Page 26 of Securing His Heart

“Hey, Mina,” he paused, even though he wanted to keep following Lindy, he acknowledged that she would need a few minutes to herself. “How long will it take to get the pass Ms. Jones was talking about, and do you need some identification from me?”

Mina smiled, the blue eyes behind the glasses she wore, assessing. Her dark hair caught in a bun at the nape of her neck. “Morning Mr. Swanson. I’ll need your driver’s license. It’ll take me about an hour to get everything organized, if you want to come back then we can head down to building security to get you fixed up.”

“Perfect, thanks.” He headed in the direction he’d seen Lindy go. Chris had scoped the area as he’d chatted with the receptionist. Noting the open plan set up and the corridor in which Lindy had disappeared down.

Quite a few of the desks remained unoccupied, dark screens sitting on the tabletops—the workday for some hadn’t started. Did they work in shifts? Or did everyone arrive at the last minute.

He’d need to observe the comings and goings of the staff, discreetly, of course. The last thing he wanted was to give himself away to the staff. Which reminded him, he and Lindy needed to come up with a plausible reason for him to be around her constantly.

The faint trace of Lindy’s perfume led him to her, but Chris would’ve found her anyway. He had a second sense when it came to her. Always knew instinctively where she was.

Lindy was behind her desk in her office, with her laptop open. Her eyes were closed and it appeared as if she was meditating.

An air of peace surrounded her and Chris wished that he could give her that type of peace all the time.

The pressures of expectation from those around her must be a lot for her to handle, but handle it she did, and he admired her even more for what she was doing.

Her eyes popped open and she exhaled before looking at his direction. “I’m sorry. I haven’t been very nice to you and all you’ve done is look out for me when you didn’t have to.”

He was at her side in seconds. “You have nothing to be sorry for, Linds. I know this is difficult for you to deal with, on top of everything you’re already coping with. But I promise you I won’t get in your way. I won’t interfere with your workday.” Chris took hold of her hands and tugged, pulling her up.

Once she was standing, he wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tight.

Her body relaxed against his.

As peace had surrounded her while meditating, a peace now surrounded him with having her in his arms.

“It’s going to be okay. We’re going to find out what’s going on and you’ll be able to live your life without the worry of someone trying to harm you.” He said the words as much as reassurance for him as it was for her.

“And then you’ll go.” Sadness tinged her words, cutting him to the core. Was this Lindy’s way of saying she didn’t want him to leave?

That she wanted to explore what was building between them?

Chris hooked a finger under her chin and lifted it so she was looking at him. He wanted to see her reaction when he asked his next question. “Do you want me to stay?”

Her eyes widened and flashed with…hope…before she blinked and it disappeared. “Is that possible or something you’d even want?”

The conversation they were having was heavy for first thing in the morning, but like everything with them, it fit the journey they were embarking on.

“A week ago, I was looking forward to heading back home.” He smoothed a lock of hair that’d fallen over her face. “Now, though, the thought of going back doesn’t sit well with me at all.”

A small cry erupted from Lindy, before her hands were behind his head and pulling him down so their lips could meet.

Life had thrown so many things his way.

Dangerous, life ending situations.

This moment right here felt like everything he’d gone through had been leading up to Lindy.

His lips coaxed hers open and their tongues dueled as her fingers dug into his back, he welcomed the sharp pain from her nails.

He trailed his mouth down her jaw until he found that sensitive spot on her neck again, the one that had her knees weakening.

Chris bit and soothed the bite with a sweep of his tongue. Her groan of pleasure filled his ears. He cock was rock hard against his zipper.

“Why do we always start something we can’t finish?” Lindy moaned, as he palmed her breast through her blouse.

“I don’t know. Our timing sucks?”