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Christian couldn’t remember when he’d enjoyed a dinner more than the one he shared with Aja Blue. While they waited for their meals, they talked and laughed, the earlier tension forgotten. Her shout for him to stop joking about being tased had gutted him. Her terror had been palpable. She’d been through a scary ordeal; he should’ve anticipated her shock. His bad.

While conversation went on around them and people enjoyed their food, he learned about her likes and dislikes, as well as her favorite television shows and movies. They shared a mutual love of rock music and roller coasters. It would’ve been the perfect first date if they were, in fact, on a date.

The only time there was a lull in the conversation was when the server appeared to deliver their meals and then when she removed their finished plates. He had a feeling he’d never run out of topics to discuss with Aja Blue. She was intelligent, well-read, and wickedly funny. He’d been so engrossed in their discussion that he’d almost forgotten that kiss. Almost.

Maybe it wasn’t professional, but he’d made a decision. He would take advantage of their time together. He had no resistance to her, so it was silly to pretend otherwise. Keeping her safe was priority one, and he felt confident he could do that and explore their explosive connection.

His phone vibrated, and he checked the display to see Logan Bradley’s name. “I need to take this. I’ll be right back.”

He scooted out of the booth and headed outside. “Hey, Logan, what’s up?”

“Hey, Christian. I’ve got Luke with me. How are you feeling? I’ve been tased before, and it’s no picnic.”

Christian chuckled. “No, it wasn’t, but I’m fine now. Thanks for the quick work getting me freed.”

“No problem,” Luke said. He’d been a police detective before starting CObrA Securities with Logan, a Navy SEAL. Luke knew his way around a police station.

“Since it looks like something is happening, we’re sending Kayne Serruto and Presley Parrish to assist you. They’ll be there tomorrow morning.”

“Great. That’s a relief.” He’d planned on calling his bosses in the morning to request help, but they were a step ahead as usual.

“Let Kayne or Presley know if you need them to bring additional supplies,” Logan told him.

“I will. Thanks.”

“Also, Tyler will send you footage from the parking lot cameras,” Luke said. “I’m sure the authorities will be all over them, but we knew you’d want a first look at them.”

Once again, they were on top of it. He’d planned on requesting the video earlier, but he’d been sidetracked by the endless questions and interviews at the police station. Then, that kiss had rocked his world and muddled his brain. He was lucky he remembered his name. Only the gnawing hunger building all day had distracted him from the taste of her soft lips. He should’ve called once seated, but the conversation had been enrapturing.

That thought made him pause. He’d been telling himself all along that he could keep his growing feelings for Aja Blue separate from the investigation, but he forgot everything else when he was around her. That wasn’t good. He couldn’t afford to split his attention. His focus needed to be on keeping her safe. Thankfully, Kayne and Presley were coming to assist.

He discussed a few more issues with his bosses and headed back inside the restaurant. Christian stopped dead in his tracks. The stab of jealousy that overcame him was as sharp and shocking as the electricity that had coursed through his body earlier today. Aja Blue was chatting and laughing with a dark-haired man who had the gall to sit in Christian’s seat.

With a deep breath to calm his temper, he marched forward. Aja Blue looked up at him and smiled. His footsteps faltered as his anger vanished—just like that. She was so beautiful that she took his breath away.

Aja Blue held out a hand for him, and he grasped it. “Christian, this is Dr. Seth Mulgrew. He owns the dentist’s office next to my shop. He’s the one who called the police when he noticed the vandalism this morning.”

Seth stood and flashed his perfectly pearly whites. Christian had the insane urge to punch them down his throat. He shook the tooth doctor’s hand and forced himself not to crush his fingers. What was with the malicious tendencies? He’d never been the jealous boyfriend type. If anything, he was apathetic. Not with Aja Blue.

“Nice to meet you, Christian. Aja Blue, I hope you find the person who caused the destruction. Keep me posted. I’ll see you later.”

Christian slid back into the booth, and another wave of irritation hit him when the seat was warm, courtesy of Dr. Seth’s fat ass. Though, of course, it wasn’t. He’d been disgustingly fit with the body of a marathon runner. Christian jerked a thumb over his shoulder. “What’s his story?”

Aja Blue’s eyes widened at his harsh tone. “Seth? What do you mean?”

Seth. She sounded pretty chummy. “What’s up with the good doctor? You two gone out before?”

Aja Blue’s lips curved into a knowing smile, and he felt like a colossal idiot. She’d figured out he was envious. “Well, no. He wouldn’t have time. Seth is happily married with six children.”

Christian’s mouth gaped open. “Six?”

“Yep. They have their very own Brady Bunch. He and his wife planned on four, but the last pregnancy resulted in unexpected triplets.”

“Triplets. Wow.” He was a fool for jumping to conclusions without the facts. “At least he can get a good deal on braces.”

Aja Blue tossed back her head and laughed, and he joined in. His irrational jealousy was something to think about later. The server brought the check, and a small fight ensued over who would pay. Christian won.

He stood and waited for Aja Blue to join him. He placed his palm against her back to guide her from the restaurant and kept it there because he enjoyed touching her.

“What a day,” she said as he helped her inside the SUV and closed her door.

“It’s not over yet,” he told her as he sat behind the wheel and started the engine. Christian glanced over to see her watching him with, if he wasn’t mistaken, unabashed lust. Damn, he hadn’t meant it that way, but now, all the blood in his body rushed south. If she happened to look down, she’d see how much she affected him. “I meant I have the videos to go over from the parking lot and outside your office.”

Was that disappointment he detected, or was he projecting his feelings onto her? Good grief, he was a mess.

“The police gave them to you?”

Christian smiled and shifted into gear. “Not exactly.”

“What does that mean?”

He checked for traffic and replied, “We have our ways.”

#

Aja Blue was having a hard time keeping her feelings for Christian hidden. There was so much to like, and he fascinated her. The more she learned about him, the more her emotions intensified. They had so many shared hobbies. Things she enjoyed doing, he did too. What fun they would have testing the rides at an amusement park or cheering on their favorite teams at a football game. Hiking in national parks and sitting around campfires had also been mutual interests. She would love to do either, or both, with him. And he’d been jealous of Seth! That had to mean the attraction was mutual, right? He certainly kissed like it was.

“I forgot to tell you that two of my associates will arrive tomorrow to assist in protecting you.”

She was glad he would have help, but that meant their time alone would end. That made her sad. Being with him had become her favorite activity. He’d been so open, charming, and attentive at dinner. Aja Blue had a feeling he’d be more reserved and professional around his coworkers.

She still hadn’t officially hired him, but his company was helping all the same. He’d told her about the men he worked for, and they sounded terrific. “I’d like to talk to your bosses to discuss payment.” She wasn’t sure what the fees were, but they had to be high. It didn’t seem like they cut any corners.

“We’ll call them in the morning. Also, I’m having my coworkers bring a security system for your office. No one will be able to break in, guaranteed.”

“There’s no rush.” She told him about sending her employees to work from home.

“Good thinking,” he praised. “That’s one less worry.”

“We’ll talk about installing the new system once Jay is found and the stalker is caught.”

She wasn’t hurting for money, but paying his company’s fees would eat a sizeable chunk of her budget. Having witnessed how CObrA Securities worked, she knew the new alarm wouldn’t be one you could buy over the counter—in other words, pricy.

“I’d like to install it as soon as possible, but I’ll defer to your wishes.” He glanced over at her. “You said Jay was the spokesperson for a new club in town?”

“Yes. The Crystal Galaxy.”

“Why don’t we stop by on the way home and see if they’ve heard from him?”

That was an excellent idea, one she should’ve thought about. “I’d like that.”