Page 34 of Out of the Shadows

“That won’t be necessary. Our cybersecurity division isn’t taking on new clients at the moment. As far as personal security goes, our teams are booked out through the end of next year.” Neither of the statements were true.

“I’d be more than happy to pay double your fee for both the cyber and personal security. Happy and willing.”

The hand on his knee began to slowly climb higher, and he arched an eyebrow at her. Goddamn, the woman was bold. Her husband was right there. Gavin hadn’t missed her double entendre and was sure her husband hadn’t either. After all, the woman wasn’t being subtle in the slightest. But no, thank you.

No. Make that hell no.

“Gavin, sweetie?” Bean said, pressing her front to his back. One of her hands settled against his neck, and she trailed her fingers over the skin below his ear. Unlike with Constance, the feel of Bean’s fingernails on him had his heart hammering in his chest.

The hand climbing his thigh stilled. Uncrossing his arms, he dislodged Constance’s hand.

“Yes, honey,” he said, turning his head so he nuzzled the side of Bean’s face.

“Can we dance?”

“Of course,” he said, standing.

“Constance, I wish my company could be of help, but as I said, we’re maxed out for the foreseeable future.”

“Even for double your fee?” Incredulous disbelief colored her features.

“As wonderful as the double fee sounds, we’re loyal to ourcurrent clients. I’ll let you know if anything opens up in either division, but it most likely won’t change until late next year.”

As he spoke, Bean molded herself to his side. He gladly put his arm around her, pulling her even closer. So what if his hand dropped low on her hip so he was borderline grabbing her ass? It was absolutely fine, because he caught Constance’s glance at his hand and the resulting press of her lips.

“If you’ll excuse me, Constance. My lady wants to dance, and God knows, I can’t ever say no to her.”

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

“You doing all right there, boss man?” Bean whispered.

She tried to convince herself that the reason she kept her voice low was to protect their cover. Not that her brain was off-kilter because she was dancing with Gavin—her boss. That his arms being wrapped around her were short-circuiting her brain. That the hand she had resting on his solid chest made her want to see how strong the rest of him was.

No.

That wasnotthe cause of her whisper. Not at all.

Right.

Not wanting to think about how comfortable and thrilling dancing with him felt, she focused on the job at hand. On their purpose for being at the event in the first place. She glanced up at him. Even though her three-and-a-half-inch heels brought her closer to Gavin’s six-two, she still had to crane her neck to look up at the man, and her lips tipped up at the dour expression on his face.

She had to tease him. How could she not?

“What? You’re telling me you’re not interested indiscussing Constance’s start-up’sneedsin more detail?” She grinned when he let out a low grumble.

He took a moment to glare at her before letting out a sigh. “Did you hear that woman? I know you couldn’t see it, but she was getting handsy under the damn table.”

He shuddered, and she couldn’t hold back a chuckle.

“It’s not funny,” he muttered.

“Oh, I beg to differ.” She patted his chest and didnotthink about how muscular he was. “You know, I’ve never seen you this frazzled before.”

“Frazzled?”

It was stupidly cute how his eyebrows pulled down into a sharp frown, as if she’d just insulted the very core of his being. She may be the only person in the world who’d describe a man with this much intensity ascute. But whatever. “Don’t worry. On the outside, you looked like your regular James Bond self. All cool and collected. But I know you, Frazier. I know when you’re freaking out and, yes, frazzled.”

“Gavin.”

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