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Connor: Does it bother you, Blue?

It should, right?

I try to focus on my work, but I can’t stop glancing up at the camera.

Is he still observing me? What else has he seen?

Mary: Stop stalking me.

Connor: Only if you stop drinking so much coffee.

Mary: So, you are stalking me?

There’s no response this time. Fine, I’ll come to you then. You can’t hide in real life, Mister. I shove my chair back and storm out of my office toward the server room.

Monitoring me like some specimen under a microscope?

I’m halfway there when I spot the head of IT, Richy, coming out of his office. “Hi, Mary.”

“Richy.” I don’t bother stopping or slowing down and open the door with more force than necessary after sliding through my access card. Cold air blasts against my face. Rows upon rows of servers line both walls, humming softly under the harsh glare of fluorescent lights.

As I step inside and round the corner, I catch sight of him.

Laid back and an eyebrow raised at me, he sits in his chair at a desk with his laptop atop it. “Well, hello there. Didn’t think I’d ever see you down here. You want to help me do some penetration?”

I freeze in place, my mouth falling open. “Are you seriously talking about...?”

Connor throws his head back, laughing deeply. “Relax, Blue. Penetration testing is an actual cybersecurity term.” He rests his elbows on the desk. “But I can’t say the thought didn’t cross my mind.”

His hair hangs loose around his face, framing those eyes that seem to see right through me whenever they lock onto mine. And despite knowing full well how infuriating he can be, there’s still something unquestionably attractive about him. Like back in college. Does he know?

Planting my hands on my hips, I try my damndest to keep my cool. “Very charming.”

“I’m just messing with you.” Connor’s smile softens, but there’s a glint in his eye that suggests otherwise. “Penetration testing means trying to gain access to a system illegally to test its security weaknesses.”

Letting out a skeptical hum, I cross my arms over my chest. “Is that what you were doing watching me through the camera? Is stalking part of your job description?”

“Stalking? Nah, I’m doing my job. Making sure everything’s secure around here.”

“Right. Because messaging me about my caffeine intake is vital to company security.”

“I have to assess all potential vulnerabilities.” Those eyes, dark and inscrutable, drift over me in a way that makes me shiver. “Even the… human ones.”

“What do you call it, then? If not stalking?” I tap my foot.

“I was hired to improve security. That includes monitoring the cameras.”

“You were hired to improve security for the company, not stalk me personally.”

“Are you working here?”

“Yes…”

“Do you belong to this company?”

I scowl. “Yes, but—”

“So you also count as part of the company.”

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