Page 32 of Isolated (Harper Security Ops #21)

Landen

“I don’t think you ever answered my question.”

I couldn’t remember a time in my life when I’d practiced so much restraint. If one thing could be said, Iris was not making it easy on me.

The way she’d offered her body up to me, telling me to take her home… I didn’t know how I found the strength not to drag her out of that orchard, abandoning our basket of apples in the process.

I would have.

God, I desperately wanted to have that with her.

But this woman made me want to do everything right.

And while there wasn’t anything I thought that would be wrong about taking that step with her, I simply didn’t want to rush a single thing and risk screwing up my chance to have something meaningful with her.

Fortunately, Iris seemed to be enjoying the heat building between us. She liked the flirting and playfulness just as much as I did.

I could be content for a long while with intimate moments like we’d had earlier today in the orchard. But there were limits to how much I could take all at once, which is why I decided it was best to bring her out for lunch after we finished our morning of apple-picking.

Taking her home immediately was out of the question, because I wasn’t quite ready to be done spending time with her today, and I needed just a bit of time with as much distance as I could bear to put between us.

I figured a table at a restaurant would do the trick and cool just a bit of the burn I felt for her.

Even better, Iris had just made a statement with zero context, which meant I was almost entirely focused on figuring that out and not thinking about how strongly I might regret not taking her up on her offer to drive her home and have my way with her.

“Which question didn’t I answer?”

She sighed. “Well, I guess you gave me part of an answer, but not all of it. When I asked you about whether you’d always wanted to be a private investigator, you said that you didn’t always feel that way.

And I understand why we got completely sidetracked, enjoyed it, if I’m honest, but I guess I’m still wondering how you wound up becoming a private investigator. ”

Warmth moved through me. Warmth and appreciation. Not only because Iris cared enough to follow up on the forgotten piece of our conversation from earlier, but also that she wasn’t upset we’d gotten sidetracked in the midst of it .

“I enlisted in the military shortly after I graduated from high school.”

Iris leaned in with rapt attention. It was as though nothing but me and the words I had to share were all that mattered to her.

“I picked up all sorts of useful skills while I was enlisted. And years later, after I’d finished my time there, I’d learned about Harper Security Ops.

I went in, talked to Royce, who’s the owner, and he hired me.

It took a little while for me to figure out precisely where I wanted to be while I was there, but following a few months of working in some of the other units like self-defense or private security, I wanted more than just the physical challenge.

My body gets what it needs every morning when I go to the gym, so I wanted something that would test my mind.

That’s why I wound up in private investigation.

And I enjoy it, no matter how challenging it gets sometimes. ”

Understanding dawned as Iris sat back. “I love that. It reminds me a lot of myself.”

“You didn’t always want to be in the industry you’re in?”

She shrugged. “I’m not sure I knew that it existed in this capacity when I was younger.

I had no clear path when I was in high school.

The only thing I was sure of was that I wanted to work with people.

Not just colleagues, but clients, too. I wanted to use whatever skills I developed to help people in some way.

I eventually learned I had a knack for spotting the things that make other people great.

Putting it all together, I went to school and got a degree in marketing, eventually turning my skill set and interests into a career that I love. ”

I didn’t have to see her work to know she excelled at what she did. Of course, the constant promotions were an indication of that. “It’s a career you love and something you’re clearly exceptional at. I think we’re both lucky to be where we are.”

The only thing I might have changed would be getting to this place with her much sooner.

It was strange. We’d known each other for so long now, had known what one another did for a living, but neither of us knew the details about how we each got to where we are now.

If I’d had any doubts before this date about whether there’d be anything for us to talk about, this was proof that there was still plenty to learn. And I was eager for every morsel.

Our meals arrived, and the moment we were alone again, Iris asked, “So, how long do you have to make a decision?”

“How long do I have to make a decision about what?” I countered.

“About whether you like me enough to tell your mom about me?”

I snorted, cocking a brow. Lucy Fox might just lose her mind. “Already wanting to meet my mom?”

