office—and find him there.

He’s in head-to-toe black like always, but nothing about his monochromatic clothing is dark or depressing. It’s focused and serious. Streamlined and to the point. It also looks ridiculously good on him. The way the fitted T-shirt spreads across his broad shoulders and muscled chest has me swallowing hard.

The tactical pants serve as a reminder of exactly what he’s capable of. I’m sure many people would be deterred by that reminder, but not me. I like it. There is nowhere in this world safer than next to someone capable of killing people.

As long as that someone is Zeke.

“Good morning.” I take a hesitant step into the room, because I’m not sure where I’m going to be working now that he’s back. I know I told Elise I would be fine with sharing, but I don’t know that Zeke is. Yes, he spent a significant amount of time with me over the weekend, but that could’ve just been because he didn’t have anything else to do. Now he does, so it’s possible he would rather have his office all to himself. And that would be fine. I understand completely. It’s his office.

His eyes lift from the empty front corner of the room to meet mine. “Good morning.”

The deep rumble of his greeting almost vibrates through my body. I do my best to ignore it, but parts of me clench way more than they should. “I can just get my things out of your way so you can get back to it.” I move toward the desk, ready to collect the few items I have in here, but Zeke stops me.

“No.” He turns, gaze bouncing between the computer I’ve been using and my face. “You can still work in here.”

Again, my belly flips. “But where will you work?”

He looks back over one shoulder at the front corner. “I think there’s more than enough room for two desks.”

My palms are starting to sweat, so I rub them against my dress, hoping the pale blue fabric will wipe away the evidence of my inner turmoil. “Are you sure?”

Now that Zeke is in this office with me, it suddenly feels much smaller, and it’s starting to register that I’ll be sitting only a few feet from him all day long. Looking at him. Smelling him. Listening to him talk.

And, most likely, remembering how he looks without his shirt on. The way he watched me as I carefully cleaned his skin. How much I enjoyed it, and the way my fingers itch to do it again.

Maybe this is a bad idea.

“I’m positive.” He grabs one of the two chairs situated across from the big desk. “I already talked to Elise and she’s having maintenance bring a spare desk up from storage.”

I’m still wiping my hands on my dress because the sweating hasn’t stopped. “Yeah. Okay.” I sound way more certain than I am. Because I’m fairly confident it will be anything but okay.

At some point, Zeke is going to notice my growing attraction to him, and when he does everything will change. Things will get weird between us and I’ll lose the one person who has my back and understands what I’m going through.

“There’s no reason for me to monopolize a whole office when I’m only here part-time.” Zeke shoves the chair into the hall before grabbing the second one. “It makes sense for me to share with someone.”

It makes as much sense as anything does, I guess. “I’m just worried me being in here might bother you.”

Zeke freezes in the doorway, his face snapping toward me. That intensity that used to intimidate me simmers in his eyes. “You will never bother me, Savannah.” His eyes hold mine for a few long seconds, then he rocks his neck from side to side, shifting his shoulders. “And who would sneak me pretzels if you weren’t here?”

That is true. He does benefit from this arrangement. “I could probably also hide a little mini fridge back here and stock it with string cheese if you want.”

Zeke’s eyes come back to me, but they’re softer this time. “I do love string cheese.”

A little of the tension tightening my muscles dissipates, but I’m still wiping my hands down my dress. “I know.”

Well. Crap. I maybe shouldn’t have admitted that. How would I know he likes pretzels and string cheese if I hadn’t been obsessively watching him for months?

“We should put some Dr Pepper in there too.” Zeke’s mouth softens the way it does when he almost smiles. “But I can take care of that.”

I shake my head. “You don’t have to.” He already does so much for me—some of it he’s probably not even aware of. “I can get it.”

The smile he’s been suppressing finally works free as he bends over to reach under the front corner of the desk. He lifts up a twelve pack of my favorite soda. “Too late.”

I open my mouth, but nothing comes out.

Zeke continues on anyway. “I figured I owed you since you worked so hard at making my office nice while I was gone.” His eyes drop to the corner I decorated. “I went ahead and lit the candle when I came in.”

It’s yet another thing I didn’t notice because I was too busy ogling him. I probably also didn’t notice because I no longer need the candle for the office to smell like him. “I wasn’t sure you would like it.”

