They laughed and talked about books, including the one she was listening to. She giggled when Hunter blushed, knowing the book was dark and erotic.
As he walked her to the door, she thought tonight had been the best first date she’d ever had.
It was your only first date,her conscious reminded her.It stills counts, even if he doesn’t think so.
Which was why she stiffened when Hunter pulled her in for a hug and kissed the top of her head.
“I enjoyed tonight,” he said after she wrapped her arms around his waist.
“Me too. It was strange though,” Byte said.
“That it was. Tomorrow will be even stranger. I’ve never gone undercover before.”
Byte chuckled and pulled back to look into his eyes. “It’s for Karma… my company. I need to gather some dirt on a potentially horrible man. You won’t be in any danger, except that I don’t know how to dance, and I’m sure there’s going to be some at the gala.”
“I’ll let you step on my toes,” he said. She loved how his eyes crinkled when he was joking. She thought he was attractive when he was all buttoned up and grouchy, but he made her weak in the knees when he found humor in something she said.
“Good to know.”
“I’ll pick you up. No way am I getting on that bike of yours.”
Laughing, Byte agreed and told him what time they needed to be at the gala.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, Byte,” Hunter softly said.
“Okay,” she whispered back. Later she’d wondered why she whispered. No one else was there to overhear her, but his soft statement felt intimate, hence her whispering.
When Hunter kissed her lightly on her lips, she knew she was in serious trouble. When he wiped his hands over his lips and looked at his palm and chuckled, she knew he was expecting to see blue.
“It’s smudge proof.”
“Good to know. See you tomorrow night.”
Hunter watched as she put her helmet on, started the engine, and backed out of his driveway.
Boy, are you in trouble.
CHAPTERTHIRTY-SIX
The doorbell interrupted Byte’s little panic attack. She’d been up all night reliving her night with Hunter. What started out as a trade, eventually turned into a date, and now she had a second one tonight. It was supposed to be a fake date. She didn’t date. Dating meant sharing your life with someone. She didn’t share.
The doorbell rang for a second time, followed by knocking.
Good grief. She knew it was someone from ALIAS. No one else could enter the building and access the apartments.
Swinging open the door, she came face-to-face with the women of ALIAS.
“What took you so long?” Voodoo asked as she walked past Byte.
“I was busy.”
“Hey, girl,” Ivy said as she carried a bag of what Byte thought might be groceries.
“Hope it’s okay we came,” Aria stated, not waiting for an answer as she entered the apartment.
Byte shut the door and turned and looked at her friends.
“What are you doing here?”