Page 29 of Pack and Forth
Gerri clucked her tongue again, her tone turning sly. “Speaking of Rex and Nash...how are things going with you three? Any juicy developments I should know about?”
Kira felt her cheeks warm, and she was grateful Gerri couldn’t see her blushing. “Gerri! We’re supposed to be talking about the case, not my love life.”
Gerri cackled, clearly enjoying Kira’s discomfort. “Oh, please. The case will still be there in five minutes. But I want to know all the details about you and those two gorgeous wolves. Have they swept you off your feet yet? Made you howl at the moon?”
Kira groaned, burying her face in her free hand. “As I said before, I am not having this conversation with you.”
“Fine, fine,” Gerri said, her tone turning mischievous. “But mark my words, Kira Cress. You’re going to fall and you’re going to fall hard. Those two are going to pounce any minute now. And when they do...well, let’s just say you’re in for the ride of your life.”
Kira made a strangled noise, halfway between a laugh and a whimper. “Good-bye, Gerri,” she said firmly, reaching for the end call button.
“Wait, wait!” Gerri cried, her voice turning serious again. “In all seriousness, Kira...be careful. Watch your back, all right?”
Kira softened, touched by the genuine concern in Gerri’s voice. “I will,” she promised. “And thank you, Gerri. For everything.”
She hung up the phone, her mind spinning with this new information. Jonson Gates...a disgruntled ex-employee with a vindictive streak. It wasn’t much to go on, but it was more than she’d had before.
She thought back to the man who had saved her life that morning, the dark-haired stranger with the piercing blue eyes. There was something about him...something that tugged at the edges of her memory. But try as she might, she couldn’t place him.
SIXTEEN
Kira thought about her romantic weekend with Rex and couldn’t wipe the smile off her face as she went about her day. Memories of their time together interrupted her thoughts, sending delightful shivers down her spine. The connection between them had grown stronger, leaving her with a mix of contentment and excitement for what the future might hold.
As she settled into her apartment after a long day, her phone buzzed with an incoming call. Kira’s heart skipped a beat when she saw Nash’s name on the screen. She answered, curious about the reason for his call.
“Hey, Kira,” Nash’s warm voice greeted her. “I was wondering if you’d like to join me for a special date night. I have something out of this world planned for you.”
Kira was intrigued by the hint of mystery in his words. “Out of this world, huh? You’ve got my attention. When and where?”
Nash chuckled, his enthusiasm evident. “I’ll pick you up at 7:00 p.m. sharp. Bring a jacket. Trust me; you won’t want to miss this.”
Kira agreed, eager to see what Nash had in store for her. As she hung up, she couldn’t help but marvel at the effort both Nash and Rex were putting into winning her heart.
At precisely 7:00 p.m., Nash arrived at Kira’s door, a boyish grin on his face. He led her to a waiting car that whisked them away to a now familiar private airstrip. Kira grinned as they boarded the same private jet Rex had her in.
“Nash, seriously, where are we going?” Kira asked, her curiosity growing as she settled into the plush leather seat of the private jet. She raised an eyebrow, trying to read Nash’s expression for any hint of their destination.
Nash grinned, his green eyes sparkling with mischief. He leaned closer, his voice taking on a playful, conspiratorial tone. “Well, if I told you, it would ruin the surprise, wouldn’t it? But I can give you a clue: it’s a place where dreams come true and the impossible becomes possible.”
Kira laughed, shaking her head. “Always the mysterious one, aren’t you? Fine, I’ll play along. But this better be good, Jeter.”
“Oh, trust me, beautiful,” Nash winked, his hand brushing against hers, sending a tingle up her arm. “When have I ever let you down?”
As the jet took off, Kira couldn’t help but feel impressed by Nash’s thoughtfulness and effort. She watched him from the corner of her eye, admiring the way his face lit up with excitement as they discussed the possibilities of their destination.
“Let me guess,” Kira teased, tapping her chin in mock contemplation. “You’re whisking me away to a secret hideout where you’ll reveal your true identity as a master magician, ready to dazzle me with your sleight of hand and charming wit.”
Nash clutched his heart, feigning offense. “Hey, don’t underestimate my magic skills! I’ll have you know I can make a coin disappear and reappear behind your ear without breaking a sweat.”
“A coin trick? Be still, my beating heart,” Kira gasped, her eyes wide with exaggerated amazement.
They both burst into laughter, the sound filling the cabin and easing any remaining tension. Nash reached for Kira’s hand, intertwining their fingers. “In all seriousness, though, I can’t wait for you to see what I have planned. I hope you’ll love it as much as I do.”
Kira squeezed his hand, her heartwarming at his sincerity. “I’m sure I will, Nash. You’ve already put so much thought into this. I can’t imagine not loving every second of it.”
The anticipation built as they soared through the night sky, the city lights twinkling below them like a sea of stars. Kira found herself leaning closer to Nash, drawn in by his enthusiasm and the promise of a memorable evening together.
“You know,” she said, her voice soft and playful, “if this date is half as intriguing as you are, I might just have to stick around to unravel all your mysteries.”