He already told me he liked it, but knowing he likes it enough to light the candle? Even when I’m not here? That makes me feel...

Something very confusing. Something I probably shouldn’t be feeling. Something way worse than the heat that rushes through me when I think about how much I liked touching him. Lusting after Zeke is one thing. Letting myself think there could ever be more than friendship between us is another.

Zeke straightens, expression serious. “Savannah, you can bring anything you want into this room.” He steps toward me, making my heart rate pick up. “Fill it with pillows and flowers and blankets if it makes you happy.”

I take a shaky breath, because I don’t know why Zeke would do this. Why he would let me infiltrate his life the way I have. This has gone far beyond helping me, and it gives that rebellious little part of me trying to hope there’s more between us ground to stand on. “But this is your office.”

“I disagree, but even if that was true, I would still be more than happy for you to decorate it however you want.”

I don’t know what to say to that, so I just stand there. Confused on so many levels my brain has shorted out.

“Here’s that desk.” One of the maintenance guys snaps me out of my stupor with his arrival behind me. I step to one side, letting him pass.

Zeke helps him get the second work surface in place as I continue to do little more than blink.

“Hey.” Elise joins the already crowded room with a smile. “Looks like you guys are getting situated.”

“We’re getting there.” Zeke shifts around the newly delivered desk.

Elise turns to me, her eyes widening. “Will you be able to work with someone else right there?” She says the words slowly, enunciating each one as she continues staring at me with wide eyes. “Because I can find you your own space if that would be better.”

It’s almost funny that she assumes I’m freaking out over Zeke sharing an office with me. Technically, I am, just not in the way she thinks. “It’ll be fine. I don’t mind sharing.”

Elise steps closer, lowering her voice. “If anything changes, all you have to do is let me know. I’ll get you a new office so fast it will make your head spin.”

I smile even though I’m still sort of freaking out. “I promise it’s okay.” I love how Elise is looking out for me. Not enough to want to get in a car with her again, but enough to work extra hard.

She gives Zeke one more look, narrowing her eyes in a way that could be construed as a threat, before leaving to go back to her office.

Zeke lifts his brows at the empty doorway before turning to me. “I think she’s worried you don’t like being around me.”

I laugh. “Maybe she’s worried you don’t like being around me.”

Again, Zeke meets my eyes with a serious expression. “Everyone likes being around you, Savannah.”

I press my lips together, smothering out my smile. It wasn’t brought on by his compliment— though that was appreciated. I’m smiling because Elise obviously doesn’t know him as well as I do.

Yes, Zeke is stern and serious and intense. It’s possible he comes across a little grumpy and abrasive. But inside, he is the sweetest cinnamon roll that has ever existed. And for some reason, no one seems to see that but me. And I like it. I like that his true colors are my little secret.

“Then I guess today is your lucky day, because you get to spend it with me.” I move to the chair I occupied the week he was gone, setting my bag in the seat before finally taking off my coat to hang it on the hook behind me.

Zeke’s is already right next to it, and I stare at it for a second. “Why is your coat here?” He lives in the rooming house, so there’s no reason for him to have worn it this morning.

“I had to go get Dr Pepper, remember?” He says it like it was a normal errand instead of one of the most thoughtful things a man has ever done for me.

I’ve dated, but found the pool to be a little more shallow than I wanted. Full of men who were full of themselves, and gave little thought to my wants or needs. They certainly never helped me hang curtains or unpack boxes. Never complimented my cooking and decorating.

And they sure as heck never went out in the freezing cold to get me Dr Pepper.

“I should probably go do inventory.” I need a little air. Air that doesn’t smell like Zeke’s warm skin.

I flash a smile as I back toward the door. “I’ll be back.” I dart away, not giving him time to offer a response, because there’s a high likelihood that would make me even more infatuated with him.

That’s what this has to be. Infatuation. I just feel safe for the first time in a year, and naturally I would develop some sort of an attachment to the man who has given me that. Perfectly normal. Doesn’t mean anything.

I still practically run to the medical wing. Unfortunately, once I get there, all I can think about is what happened the last time I was here. When Zeke was injured and covered in blood. And I touched him. In lots of places. For a long time.

Maybe I’ll do this later.

