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“And you think that will i relationship?”

“Perhaps, but that’s not why I’m here, Sydney” He purposely dropped his voice an octave and leaned closer

She raised a skeptical brow “Out with it”

“I want to get to know you, as a person As a woman Not as a reporter”

She cocked her head and stared at hi “For what purpose?”

Bloody hell, was this woman immune to seduction? “Are you always this direct?”

“Are you always this vague?” she countered

This was beco interest in a wo his desire He had to be flirtatious, but nowith his ical men instinctively found their mates, and he suspected that one kiss would be his doo to say that you interesta harassh “I’ll tell you if you cross the line Interesting how?”

“In just about every way ierie she’d had on earlier told hieous body he’d kill to devour She fascinated him with the wicked sweep of those little auburn brows over sharp brown eyes The woence The way she asked questions, deduced the truth quickly, but carried herself with undeniable sensuality, all dazzled hi with her zest Had he ever attacked each day with such passion? Certainly not since Iraq and being one of the few survivors of his platoon Perhaps not even since Westin’s death

“You sound as if you mean ed, hating the need to be coy “We work together, so the situation requires caution I hoped we couldget to know each other first, then see if anted to pursue more”

Her eyes narrowed “This is the first I’ve heard or seen of any interest beyond the professional”

“I’ve tried to keep unprofessional thoughts to h for her curiosity

“You’ve had the her tenacity “You’re a beautiful woman”

“Thank you” His flattery only sharpened her gaze “But this seeht afteryou, but it’s definitely not fit for the office, nor terribly polite”

Sydney turned sideways, tucking one leg under her and anchoring her arers so close to his shoulder If he leaned toward her just a bit, she’d be touching hiht blasted heat to his cock

Then she shts”

“I thought so yesterday In your office It was in your eyes”

“So that’s why you decided to say soh he’d sensed her interest a few days ago

“What do you think should happen next?”

“We should take it slow,” he murmured “Get to know each other, then decide if ant to proceed, so we don’t jeopardize our working relationship”

“Hentle she believed hie to wince So on in that head of hers

“But let me make certain I understand I’ me, but hid the cabinet to finddedication to seducing me Then you knocked on my door on a Saturday and looked at me as if you’d like to strip me bare in the foyer And you did all this so that we could take our relationship slowly? Have I got that right?”

Well, damn Caden clenched his fists as his brain went into overdrive Now that she’d seen through his ruse, how did he repair the da relationship and his future?

“What I’d like to do and what’s prudent are two different things”

“Often, yes But lethere: You insulted Jamie because he’s a slacker, and you object to theround You want to be a part of the ickind war story for some reason, and are fixated on , you decided to resort to a halfhearted seduction in an atte my mind Is that closer to the truth?”

Dear God He’d had undercover missions easier than this Too s is that I’ue than I’s I want to do with you would make even your pert little freckles blush I tried to keep quiet because I need this job, but when I saas mutual, I couldn’t hold my desire in I didn’t mention it at the office because it’s inappropriate there And as et you naked in the next threeyou That wouldn’t help me to know you better Yes, I’ical war story because I understand war, and let’s face it, a wo But I’ to rush you to bed because I don’t want to build artificial intiet my way I want you to choose to ardless of our personal relationship”

That sounded logical And a bit too close to the truth

Sydney sent hi stare “What do you recommend next?”

Caden released the breath he’d been holding Maybe she believed him Perhaps He had to keep to his role “Lunch?”

“Actually, I was about to toss together a sandwich You’re welcome to join me”

“Ihere allow for et to know each other, that’s much harder in public”

And much easier for hi to now “Whatever you like”

“Perfect” She rose to her feet and headed for the kitchen, grabbing ingredients as she dashed about “Tell me about your parents Are they still alive?”

He was supposed to be getting to know her, finding ways to make her trust him, not the other way around “They are, but I was a late-in-life baby They’re quite elderly Yours? I want to hear about you”

“Later” She waved off his question “So you’re caring for your brother because your parents can’t?”

“Precisely”

“Other siblings?”

Not any up that terrible story “None You? Any siblings?”