It’d been late by the time I’d gotten home last night, but I’d needed to sleep in my own bed. I didn’t want things between Jalen and me to always result in us falling into bed together. We’d made out a little bit, sure, but we hadn’t had sex. I’d dreamed about it last night and woken up with my entire body throbbing with need.

Needless to say, my shower had been on the cold side, but at least I wasn’t running late for lunch with Clay, and I’d gotten in a nice run before taking a second cold shower. My libido was in hiding at the moment, and I intended to keep it that way until I was done with work for the day. After that, all bets were off.

Clay had come down to Fort Collins to pick up some information from Jenna that he and Agent Matthews wanted in hard copy, which was perfect since that meant I could fill him in on my own contributions to the case. I hoped that common ground would keep things from being awkward between us since this was our first alone time since I’d gotten back from Indiana.

Snooze was one of my favorite places to eat in the city. I’d found it my second day here, and it’d become one of my go-to places to eat. I could cook well enough, but the time it took usually meant I didn’t get into anything too complicated.

I arrived before Clay and took a booth close to the door, so he’d see me when he came in. My phone buzzed, and I picked it up. I smiled when I saw who it was from.

I’m supposed to be getting together specs for a lunch meeting, but you keep distracting me.

I tapped out a quick response. How am I distracting you from all the way over here?

It took him a minute to respond, and I found myself restlessly tapping the glass of water a waitress had brought over.

I keep thinking about what it would be like to take you in my office. Bent over my desk. Naked and spread open on top of my desk. Up against the door. In my chair. I’m hard as a fucking rock.

I flushed at the images his words prompted. We’d had sex on my desk – technically, it’d been Adare’s desk at the time – and I still had moments where I’d zone out at work, the memories of that first time pushing every other thought out of my mind.

Don’t expect any sympathy from me, I typed. You’ve got me all hot and bothered now.

“You look…busy.”

I raised my head at the sound of Clay’s voice. By the time he was in the seat across from me, the waitress was there, taking his order for coffee and checking him out at the same time.

I watched, curious as to whether or not I’d feel even the tiniest prickle of jealousy. I hadn’t had any issues with jealousy before, but when we’d started sleeping together, I had experienced a thrill of satisfaction when I’d seen women flirting with him. He’d been mine, and while we hadn’t been dating, we had been exclusive. Now, however, there was nothing stopping him from meeting the waitress in the bathroom or behind the restaurant or whenever and wherever.

Nothing. I felt nothing more than a hope that he’d find the sort of happiness that Jalen and I had.

I quickly typed out another message. Gotta go. Clay’s here to go over case stuff. Rain check on finishing this conversation.

I tucked my phone back into my purse and gave Clay my full attention. At least as much attention as I could give considering how turned on I was. A run and two cold showers for nothing. Damn Jalen for getting me all worked up.

“It’s nothing important,” I said. “Just talking to Jalen a bit while I was waiting.”

I watched him carefully for any sign of annoyance or hurt, but he just smiled at me and took a long drink of his coffee. I could see the steam rising off of it, but he didn’t even wince.

“How’s business going?” he asked.

“Great,” I said. Then I sighed. “Actually, I’m not sure if great is the right word.”

“What happened?”

“I have one case at the moment, and it’s a huge one, so money isn’t the issue.”

Or it wouldn’t be when I got around to sending Jenna an invoice for hours worked. I could’ve done it earlier this week after I’d talked to Stacey’s parents, but it’d felt wrong to charge her for shitty news.

Then again, knowing that Stacey existed and was with a solid, caring family was good news, and either way, Jenna wouldn’t hold it against me.

“I had to deliver bad news,” I said, giving him a wry smile. “I hadn’t gotten to that part of my FBI training before I…left.”

“Do you know what you want, or do you need more time?” The waitress gave Clay a winning smile and then turned it on me.

I ordered pancakes even though it was a little past noon and Clay asked for a bacon cheeseburger with a side of fries. When she walked back to the kitchen, I shifted the conversation. I didn’t mind talking about the business, but I didn’t want to give Clay enough to figure out my client was Jenna. I intended to take the privacy of all my clients seriously, but Jenna was also a friend.

“Jenna has me doing some research for her,” I began, “on some people she’s looking into for human trafficking.”

Something flickered in his eyes, but his expression didn’t change. “You’re involved in one of her cases.”

“She said she sends the information to Agent Matthews. I’m guessing that means he shares it with you too.”

He nodded slowly. “He does. We build cases with the information Jenna gets us.” He shifted in his seat. “Are you sure it’s a good idea to help her?”

I frowned. “Are you really asking me that? Is it a good idea to stop people who are kidnapping and selling human beings? What the hell kind of question is that?”

My voice rose on the last question, but I caught myself before it became too noticeable.

“Hey, hey,” he held up his hands. “I’m just trying to look out for you.”

“What is it with you men thinking I can’t take care of myself?” I shook my head as I leaned back, crossing my arms. “Jalen did the same thing. Insults under the guise of protection.”

“And what if you need our protection?” Clay countered.

“I’ll ask.”

He sighed. “Fair enough.”

“Now, can we talk about work?” I gave him a hard look.

How he responded here would determine where things went from here, and my stomach twisted into knots at the thought of not having him in my life, but we needed to have this conversation.

“We can.” He mimicked my posture. “Just promise me you’ll be careful. That’s all I ask.” He gave me a half-smile. “I’d say the same thing to anyone else doing what you’re doing.”

“I am,” I promised. “Jenna and I both are.”

“Jenna handles things online,” he pointed out. “You’re actually going out and doing things. Besides, Rylan could kick the ass of anyone who tried to come after her.”

He had a point.

“Jenna found the addresses.” I moved the conversation along. “Usually, she can get camera footage online, but these were in blind spots. I gave her the photographs I already took, but I’m going back soon to take some more. I think they’re rotating where they’re keeping the people.”

“Raymond thinks the same thing,” Clay agreed. “We’re trying to get IDs on the guys who are renting the locations.”

As we settled into the conversation, the edge between us softened, and I knew we were going to be all right.