Chapter 24
CHAPTER 24
PEN
W ith Elijah out of the way, I throw myself into double-checking my findings. Whoever did this knows what they’re doing. They’ve covered their tracks brilliantly. I’m not wrong. I recognise the code. What I don’t understand is why? If it’s who I suspect, we’re supposed to be on the same side. Does The Seamstress know? Is she in on it?
Fuck !
Who could have imagined that being out of the game would be this complicated?
I park my thoughts, and instead, I create a file containing all the changes that will need to be backed out. By the time I’m done, my head is about to explode with what-ifs. I need to get out of my she-cave . The walls have become restricting, and my sanctuary has begun to feel more like a prison.
I make my way up to the kitchen and stare out over the garden. The rising sun appears over the trees in the background. I went upstairs and saw my suitcase before hearing Elijah in my bathroom, so I made a hasty retreat. Seeing him naked is not something I need in my memory banks. Tonight has already ignited a whole pile of memories and feelings I thought were long buried.
We’re very different people now, and I’m about to marry a wonderful man.
I turn sharply as Elijah enters the kitchen, instantly wishing I hadn’t. He’s fresh out of the shower, my shower, looking refreshed, his hair damp, his clothes new.
The jumper he’s wearing stretches across his broad chest. I know his jeans will hug his ass if he was to turn around. My mouth dries, and I take another swig of coffee.
“How was your shower?” I choke.
“Great,” he says. “I used yours. Hope you don’t mind. I thought, rather than dirty another room.”
The back of my neck grows hot, and a fluttery sensation of a thousand butterflies setting flight in my stomach hits.
“No-no problem.” I stumble over the words. “Did you find everything you needed?”
“I had a change of clothes and my wash bag in the car. I used the folded towel. I put it on your wash basket. I also popped your case by the door.”
“Perfect. Thank you.”
My mind wanders to the all-nighters we would pull at mine before our exams. Elijah would often use my shower then, too. He left his body wash and shampoo for ease, claiming mine were too girlie. I used to steal small amounts every night before I went to bed. I had no shame then, his toiletries were high end, and I loved the smell. It was comforting.
I bite my lip and notice Elijah’s eyes lock on the movement.
I turn away as the pressure builds between my legs. I take another drag on my coffee cup, only to find it empty.
Shit.
You’re an engaged woman, Penelope Dawson. You’re just frustrated. You and Kris were too tired with all the running around last week. Soon, that won’t be a problem.
“Coffee?” I ask, moving across the kitchen, needing a distraction. “I know I could certainly do with another one.”
“That would be great,” Elijah says, pulling out a stool at the kitchen island.
Fantastic! It appears we’ve moved on from talking business to that awkward morning after speech. Only this one is without the orgasms.
What!?!
“Did you get what you wanted done?” Elijah asks.
I exhale, flicking my eyes to the ceiling.
Thank you. Back to something I can control.
I nod. “And I have an idea how to catch whoever is responsible,” I add.
A slow, sexy smile spreads over Elijah’s face, and my heart pounds in my chest.
Stop.
“I’m going to send Gabriel a very large case of wine as a thank you for calling you,” he says. “What can I do for you?”
I swallow hard.
“Nothing. Catching the bastard will be reward enough.”
That, and getting back on with my life.
Lusting after an old friend is not okay. I boxed up my feelings for Elijah Frazer years ago. I cannot let old emotions resurface and derail my current life, especially when I’m weeks away from marrying someone else and fulfilling my heart’s desire.
Unrequited love sucks!
My best friend. That’s all Elijah ever was. It’s not his fault I fell in love with him while we were at university, and I wasn’t the only woman to do so. His charisma and charm made him irresistible. He just didn’t know it, or was so used to it, it no longer registered. To him, work or swimming was his priority. Plus, he had a beautiful girlfriend on his arm, not someone I could compete with. Never even thought to try. At least not until they split up. Then there was a speck of hope until there wasn’t. His beautiful ex-girlfriend, announced she was pregnant, and he married her. No surprise there. Elijah would always do the right thing.
He told me after Christmas, they were over, then he had his accident. Next he was engaged to beautiful, put-together Darra, who came from the right breeding stock, unlike me, with my charity shop clothing, heavy makeup, piercings, and single-parent family.
I slam down on the pity party taking place in my head. I refuse to let these unwelcome feelings of inadequacy resurface.
I’m going to blame my overactive libido. On the fact, it’s five AM, and our banter and close proximity have reignited memories I’ve suppressed over the years.
They aren’t real.
We scarcely know one another now.
