Page 48 of Isolated (Harper Security Ops #21)

Landen

I was leaning over the front fender of my project vehicle with the garage door open when I heard a car approaching.

My lips curved into a smile, because without even looking, I knew who was here.

Iris.

We’d spent the night at her place last night. Although I didn’t regret giving her the information that I’d found about who had been behind the sabotage at her job, it was safe to say, I’d been slightly concerned about how it would impact her.

Fortunately, after we went through every last piece of evidence I’d gathered and put together what she’d need when she’d walked through those doors on Monday, Iris proved just how resilient she was.

I didn’t think she lacked thoughts about the betrayal, and I was convinced she was hurt by it, but she didn’t allow it to ruin our night.

After sleeping in this morning, having breakfast, and spending some time back in her bed, I left to come home while she walked next door to have lunch with Walter.

We were going to spend the night at my place tonight, so I didn’t mind giving her the time to spend with the old man.

The guy was lonely, and spending an hour having lunch with Iris made them both happy.

In due time, perhaps once he was convinced Iris wasn’t leaving, I suspected I’d have a meal or two with him.

I finished tightening the bolt, stood, and walked behind the car to the mouth of the garage. And as I stood there while Iris got out of her car, I got it.

Whenever I would go to her house and find her waiting outside on the porch for me, I always thought it was something she did for me.

No doubt, I loved it. But now I realized it wasn’t necessarily the case.

Because if she experienced anything in those moments like I was now, seeing her walk toward me with a smile on her face, it was no surprise she’d want to do it every time.

Iris closed the distance between us and threw her arms over my shoulders. “I missed you.”

“It’s only been a couple of hours.”

She pulled back, cocked a brow, and countered, “Are you suggesting that it wasn’t long enough for you to miss me?”

“I would never.” My lips twitched. “I missed you terribly. Honestly, I don’t even know how I’m functioning.”

Her gaze narrowed as she playfully shoved me. “What’s all this?”

Iris had directed her attention to the vehicles behind me. Now was as good a time as any to share it with her. “These are my cars.”

“I presumed as much. Why haven’t I ever seen you drive them?”

I swung out my arm and pointed to each. “This one doesn’t currently run, and that one, I would only take out on a special occasion.”

Her head tipped to the side, and she eyed me curiously. “Tell me more.”

Until she said it, I didn’t think I’d get emotional, but there was something about Iris wanting to know more that made something heat and swell in my chest. Leading her to the car that was meant for special occasions, I swallowed down the emotions and spoke through the thickness in my throat.

“This is the 1968 Corvette that my dad and I did a restoration on together.”

Her hand flew to her chest. “Oh, Landen. I had no idea.”

“Yeah, it was kind of our thing. He loved cars, always wanted to tinker with them, and he taught me all about them. And about a year after I started driving, we started this project. We didn’t rush it.

Usually only worked on it on the weekends.

And though it took us a while to complete it, there are a lot of good memories I have of building this thing with him. ”

Tears filled her eyes. “I can’t imagine how proud you must feel to walk into your garage and see it here. I think it’s wonderful you kept the car and have such lovely memories of building it with your dad.”

With my arm around her waist, I gave her hip a squeeze. “Me, too. ”

Following a beat of silence, she asked, “And what about this one?”

I sighed, urging her to the opposite side of the garage. “This one is the one we didn’t get to do together.”

“Forgive my ignorance, but what is it?”

I chuckled, feeling the heaviness in my chest lighten. “It’s a 1950 Chevy 3100. Basically, an old school pickup truck. It was the one project he always wanted to do, but he died before he could complete it.”

“I’m so sorry, Landen.” She pressed her palm to my chest. “So, what are you doing to it?”

“Well, for a long time, I didn’t do anything,” I admitted.

“It sat here, untouched, for years. I don’t know.

I guess I couldn’t bring myself to work on it without him.

But about a year ago, I decided it was time to finish it.

My dad had managed to get the interior reupholstered, so that was already done.

But then I had the paint job done to the color he wanted.

Everything else, all the mechanical work, I’m doing myself. ”

Iris stepped out of my hold and moved to look inside the truck. She took her time, marveling at the craftsmanship and even ran her hand over the leather. “It’s stunning. And I love the color. It really is beautiful.”

