Page 36 of Gluttony

“I think…,” she began, meeting his gaze—with effort, “your set up is pretty clean.” Turning to glance over her shoulder, she noticed there was no tower in sight. Turning back, she remarked, “Off-site?” Most people kept their computer towers right next to or on top of their desks. However, most people weren’t running software meant for use only by people with the highest security clearance. And, guessing from what she saw on his monitors, whatever Red was doing wasn’t strictly legal, which meant, if he was smart, his rig was stored off-site, where it couldn’t be confiscated during a raid of the compound. Also, if the hackedwere able to trace the origin of the hack, they couldn’t follow it back to the actual location of the hacker.

It's howsheworked.Work smarter, safer.

He dropped his arms to his hips and grinned. “Off-shore.”

She nodded. “Same.”

His grin grew. “Far Horizon.”

“Arcadia,” she offered, speaking the name of the retired tanker ship off the coast of Oregon that housed the servers running her shit. Off-shore, anchored in international waters, they were untouchable by US government agents. It wasn’t a typical white hat set up, but she wasn’t the typical white hat.

Red tipped his chin in acknowledgement. “Is that a nod toResident Evil?”

Val chuckled, dropping her arms and shrugging. “I didn’t name the ship, but I did pick it because of my unnatural fascination with all things Mila Jovovich.”

His eyes lit up, humor brightening his tanned features. “I knew that about you, and I always figured you had a girl crush.”

“Nah, I just appreciate that she can kick ass and still look like she just stepped off a runway in Milan.” She was smiling, the anxiety she’d carried into the compound wasn’t as heavy, and all it took was some pointless bantering—and a look at his sweet computer set up.

Suddenly, the tension in the room turned to stone, and the smile and humor dropped from his face. Slowly, he moved away from the doorway, and just as slowly, his eyes never leaving hers, he closed the door. Though it made no sound, it felt like he’d slammed it shut.

“You came to me, my Daisy….” God, how the hell was she supposed to remain standing against a voice that was meant to bring her to her knees?

For the first time, they were alone. In real life. Person to person. Face to face. Only feet from each other.

“Y-yes,” she squeaked, and immediately hated how vulnerable she sounded.

Shaking his head, he grunted. “Guess I didn’t need the restraints.”

Frowning, she asked, “What?”

Ignoring her question, his eyes darkened to pitch black. “You came to me…in real life…no screens…no bullshit separating us.”

She couldn’t do anythingbutnod.

OMIGERD!

Silence reigned in the room, or it would if her pounding heart wasn’t hammering in her ears.

Say something! Take control! Show him that you mean business, that you?—

But he beat her to it.

“To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?” he asked, taking a single step forward.

Swallowing, she answered, “You know why I’m here.” Raspy, thick, her voice didn’t sound like hers. She sounded like Jessica Rabbit…after a two pack a day habit for forty years.

As she watched, Red flattened one of his big hands against his chest, then slid it, slowly, agonizingly sensuously down his massive body, over jacked abs concealed behind his t-shirt, and down to the button on his jeans. She watched because she couldn’t tear her eyes away even if the place were on fire. When his hand began unbuttoning his jeans, she gasped, her gaze flying back up to meet his once more.

He arched a single eyebrow, his top lip curling. “You came to see the tattoo.” He took another step closer.

In the background, from outside in the hallway, she heard a woman ask, “What tattoo?” But she couldn’t be assed to acknowledge whoever the hell that was.

Apparently not bothered by the eavesdropper, Red took another step closer. “Youdon’twant to see the tattoo?” Red inquired, his voice dropping on the last word.

Huh? Shit—for a minute she’d forgotten about the fucking tattoo. That thing had caused so much trolling and fuckery online, she couldn’t appreciate the fact that her name was inked on his body. Also—what the fuck?

Thankfully, that mental interlude seemed to weaken his sexual pull just enough for her to rub her goddamn brain cells together!

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