Laughter spilled out of her, the sound causing a flutter in my chest. “I’m merely trying to save her from unnecessary work.

I mean, she’ll go through the trouble of finding someone suitable for you, and you won’t be able to break her heart by declining.

I’m just wondering how long she was planning to wait for you to figure things out on your own before she attempted to play matchmaker. ”

My lips twitched. “You’re not worried, are you?”

Her head jerked back a touch. “Worried? About what?”

She might have wanted to appear unbothered by the idea, but the trembling in her voice gave her away. “You’re worried about the same thing I was when I crashed your night out with your sisters.”

“Well, you put in such effort, and I wouldn’t want it all to be for nothing,” she reasoned.

Despite feeling like I’d needed just a few feet of space to ease that magnetic pull toward her, I couldn’t stop myself from reaching across the table and covering her hand with mine. “There’s no need for you to worry, sunshine. I’m not going anywhere.”

The slightest hint of tension she’d been holding on to seemed to vanish as her shoulders sagged with relief. “That’s new.”

“What is?”

Iris angled her wrist back enough to link her fingers with mine. Apparently, she craved the closeness as much as I did. “The name you’ve called me a couple of times now today. Sunshine. Where does it come from?”

“Do you not like it?”

Her features softened. “I love it. I just wonder what made you choose it.”

“That’s how I see you,” I explained, noting the way her eyes widened with surprise.

“I don’t think it should come as a surprise that I’ve seen quite a few unsavory things in my line of work.

There have been some awful days and horrible cases I’ve worked on throughout the years.

But for four days every week, I get this bright ray of light when I walk into the gym and see you there.

No matter what I’m dealing with, I always feel so much better after I’ve spent some time with you. ”

Tears welled in her eyes. Iris took a few moments to blink them back and compose herself. “I had no idea you ever looked at me like that. It’s still such a shock. But even if I didn’t know I was doing it, I’m glad I was able to take your mind off whatever was bothering you.”

I wondered how that would change now that things were taking a different turn between us.

I could imagine—and hope—that there’d be more of the same.

Because it was unlikely that I’d leave the gym now and only have my thoughts lingering on her for a little while afterward.

I suspected thoughts of her would pop into my mind throughout the day, just like I’d seen happen with so many of my friends at work.

“I hope I can do the same for you.”

“You have, Landen. Trust me. My weekends were normally spent with me working several hours from home, so this has already been a huge change for me.”

“Maybe I’ll have to set up a time for you to meet my mom sooner than I thought, if only to make sure your time isn’t completely occupied by work,” I reasoned.

She beamed at me. “I would love that. Introduce me to the whole family. Do you have any siblings?”

I released her hand and sat back, shaking my head. “I’m an only child.”

“Oh.” I couldn’t miss the way her tone had changed at the loss of that connection to me. “What about your dad?”

It wasn’t that I didn’t want to tell her the truth. Iris was so sweet, and this news was the kind of thing that would dull her mood even more. “He died ten years ago.”

Iris gasped, her hand flying up to cover her mouth. “Oh, I’m so sorry. I had no idea.”

“I know. It’s okay.”

“Are you… Were you close?”

I nodded. “We were, so it was particularly difficult in the beginning. My mom and I are both doing much better now. She’s very involved at our church, and I’ve had my work and friends. And now I’ve got you. I’m okay.”

She shook her head, sadness consuming her. “I can’t imagine how awful that must have been for you. I’m really sorry if I brought up bad memories.”

“You didn’t. I promise it’s okay. I don’t mind talking about him. Why don’t you tell me a bit more about your family, though? I know you’ve got those two sisters. Any brothers?”

“Nope. It’s just the three girls. Sometimes, I wonder how my parents still have any hair left on their heads for things we put them through.”

Her mood shifted as memories seemed to flitter through her mind. “That look tells me you three might have been a bit wild. I mean, I know you went around getting lost at the beach. What did your sisters do?”

Iris’s laughter filled the air around us. I was glad to see her in better spirits. “Oh, well, let me start by telling you about the middle sister, Eleni…”