Page 21 of Made for You
My head tipped to one side. “Did you interrogate people?”
“No. We had operator investigators who did that. There were occasions when my team needed information and supposedly, I got the dead-eyed black gaze of a great white while getting it.” He shrugged, apparently having accepted the name.
The whole thing made a chuckle slip from my lips. “You seem far too animated for that. I can’t imagine you dead-eyed. But it’s certainly a… creepy image.”
Half his mouth kicked up into a casual grin. “Well, we can always pretend it’s because of the movie if that’s better.”
I laughed. “And Oak?”
He glanced at the doorway behind me like he could see Tristan where he’d stood earlier. “He’s solid.”
“Hmm. I like that.” Maybe I shouldn’t have said that aloud, but something about a man as a solid, reliable tree seemed nice.
For that matter, Bruce could probably go by Oak based on what Gram had told me and what I’d seen so far—unless that whole expert in deception thing proved to be a little too true. However, knowing his line of work—or his former work—entailed subterfuge at least to some degree, it made sense. It didn’t raise the hairs on my arms or give me a bad feeling, and that meant something.
His phone rang, drawing my attention to the device set on a table just behind him within reach of his desk.
“One sec, sorry.” He pulled the receiver—an actual corded phone—and answered. “Go for Saint one.”
His tone had changed. His focus fell to the wall on his left, where clocks showing the time in five time zones ticked away in unison, and yet again, I found myself resisting a swoon.
This was really not like me. I didn’t recall ever feelingswoonyaround a man. Maybe for fictional characters or thinking about the great minds in mathematics. But sitting across from my potential new boss as he did his job had me fluttering internally and feeling a little hot in my suit and that was just… new.
My ex-boyfriend had been a decent guy. I’d made certain I never dated any actual jerks, but the farther I got from my time in California, the clearer it became that I never dated anyone I could actually fall for. I’d always assumed I was too logical and my past too vivid—that those hard-earned lessons about only trusting Gram and maybe myself had meant I wasn’t built for romance.
Every interaction with Bruce save the first one proved otherwise. Even now, in an interview, I liked him way too much. Not admired or found him intriguing. Ilikedhim. I wanted to spend time with him, to know him, and for him to know me.
Distressing and… curious.
“We’ll circle up and discuss. Send whatever you need on the secure networks and we’ll review it before end of day. Very good.” Then he hung up and turned back to me. “I apologize for taking a call during your interview. Normally, I wouldn’t, but that line is reserved for certain clientele. I can explain that all after your intake.”
After the NDAs, no doubt. “Sounds good. I guess I’ll let you get to it and you can let me know if anything pops up that creates questions.” I stood and stretched out my hand.
He took it in his, shook it, and released me, all firm, sure, and professional.
And yet.All that professionalism, the quick shake and release, the firm assurance in it—none of it could cover the flood of warmth the contact sent into my chest.
“Thanks for coming in, Nikki. I’m sure I’ll see you soon.”
“Yes. You, too—or, just, yeah. Thanks. And see you.”
I turned and exited his space, fully aware that my mind had partially shut down after the handshake and the swirling in my belly and brain. I’d admitted to myself I’d never reacted to someone like this, and the reality was, it proved more than a little disconcerting.
Especially if he just became my boss.
CHAPTERTEN
Bruce
By the end of the week, I found myself dragging again. I had to figure this crap out or it was going to drive me insane. Why did the things that usually filled me with energy feel like such a drain lately?
Tristan, Kenny, Beast, and to my surprise, Wilder, all pulled up in rapid succession before I ever had a chance to shut the garage door.This can’t be good.At least, Kiley was out at her math club so she wouldn’t be here to witness whatever hellfire was about to rain down on me.
“You guys using my house for a boy scout meeting or something?” I asked, slinging my work bag over my shoulder.
Kenny snorted a laugh. “Nice try, Jaws. You know why we’re here.”
“Do I?”
