Page 37 of Heart Stopping
I couldn't stop myself from smiling, both at the euphemism and the expression on his face. Like he couldn't quite believe he said that.
"Thank you for not calling it a fish taco," I said dryly. "But, no, it's not wrong to say that. I'm a big fan of asking for things you want. If you don't, then how do other people know what's on your mind?"
I cocked my head at him before taking another bite of taco.
"You're not like anyone else I've ever met," he blurted out. He pushed his glasses back up his nose with the back of his hand.
"I could say the same about you," I said. "In fact, Iwouldsay the same. It's refreshing to meet someone who isn't all about himself, you know?"
"I know what you mean," he said. "Most of the women I've met are all about themselves. Men too. They care more about the likes and follows, even when they're not online. They're out to impress everyone. I just… Want to be myself."
"Me too," I agreed. "Tell me more about yourself. I know you work in IT. Have you ever hacked into anything?" I kept my tone light, like I was joking, but my heart was racing.
Surely he'd see right through me and hate that I was trying to use him? I hated myself for it. I would have liked nothing more than to explain exactly why I asked.
I couldn't. Doing that would drag him into something he didn't deserve. Something that might destroy him. I wasn't going to be the one to do that.
He laughed. "It's part of my job to know all the tricks of hacking into other people's systems. That's how we prevent people from hacking us. In theory, anyway."
"You don't put those skills to use outside work?" I asked. "I don't think I'd be able to help myself. Imagine how many secret sauces I could discover."
He looked confused. "You don't need to find out someone's secret sauce."
"No, you're right," I conceded. "But I could keep people from hacking my restaurant computer and discovering all my secrets."
"You have a problem with people doing that?" Now he looked annoyed on my behalf.
I decided to take the opportunity he offered. "All the time. The competition is always trying to get a step ahead of me. A few times, I've had to change my recipe because they've found out what I was using. As soon as they spread it around, no punintended, I have to switch my game up." That was all true. The restaurant industry was cutthroat sometimes.
"That sucks." He got up to make himself another taco before sitting back down. "Is there anyone in particular who's doing this to you?"
Feeling like garbage for continuing to lie to him I said, "There is. Granger Fairfield."
Cass frowned. "The jewelry mogul?"
I cursed myself. I should have realized there was a chance he'd heard of Fairfield. Hell, for all I knew, he worked for him.
"He has his fingers in a lot of pies," I hedged. That was true for lots of men like Fairfield. No doubt it was one hundred percent correct. People like him loved to dabble in restaurants and hotels. Anything that might make them more money.
"Okay," Cass said slowly. "Will you let me take a look at your computer? I can see if anyone's gotten in there and put some things in place so they can't do it again."
"Will it involve hacking into his systems?" I asked, trying not to hold my breath while I waited for his response.
"It'll involve following the trail," Cass said. "That depends how far back it goes. And…if he didn't leave a trail, I might have to go in and look at what he's been looking at. Do you have a problem with that?"
"Not at all," I said little too quickly. "I don't like people fucking with my business. It's my livelihood and that of the people who work for me." Never mind that I used to have as much money as people like Fairfield. The restaurant wasn't in danger of going under, but I still didn't want anyone fucking with it.
"Consider it done," he said. As if there was nothing more to it than that. Even I knew it'd take him hours to do what he suggested. If not days.
Assuming it was even possible. He'd have to be good to get past Fairfield's security. I had a feeling I hadn't guessed incorrectly. Cass could do this. It would just take time.
"Thank you. I appreciate you." I handed him my plate when he started to pack up everything after we'd finished eating.
"Of course." He dumped all the dishes in the sink and turned around to lean against the counter. "I'm not sure there's anything I wouldn't do for you, Harlow." His eyes were darker, his gaze drifting up and down my body before settling on my face. It gave the impression he was memorizing every inch of me.
I hated myself even more. I knew that about him and I took advantage. I should tell him to forget about all of it and get the hell out of here right now. Run away and never look back. Take out a restraining order against myself so I wouldn't be tempted to go anywhere near him.
For some reason, my feet refused to move except to stand and walk over to him. The kitchen was so small, it only took a couple of steps until we were almost standing chest to chest.
