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“Rachel,” he said again, “is everything okay?”

As casually as she was able, she slid the drawer closed “Why wouldn’t it be?” Slowly, she lowered herself to the seat behind her desk

Okay, that eird She hadn’t lost herself like that before The brief flashes ofa slow breath so that Harvard wouldn’t notice her fighting the urge to hyperventilate, she let it out carefully Once Twice On the third breath, her sense of control returned

“Is there so you wanted?” she asked, relieved to hear her voice sound as cool and even as usual She took stock of her body Her legs had stopped shivering, her heart was beating steadily, and herthe moment had passed

Harvard closed the door behind hi his arms casually as he blocked her only exit “What just happened?”

“Nothing” She waved a hand at hi to discuss, you may leave I’m rather busy”

He narrowed his eyes at her,the topic of herto discuss How about you dodging ? That’s twice you’ve duain”

Rachel frowned at hi second “That’s a bit presuiven that I don’t answer to you”

“For the duration of this undercover assignment, you do”

Now that was just irritating “I said I’d do this job for you; I didn’t say I’d do everything you told me to”

Harvard wasn’t like the other et loud and over-emotional when she confronted them Not Harvard He was just as cal vein on his forehead, no clenched jaw, no dark frown There were only those piercing brown eyes of his, boring straight through her It was disconcerting, and she wasn’t quite sure how to handle him yet All she kneas that she never felt threatened by him, and he definitely didn’t feel threatened by her Which was such a shame

“A lot of people are depending on you to do your part in this investigation And to do it professionally You’re part of a team, whether you like it or not, and we can’t function properly unless we can rely on each other” He arched an eyebrow at her “Can I rely on you, Rachel?”

For soentle tone of his felt likehe could have shouted at her A strange sensation stole over her, and it took her a second to realize she felt sha she was used to nor one she enjoyed

“I’ my part in this team,” she objected

She was in the damn office, wasn’t she? She?