So long as Matthew didn’t take his eyes off the goal.
With a slight shake of my head, I hang up the phone and make my way outside. Matthew brushes past me. “I made you some coffee. Extra milk, cream and sugar. Just the way you like it.”
I inhale, and the knots in my stomach unfurl, marveling at the thought that he paid attention to those little details about me. “Thank you, Matt.”
He goes to sit at the desk, his eyes never leaving my face. I eye him over the rim of the mug and ignore the pounding in the center of my chest.
For too long, we stay like that, unable to look away from each other.
In the doorway, Matthew is waiting for me, his face giving nothing away. He adjusts the camera placed on the inside of my bra, his skin grazing the sensitive skin of my chest and sending little goosebumps breaking out across my flesh. My breath hitches in my throat as his hand lingers, and my knees go weak.
Suddenly, I can’t remember what I’m supposed to be doing.
I want him to keep his hands on me.
“I think we can move the camera somewhere else. They trust me now, remember?"
Matthew looks up at me, and his eyes turn molten. “It’s better if it stays there.”
“Okay.”
Matthew lingers, his hand searing against my skin. Our lips are inches away, blood rushes to my cheeks, and heat pools in the center of my stomach. Then Matthew shifts and moves away, and I feel like I can breathe again.
What is it about him that gets under my skin?
Why can’t I think clearly when he’s around?
“Good luck out there,” Matthew tells me, in a thick voice. “Remember what the safe word is in case you need us to get you out.”
I look into his eyes and exhale. “Yes.”
He doesn’t look at me as I undo the latch and step outside.
???
I see the car trailing behind me, and I force myself to keep moving at a slow leisurely pace. Soon enough, it pulls to a stop next to the curb, and Travis appears in the window. I get in. The car peels away from the curb and Travis inches closer, bringing his hand to a rest on my knee. It takes every ounce of self-control I have not to slam my fist into his groin.
You need him, remember?
“The information you’ve been passing along is very useful,” Travis tells me, with a smirk. “And according to our mole the FBI doesn’t even suspect you.”
“And they won’t. I’ve taken my precautions to make sure it can’t be traced back to me, or my informants. Where are we going?”
“We will drive around,” Travis responds, pausing to drift closer, so he is pressed against my side. “You know, I’ve always found you attractive, Jen. I’ll admit that I didn’t always like you, but now that you’re helping us handle the FBI and making sure that Simone pays for walking away, I’m sure we can forget about the past…”
My stomach clenches. “I did tell you I was going to get results.”
Travis cups the back of my neck, and I still. “A good team player knows how to play well with everyone.”
“Yes.”
Travis leans in and brushes a thumb over my jaw. “Especially the powerful team players. You’ve more than proven your worth.”
Do not push him away. Breathe. Lean into it.
“I’m glad you think so.” I turn my head, so it’s buried in the crook of his neck. “I’m still trying to figure out the best way to show you how much I appreciate your trust.”
Travis presses his mouth to my neck, and I squeeze my eyes shut, imagining Matthew instead. It is his hands on me, his mouth all over my neck. Panic surges, and I’m frozen as my revulsion for Travis takes control.