I smiled, unable to express how this made me feel. Seeing her run her fingertips over the surface of it did something to me I couldn’t explain. Maybe it was that she had even taken an interest in learning about it at all that made me feel so emotional.

There was no doubt about it now. I was in love with this woman, and I was never letting her go.

Surprisingly, Iris pressed for more. “Was it purchased not running? ”

I shook my head. “No. It ran. But I pulled out the engine and transmission, because my dad had wanted to swap in an engine and transmission from a Camaro.”

Her eyes rounded. “You can do that?”

“I can.”

Iris stared at me like I was some sort of superhero.

Something washed over her expression, and she moved in my direction again.

Draping one arm over my shoulder, she pressed her palm against my chest. “You are the most amazing man I’ve ever met.

I’m not sure there’s anything I’d ever be able to teach you. ”

With my lips mere inches from hers, I said, “I’m sure there’s something. I’m always up for learning things. And I do have something I’ve been curious about for a while now.”

She arched a curious brow. “Oh?”

I brushed my mouth against hers, inhaling the scent of her. “I’ve been wondering if I’d like seeing you naked and bent over the hood of this thing. In my head, it’s always magnificent, but I guess I can’t be certain.”

Iris nipped at my lip. “Well, I think we should test out your theory. But how bold are you feeling?”

“What do you mean?”

She shifted her attention to the open garage door. “Anyone could see us.”

“Then they better not look, or they’ll be jealous.”

A mischievous grin spread across her face. “I think you’re bluffing.”

Iris pressed her body firmly against me. As her lips brushed over mine, my arm clamped around her waist. I quickly took over, deepening the kiss as she parted her lips and gave me access to her mouth .

As soon as our tongues touched, a moan forced its way up her throat. I swallowed that down and allowed my hands to roam over her curves.

I’d never get used to the softness of her. Her lips, her body, her skin, her heart. All of it, soft and yielding and sweet.

Every time we kissed, it was an effort to restrain myself. To take the time to savor it.

Tearing my mouth away, both of us breathing heavily, I said, “I’m not pretending to be unbothered by the possibility of someone catching us.”

“So, it wouldn’t upset you if someone else saw me naked?”

“I never said that.” My teeth nipped at the side of her neck, sending a shiver along her spine. “But nobody is going to see you naked, so I don’t have to worry about that.”

“How can you be so sure?”

I’d barely just started, and her voice was ragged. Filled with desperation.

I licked up the front column of her throat, brought my hands to her hips, and said, “Turn around, and I’ll show you.”

Without waiting for a response, I spun her around. Iris yelped before she laughed. But when I wrapped my arms around her from behind, one hand at her breasts, the other drifting down between her legs, all humor went out the window. She arched her back, grinding her ass against my cock.

And right there, with the garage door open, I stripped her naked, bent her over, and lived out the fantasy that had played out often in my mind .

As great as it had been whenever I imagined it, that fantasy didn’t hold a candle to reality.

Perhaps that was because I was living this out with this stunning woman that I loved more than I ever thought possible.

Iris

I thought I’d be nervous.

As I walked through the parking lot toward the entrance of Mono Mark Solutions, I felt strong, powerful, reassured, and calm.

Part of that was the result of having an airtight plan without any room for error. The other part was knowing that I had Landen right beside me.

We made it to the door, where I took a deep breath.

“Are you ready?” he asked, one hand on the handle.

I nodded. “I’m ready.”

The way this would all go down had played out in my head for days now. I’d worked here long enough to know how the company worked, where people would be, and assumed I’d have no delays on my way to Robert’s office.

But the moment we stepped inside and had turned the corner to head in that direction, I was caught off guard by the sight of Steph and Kasey.

They seemed so happy, so unaffected. At least, they seemed that way until Kasey happened to glance in my direction.

She squeezed Steph’s arm and jerked her chin in my direction.

As Steph spun around, her lips parted in shock .

Landen sensed my dismay and stepped closer, the heat from his body so warm and reassuring. I could do this.

Taking several steps in their direction, I closed the distance between us. Landen stayed right on my heels.

“Iris,” Kasey breathed. It was like she’d had the wind knocked out of her.