12. Mary
Chapter 12
Mary
Is this childish? Probably. Do I give a shit? Not even a little.
I squint at my phone, frowning.
How? How does he know?
I peer over each of my coworkers. Is one of them spying on me for him? No. That’s crazy. They all seem absorbed in their own tasks. Why would they do such a thing?
It’s the third time in a row he has sent me a message that tells me to stop drinking so much coffee or should go home. I blocked his number yesterday, but it seems like he won’t give up that easily.
Off-limits. He’s here as a consultant.
Connor: Cute. Hope you enjoy the jitters.
Mary: Where are you?
Connor: Server room .
Richy told me that Connor spends most of his time there. Isn’t it cold in the server room? I don’t want our consultant to get ill. I should go check on him.
Connor: You should smile more. Looks better on you.
I scan the area again and halt at the camera in the hallway’s corner right in front of my office, the feeling of being watched crawling beneath my skin like ants.
Mary: Are you stalking me through the security camera?
Connor: No.
Mary: You are.
Connor: No.
Mary: You’re lying.
Connor: Does it bother you, Blue?
It should, right?
I try to focus on my work, but I can’t stop glancing up at the camera.
Is he still observing me? What else has he seen?
Mary: Stop stalking me.
Connor: Only if you stop drinking so much coffee.
Mary: So, you are stalking me?
There’s no response this time. Fine, I’ll come to you then. You can’t hide in real life, Mister. I shove my chair back and storm out of my office toward the server room.
Monitoring me like some specimen under a microscope?
I’m halfway there when I spot the head of IT, Richy, coming out of his office. “ Hi, Mary.”
“Richy.” I don’t bother stopping or slowing down and open the door with more force than necessary after sliding through my access card. Cold air blasts against my face. Rows upon rows of servers line both walls, humming softly under the harsh glare of fluorescent lights.
As I step inside and round the corner, I catch sight of him.
Laid back and an eyebrow raised at me, he sits in his chair at a desk with his laptop atop it. “Well, hello there. Didn’t think I’d ever see you down here. You want to help me do some penetration?”
I freeze in place, my mouth falling open. “Are you seriously talking about...?”
Connor throws his head back, laughing deeply. “Relax, Blue. Penetration testing is an actual cybersecurity term.” He rests his elbows on the desk. “But I can’t say the thought didn’t cross my mind.”
His hair hangs loose around his face, framing those eyes that seem to see right through me whenever they lock onto mine. And despite knowing full well how infuriating he can be, there’s still something unquestionably attractive about him. Like back in college. Does he know?
Planting my hands on my hips, I try my damndest to keep my cool. “Very charming.”
“I’m just messing with you.” Connor’s smile softens, but there’s a glint in his eye that suggests otherwise. “Penetration testing means trying to gain access to a system illegally to test its security weaknesses. ”
Letting out a skeptical hum, I cross my arms over my chest. “Is that what you were doing watching me through the camera? Is stalking part of your job description?”
“Stalking? Nah, I’m doing my job. Making sure everything’s secure around here.”
“Right. Because messaging me about my caffeine intake is vital to company security.”
“I have to assess all potential vulnerabilities.” Those eyes, dark and inscrutable, drift over me in a way that makes me shiver. “Even the… human ones.”
“What do you call it, then? If not stalking?” I tap my foot.
“I was hired to improve security. That includes monitoring the cameras.”
“You were hired to improve security for the company, not stalk me personally.”
“Are you working here?”
“Yes…”
“Do you belong to this company?”
I scowl. “Yes, but—”
“So you also count as part of the company.”
“You can’t turn it however you like.”
“I just did, Blue.” That smug look spreads across his face.
Two can play at this game. I take a few measured steps forward, letting my arms fall to my sides. “If you wanted to get up close and personal, you could’ve asked.”
Connor’s gaze drops to my lips before snapping back up, his throat bobbing with a swallow. “Is that an invitation? ”
Liquid heat pools low in my belly at the undisguised want in his voice. I shift closer until his warm breath ghosts over my skin. “Why don’t you find out?”
What am I doing?
This is Connor. The same Connor who’s been hired to do a job, not… whatever this is. I start to retreat.
But his hand shoots out, his fingers curling around my wrist in a grip that’s firm yet somehow gentle. “Where do you think you’re going, Blue?” His voice is low, rumbling straight through me in a way that has my insides clenching.
“I… We can’t…”
“Can’t we?” He rises from his chair and steps towards me. I back up instinctively until I feel the cold wall against my shoulders. He places one hand on the wall beside my head, his eyes burning into mine. “You started this.”
“I didn’t mean to…”
“Didn’t you?” Connor’s free hand slides into my hair, fingertips grazing the nape of my neck. “You sure about that, Blue?”
“Why do you call me that?”
“It’s—Your eyes.”
I’m momentarily taken aback, warmth flooding my cheeks. “Very original”
His voice is softer now. “You don’t like it?”
“I don’t.”
“Hmm.” He tilts his head. “I like ‘babe’ better, anyway. ”
That’s worse. “Blue is fine! You know, call me whatever you want.” I try to get out of his hold, but he’s too strong.
“Whatever I want?”
Oh, no.
“Then what about girlfriend?” he asks.
“I’m not your girlfriend.”
“Fiancé?”
“Are you dreaming?”
“No, I’ve got persistence. And I always get what I want.” His nose grazes my cheek before he speaks into my ear. “What about… my wife?”
My eyelids flutter as he nuzzles against my neck, his lips brushing my pulse point. Panic wells up inside me. This isn’t right, not here in the server room with cameras everywhere. I know I should maintain professional boundaries, but with the way he makes me feel, it’s impossible.
“You seem nervous. Why is that?”
My heart pounds as I avoid his eyes. “I’m not nervous.”
“I think you are.” His thumb grazes my bottom lip lightly. I shudder at the contact, my lips parting. “In fact, I’d say you’re very nervous right now, and it’s not because you drank too much coffee. In this spot, no one can see us.”
“W-we shouldn’t be doing this.”
For a brief second, doubt flickers across his face.
It’s reckless.
Idiotic .
His lips are a hairsbreadth from mine. “I enjoy breaking rules now and then.”
And utterly, deliriously appealing.
His mouth is right there, full and tempting, and all I’d have to do is tilt my head to close the scant distance between us. My tongue darts out to wet my lips, and his eyes track the movement, darkening with undisguised hunger.
I should go. I should push him away and remind him of the boundaries that should exist between us. Just as I’m about to give in to temptation, Connor draws back, releasing me from whatever spell had been cast.
What? Why?
Fuck him. “You know I have a boyfriend, right?”
He chuckles. “Ah yes, the fictional boyfriend you’ve reminded me of five times already.”
“His name is Chris. He’s not fictional.”
“Don’t you have a meeting to go to?” He turns away, grabbing his stuff.
I glance at the clock on my phone. I do.
“See you around… Blue.” He brushes past me.