I’ve read articles stating it’s not unusual for brides-to-be to get cold feet, especially when marriage is going to involve a monumental change in their lives. And mine most certainly is. I’m upending my life and switching continents.
I move to the warming draw and pull out the plate of scrambled eggs and toast I prepared while he was in the shower. I slide it across the island to where Elijah is sitting, along with a steaming mug of coffee.
“This looks amazing,” Elijah says, looking up and smiling.
I drag my eyes away from his lips. “You’re welcome. I thought you might want something before we get started again.”
He looks a lot more relaxed. Now he’s washed some of the tension off.
“So, what’s the plan now?”
I take a seat next to him as he attacks the food with enthusiasm.
“We wait. Set the trap I’ve devised and wait for whoever is responsible to trigger it. Or we trigger it and see who pops up.”
I can’t keep the smugness out of my voice. This is my favourite part, bringing the bad guy to justice. This will be extra satisfying as they’ve gone after my friend. A bad move on their part.
“I promise, this person or persons will not get away with it.”
I’ve been in charge of several sting operations in the past. I know what I’m doing when it comes to catching Elijah’s mole. Not that I can tell Elijah that. But secrets have been in my life for as long as I can remember.
We finish up, and Elijah once again clears away the mess while I grab a quick shower.
Knowing he’s been in this room, stood naked where I’m now standing.
The air smells of his body wash and shampoo.
I pick up the towel he has folded on the wash basket next to the sink. Before I can stop myself, I raise it to my nose and inhale deeply.
No!
I throw it into the far corner before turning and resting my forehead against the cool glass of the shower.
It’s okay
If everything goes to plan tomorrow, you’ll be back on a plane and heading back to your new life. Elijah Frazer will be back in his box.
I shower before screwing my wet hair up into a messy bun and pulling on a fresh set of clothes. I give myself a quick once over in the mirror to ensure I don’t have mascara running down my face. I’m not redoing my makeup. Once Elijah is gone, I shall head to bed.
I find Elijah downstairs, scrolling through the code changes.
“I can’t believe you deciphered this,” he says, turning towards me.
My chest swells at his praise.
“Code and coding are my hyper-focus. You know that. I could sit for hours—experimenting with code. That’s why writing computer games is perfect for me. It’s the management, and organisational part of running a company that’s always been the hardest. But then I have an awesome team for that.”
Danika, who is my right-hand woman, has been a godsend. She ensures I don’t get lost in the cyber world and forget to eat or speak to clients. She’s my version of Gabriel’s Leah, only without the sex.
“Right, let’s do this.”
Elijah moves closer as I explain my plan. We go backwards and forwards as we come up with a solution that will work with his code and fit into company policy. We don’t want to trigger the wrong person.
For the next three hours, we work together to perfect it. I write, and he tests. The code I’m amending was changed before this release, so no one should be looking at it. It’s the recent changes, and they are harmless on their own. Layering is a clever method of attack.
When I’m done, we both sit back.
“Now you go into the office and act as if nothing is wrong,” I say, turning to Elijah, whose enormous frame has sunk into his chair.
It’s then I notice the stress lines around his mouth.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
“It’s nothing, just my ankle. Sitting for any length of time causes it to ache.”
“Still?”
“It only aches when I’ve been sitting for hours. Blood flow or something.”
I push back my chair and tap my knee.
“Put it up here,” I say, scowling when he stares at me blankly.
“Give me your damn leg. You can’t go into the office hobbling or drive, for that matter.”
I watch as he lifts his leg, placing it on my knee.
“Damn, you’ve got a heavy ass leg,” I grunt letting his foot rest on the chair between my legs.
My cheeks warm, but I rub my forehead with the back of my hand.
I roll up the bottom of his jeans and pull down his sock. The surgery scar has faded to a fine white line over the years. Who would have thought coming off your bike could destroy a career?
I move my hands to the aching muscles and knead where I feel the tightness.
Elijah flinches under my fingers.
“Sorry,” I say as I knead a particularly tight spot.
I look up to find Elijah watching me, his eyes shadowed.
“You’re good at this,” he says, almost with a groan.
I continue my ministrations, ignoring the feel of his skin under my hands and the throbbing ache between my thighs.
This is me helping a friend in pain.
I focus on the task at hand, tuning out the distractions his close proximity brings.
When my body can’t take anymore, I pull up his sock and unroll his jeans. Patting the top of the material.
“How’s that?” I say, hoping I don’t sound as breathless as I feel.
I keep my eyes averted from Elijah and spin back towards the desk when he removes his foot.