I leave the medical wing and go to the storage closet where we keep all the toiletries. Then I go to work counting. At least I can remember the sequence of numbers without thinking of Zeke’s smell, or the deep rumble of his voice, or the slightly rough feel of his calloused hand in mine…

“Crap.” I close my eyes, taking a deep breath before I return to the task at hand, refusing to allow my brain to take the detour it desperately wants.

By the time I’m finished counting and logging tissues, toilet paper, paper towels, and soap, I feel much better. Completely in control of my emotions and desires.

It’s going to be fine. Sitting across from Zeke all day will be no problem at all. None whatsoever.

I’m feeling a little smug with myself as I return to our shared office, head held high and spine straight. Completely confident in my ability to maintain professionalism. But my feet skid to a stop when I reach the doorway and find Zeke’s not the only man occupying our office. Pierce sits on the edge of my desk, talking in that slightly stuck-up sort of way he has.

“Since you are unable to go out in the field for the next while due to your shoulder injury, I think I may send you back to Nashville.”

Zeke’s brows lift. “Nashville?” He leans back in his chair, crossing both big arms across his broad chest. “I doubt Eli’s going to clear me to go spy on your best friend Vincent.”

“Then it’s good I’m not sending you to spy on Vincent.” Pierce tucks one hand into the pocket of his expensive suit. “I’d like for you to canvass the area and determine if it would be a decent location for us to set up a second campus.” Pierce continues on, oblivious to my presence in the doorway. “We’re doing too much on the East Coast and in the Midwest for us to not have a presence there.” He pauses, running his tongue along his teeth. “And I have information that there could be some activity in the Nashville area that I would like to keep tabs on.”

Zeke’s expression is skeptical, but like Pierce, he doesn’t seem to notice I’m listening in on their conversation either. I shouldn’t be, but I can’t make myself walk away.

“So you want me to go property hunting?” He shakes his head. “I’m not sure I’m the best man for the job. I don’t know anything about what we need or what sort of property might work.”

Pierce sighs, eyes dropping to the floor. “I don’t disagree with you, but Elise is adamant that she cannot leave to help you. She will however be able to take emails and phone calls with any questions you may have. I’m sure that will be?—”

“I could go.” The offer jumps right out of my mouth and drags both men’s attention my way. They stare at me long enough that I feel the need to explain. “I’ve been working with Elise for a couple weeks now, and while I might not know everything, I have a decent grasp of what it takes to keep this place up and running and what the requirements would be if we needed another location.” I chew my lower lip, brain racing. “Of course I would have questions about how extensive you would want the facilities to be, but I’m sure I could be useful.”

Pierce studies me for a second before asking, “You would be comfortable traveling?”

I lift one shoulder. “I mean, I wouldn’t be traveling alone, right?” My eyes move to where Zeke sits. “I think I would be perfectly fine.” I trust Zeke to keep me safe. When he’s with me I’m not scared of anything. Not other people. Not my own thoughts. Not the future or the past.

Pierce’s lips press into a considering line as he turns to Zeke. “Would that be an agreeable solution for you?”

Zeke’s gaze rests on me, heavy and focused. I can almost feel it sinking into my skin. He slowly nods. “I think Savannah would be very helpful to have with me.”

A smile blooms across my face, because Zeke doesn’t say things he doesn’t mean. If he didn’t want me to go, he would find a way to gently make it clear he doesn’t think it’s a good idea. So if he says he thinks I’ll be helpful, he genuinely means it.

And I haven’t been helpful to anyone in so long.

“It’s settled then.” Pierce stands from the desk, rubbing his palms together. “I’ll arrange your travel and let Rico know you’ll be flying out today. Touch base with Isaac so he can book your accommodations.”

My eyes widen. “Today?”

Pierce turns to me. “Is that a problem?”

I shake my head. “No, but I don’t have anything packed.”

Pierce’s lips quirk in a smile as his eyes go to Zeke. “Don’t worry. I don’t expect you to be ready in ten minutes like he is.” He strides from the room, passing me before turning back. “I appreciate your assistance with this, Savannah.” His gaze becomes pointed. “And, so we’re clear, this will mean you are officially on Alaskan Security’s payroll.”

I’ve been on the fence about that, but now it’s time to shit or get off the pot. I find the decision remarkably easy to make. “I’m okay with that.”