After about an hour, the council approved my request, but they insisted on providing me with a security team of their choice. They reassured me that they would handpick each member themselves, ensuring my absolute safety on the journey with Ryker into the southwest corner of the continent. I thanked them for the opportunity.
Their final words for me were to make New Englandia proud.
I vowed that I would. I went back to work after it was over.
I didn’t call him right away after that meeting. Instead, I sat at my desk, staring at that business card for a long while before I dialed his number. It beeped several times and I almost hung up in my cowardice, but then he answered, and his voice rumbled through me once again.
I hadn’t realized that I had missed it.
“Dr. Vaughn, I was hoping to hear from you soon,” he purred.
My heart skipped a beat at the sound.
“Mr. Gates,” I answered.
His answering silence made my stomach flip. What was wrong?
Oh, right. He wanted me to call him by his first name.
“I apologize. I meant to say Ryker. I hope you’ve been well,” I quickly corrected myself. It was an innocent mistake, but somehow, it felt naughty. My face flamed and I was thankful that he couldn’t see it.
“I have,” he replied. “I’ve been enjoying much of what your city has to offer.”
“I’m glad to hear that. There is much to do and see here,” I replied a bit pridefully.
“Indeed, there is,” he echoed.
“I met with the council, and they approved our collaboration. There are two additional requirements to the arrangement, however,” I explained, purposefully keeping the fact that it had been my request secret.
“What is that?”
“I am to accompany you. The council will outfit us with an experienced security detail on our journey, neither of which is negotiable.”
“I see,” he replied.
“Is that a problem?” I asked curtly. He cleared his throat.
“No. It’s not an issue. It’s just a bit unexpected.”
I was quiet for a moment. The sudden urge to see him again hurtled through me and there was nothing I could do to stop what came out of my mouth next.
“Would you like to come to my place for dinner tonight?” I blurted out.
“Sure,” he answered smoothly. I couldn’t tell if he liked the idea or hated it, so I kept talking even though everything inside me was telling me to keep quiet.
“I could tell you about the research I’ve uncovered and where I think we should begin our investigations,” I explained quickly, trying to backpedal and recover as fast as I could.
“That would be delightful, Dr. Vaughn,” he replied, his voice cheerful.
“Please. Call me Naomi.”
“With pleasure, Naomi. I’ll see you tonight at six o’clock.”
As I hung up my comm, I was left with the reeling sensation of hearing my name roll off his tongue. In shock, I closed my eyes.
I shifted in my seat, realizing that the seat of my panties was wet.
* * *