“Amazing, thank you. You have magic hands,” he says, his voice a little strained.
I look at the clock on the screen and breathe a sigh of relief. Our time is up. It’s close to nine AM.
“Hopefully, you’ll be able to walk on it now,” I say. “You need to get going, or someone might wonder where you are.”
“It’s okay. I messaged Jules. If anyone asks, I have a doctor’s appointment and then I’m popping in to see Gabriel on my way to work. Since it’s something I do regularly.”
“That’s good,” I say, not wanting to turn towards him.
“Pen.” He pauses. “Is everything all right?”
I turn and flash him my brightest smile. “Everything’s fine. I’m crashing. It’s been a long night. The adrenalin is wearing off.”
“Understandable.”
Elijah stands, and I follow suit.
“Thank you. For everything, Pen.”
“The testers shouldn’t pick up on anything.”
“There’s a code freeze in place. Whoever is responsible shouldn’t be able to make any more changes now.”
“Don’t be so sure. It’s why they’re using your login. You and Todd are the only two people who can grant permission. However, if anyone makes changes or tries to log in using your or Todd’s login, we will catch them.” He raises an eyebrow, and I grin. “I made a few minor changes while you made that last coffee. I altered their automatic delete. It now deletes to a specific folder on your computer, one that only you have access to. If they login or try to make any more changes, we won’t have to hunt. It will show up there.”
“You’re sure?”
He looks sceptical, and I harrumph.
“Really?” I say, eventually. “After everything?”
“Okay, I trust you,” he says with a smirk. “But I want to thank you.”
“No need. You can owe me one.” When he frowns, I roll my eyes. “Not really,” I say, pushing his shoulder. “It’s what friends are for.”
Elijah drops his head, a strange look appearing on his face. When he lifts his eyes to mine, his expression is drawn. “But then, I haven’t been a very good friend over the past few years.”
Our gazes lock, and I let my lips tilt.
“Maybe we’ve both let our friendship slide. Life getting in the way and all that.”
He nods his head slowly. A furrow appears between his brow.
We both know it’s too late now. I’m marrying another man and moving across the world. That ship has sailed, quite literally.
He steps forward and takes my shoulders in his hands before planting a kiss on my cheek. I freeze, the warmth of his lips against my skin sending jolts of electricity to my core, my body waking up. Before I can think or do anything, he moves back.
“You truly are a remarkable woman, Penelope Dawson,” he says.
I incline my head, wrapping my arms around my waist,
“Don’t you forget it, Elijah Frazer. Now get out of here. I need to get some sleep.”
We go upstairs and to the garage, where his car is parked.
Elijah grabs my hand and squeezes. “I mean it, Pen. If there is anything you need, ever, just let me know.”
I look up into his eyes, shades of the young Elijah shining through.
“I will,” I say, although know I never will.
He squeezes my fingers once more, and I miss the sensation when he withdraws his hand and gets into the car. I open the garage door using the keypad on the wall and lean against it as he reverses out.
My mum appears at his window and knocks, smiling in at him.
Elijah stops the car getting out, sweeping my mother into a bear hug, swinging her around.
“Now, Elijah Frazer, what are you doing sneaking out of my engaged daughter’s house at this early hour?”
I move to the entrance of the garage and laugh as Elijah’s cheeks turn red at my mother’s scrutiny.
“We were working,” he splutters, shooting me a panicked look, which has me doubling over even further. His eyes dart to mine as my mother’s twinkle with mischief.
“It’s okay, Elijah. She knew we were working on a project. She’s pulling your leg.”
His shoulders relax.
Elijah’s respect for the older generation was drummed into him, although my mother is not technically that much older.
“I’m only teasing,” she says, giving him another squeeze.
“That’s okay then,” Elijah says, shooting me a look that would render me unconscious.
Mum has always liked to tease.
“Mum, Elijah needs to go to work,” I tell her.
“No problem. Just don’t be a stranger,” she says, patting his enormous chest before stepping back. “See you soon.”
I watch as he stoops and drops a kiss on my mother’s cheek.
“You too, Mrs D,” he says, making her growl as he grins. “Two can play at that game.”
“Get to work,” she says, smiling. “I need my daughter to make me a coffee. Her machine is better than mine.”
A total lie since I bought her an identical model.
Elijah is still smiling when he gets back into his car. Mum comes to stand next to me, and we watch him leave.
When he’s out of sight, she turns to me, her eyes questioning. “And?”
“We were working.”
She grunts as she walks past me and into my house.
“Come in,” I say under my breath before rolling my eyes and following her. It’ll be a while before I get any sleep.