Page 8

Chapter Eight

Luke

I do my best to focus on my work, but I can't stop myself from glancing across the table at Sera from time to time. When I do, my assistant, Andy, and my co-lead, Steve, both look at me... with wildly different expressions.

Andy is excited for me. He's often pestered me about finding a woman. Steve looks pissed , probably because he knows Sera works for TechGuard.

There's no way for me to explain in a way he'll understand... She would never betray me. It’s a feeling I get in my gut when I look at her. She might technically be a stranger, but she doesn't feel like one. Even considering her as a stranger seems like a betrayal.

It's midnight when I text her again.

Luke: Are you sure you're okay? Has something happened?

Ever since returning from her coffee break, she's had this... aura. Before Sera, I never would've used words like aura , but it's no surprise that she's changed me.

Sera: I'm just trying to focus on the task at hand.

Luke: Did Steve say something to you when you went to get coffee? I saw him follow you.

Sera: It's fine.

Her words say one thing, but her posture is tight, her expression no longer her usual bubbly, excited self.

Luke: Tell me.

She looks up, catching my eye. Without her needing to say or text anything, I get a clear message... You're not going to quit, are you? I smirk and shake my head. She smiles as if happy I can read her so easily. She quickly taps out a reply on her phone.

Sera: I don't want to cause any trouble between you and your colleagues. He has every right to be suspicious. I work for a company that should, technically speaking, be on your list of suspects. He just voiced that concern, that's all. I don't blame him. And I don't want you to say anything to him.

Luke: You've got a mature perspective about his suspicion. Maybe something else is bothering you?

Sera: I'm still betting on you implanting a chip in my brain, Luke. You're reading my mind way too easily.

Luke: You seem sad. Not angry, not offended, not outraged at Steve's suggestion... You seem SAD, Sparkplug, and that's got me thinking.

She smooths her hand over her head, flattening some curls that have sprung loose from her bun. She looks so beautiful. It's been an effort this entire time not to rush around the table and embrace her in front of my team.

Sera: When Steve mentioned TechGuard, it got me thinking about home... Graham, my boss. He's married to the woman who saved my life. My parents always had issues, but during my teenage years, they got violent with each other. Eleanor taught IT at my school. She would stay late with me, encouraging my love of computers and, eventually, convinced her husband, Graham, to hire me at TechGuard.

Luke: She sounds like a wonderful woman.

Sera: And now she's dying.

Sera stares bleakly across the room, her shoulders slumped.

Sera: She has glioblastoma multiforme, a rare brain cancer requiring experimental treatment. She's like a mom to me. I don't see my parents much. They are who they've always been. But Eleanor is different. She's my best friend and my parental figure.

As I process this news, a selfish thought crosses my mind. There's no way I'll be able to persuade Sera to leave the East Coast. She's too kindhearted to leave this woman during her difficult time.

When the conference ends, we're over. Unless we want to start a long-distance relationship... and who the hell wants that? But surely it would be better than never seeing her again, than imagining her with someone else, another man's hands moving over her luscious body...

Luke: I'm so sorry. That's awful.

Sera: I'm going to be there for her. Whatever happens, she won't go through this alone. She never let me go through anything alone.

Luke: You're an incredible person. She's lucky to have you.

Sera: This trip has been amazing, helping me forget about it for a time, but that conversation brought it all back.

Luke: It's difficult not to tell Steve to cool his jets.

Sera: Don't do that. It's natural that he's suspicious. I don't think you can blame him. Anyway, I'm going to get back to it. In case you haven't noticed, people are sort of watching us.

She's right: Andy with his big, encouraging grin, Steve with a look of suspicion.

Luke: I was in the foster care system as a kid. A man, Victor, mentored me. Without him, I never would've discovered my love of computers. I'd be devastated if he was going through anything like that. If Eleanor ever needs help, you let me know.

She looks up at me with wide eyes.

Sera: That's so generous. Thank you. Luckily, Graham managed to get her into the latest treatment. But seriously, I'll keep that in mind.

We work until the early hours of the morning. When I notice how exhausted everyone is, I tell them to get some sleep. I give Sera a ride back to her hotel.

"You better not come in," she says once we're outside.

"You know I'll get carried away..."

She fiddles with her laptop bag, nodding. "If we do—that—I don't want to be half asleep."

"If? I think you mean when ."

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 me kid . 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 how couldn't I. 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."

I grind my teeth. "She's not what you think she is, Victor. You're not here. You haven't met her."

"I trust your judgment," he concedes. "Plus, the company isn't mine anymore. These are your decisions to make. But I can also hear something in your voice I've never heard before."

"That's because it's never been there before," I tell him. "But I won't let it blind me. If I thought she was playing me, I'd take the necessary steps. But she isn't."

"And you know that because..."

I just know. When I look into her eyes, I feel a connection I've never experienced before. I feel a closeness I never would've dreamed existed before I laid eyes on her. When we touch, it's like my body is receiving sustenance I've gone too long without. We're bonded on a deep level. We're fused. We belong. I don't care how insane that sounds...

Or, perhaps, I do, because I don't say any of this to Victor. Somehow, I don't think he'd understand.

"Is there anything else?" I say.

He's quiet for a moment before he responds. "Fair enough, Luke. You know I only want the best for you and the company."

"I get that, but you're wrong about this."

After ending the call, I text Sera.

Luke: What are you doing for lunch?

Sera: I don't have any plans... why?

Luke: I've got a surprise for you.

I haven't arranged anything, yet. But I will. To see the smile on her gorgeous face, I'd do anything.

Luke: Meet me on the roof of your hotel at midday.

Sera: Okay, Mr. Mysterious.