We. Shit, he liked hearing that. He liked working with Hadley, liked watching her, liked touching her.
He wanted more. So much more that he knew he’d scare her.
He needed to treat Hadley like a mission as well. One step at a time, don’t move too quickly or give away your position.
And he was a man who had a very high mission success rate.
* * *
She couldn’t complainabout the seats.
The plush, private box had a very good view. Hadley arched forward a little, looking down across the theatre. Kitty wouldn’t be able to see them in the shadows, but they should be able to see her.
Hadley felt a fine tension from Bennett. He was preternaturally still, watching the crowd below like a hawk.
She was sure that he’d been like this with his SAS team. Hiding in the shadows, waiting to achieve his mission objective.
More people started filtering in to find their seats.
“Do you see her yet?” Hadley asked.
“Not yet.”
She turned her head. “Are you okay?”
His hand resting on his thigh flexed. “Yes.” He shifted, and pressed a hand over her thigh. It burned through the silk of her dress. “We’re going to end this.”
She stared ahead, trying to control the butterflies in her belly. She never got butterflies. This man made her senses go haywire. He was getting under her skin and it scared her.
Her phone dinged. She pulled it out and smiled. It was another email from Gabbi. In the attached picture, Cora was in a pink ballet tutu that Hadley had given her, posing with her arms above her head.
“Who’s that?”
Hadley glanced at him. Bennett was unabashedly looking at her phone.
“No one,” she said.
“Really?” He arched a brow.
She sighed. “Her name is Cora.”
“And who is Cora?”
She hesitated. “She’s a little girl staying at a domestic violence shelter in New York.” She smiled. “Nightingale House does amazing work. Giving shelter and other support to women who’ve suffered partner violence.”
He studied her face. “Women who’d been let down by the people who should protect them.”
Hadley lifted her chin. “Yes.”
“And you volunteer there.”
“When I can.”
He stroked her jaw. “You are a remarkable woman, Hadley.”
She made a scoffing sound. “Hardly. What I do isn’t enough. There are so many women, so many children, who need safety and security.”
She had to look away from his penetrating stare. Then his fingers tightened.