Edge of Reason (EDGE Security Series Book 2) Read Free Page B

with E.D.G.E., the Elite Digital and Global Enforcement unit. It had been a test run to see if he fit with the E.D.G.E. team. Cat had joined him in the elevator on the way out of HQ. He’d smiled a welcome.  
    “Looks like your friend, Jake, found a reason to join E.D.G.E.,” she’d said. “Dani seems like a nice girl.”
    “She’s not the only reason,” he said. “Jake doesn’t make emotional decisions.” At least he never had before. Rhys shrugged. “Either way, I think this assignment will be good for him.”
    She’d watched him a moment. “But not you?”
    “My SEAL team is deploying in two weeks, they’re counting on me.” He didn’t add that he’d already decided it would be his last deployment with them. He wanted to work at E.D.G.E. He loved the idea of what they did, and was ready for something new. He eyed the tall blonde captain in front of him.  
    And the scenery wasn’t too shabby, either.
    She’d smiled then and, as his grand-mère would say, he’d seen the devil in her eyes. “Want to grab a drink, sailor?”
    That was an invitation he couldn’t refuse.  
    They hadn’t even made it to the bar. He’d snagged her hand once they were outside and the current between them at the simple touch had stopped them both. The vivid blue of her eyes turned darker. He tugged lightly on her hand and she’d come to him willingly. He’d loved her height and how he hadn’t had to lean down to kiss her. But he’d loved the sounds she made even more. Her apartment had only been a few blocks away from E.D.G.E. HQ and they’d run there, laughing, as if they were doing something illicit.
    And technically, an officer fraternizing with an enlisted man was a good way to get court-martialed, but she’d obviously thought he was leaving for good. He hadn’t told her he was coming back, because he suspected she’d put an end to the heaven of that night. And hell, he wanted that piece of heaven. He’d dreamed of it throughout his whole deployment. She was strong and soft at the same time, a combination he couldn’t stop thinking about.  
    One he wanted again.  
    It had been pure fluke running into her tonight. He happened to be staying in the hotel next to the bar. It wasn’t his usual type of place, but the concierge had recommended it. When he’d seen her there, his gut had tightened and memories of that night had washed over him. It had taken him a long moment to see the tightness around her eyes and mouth, and the stiffness of her body. That’s when he’d seen the asshole speaking to her, obviously giving her some kind of crap. He’d started toward her, but had stopped as soon as she’d put the guy in a wrist lock. Laughter bubbled up inside him even now as he remembered the look on the guy’s face.  
    Cat’s face, on the other hand, still had that pinched look as she walked away.  
    He shook his head. Maybe she needed a distraction.
    He quickly caught up to her. “Where are we going, chère?”
    She sighed and stopped. “ We are not going anywhere. I’m going home. You can go anywhere you want.”  
    He grinned when she held up her hand and amended herself. “Anywhere but my place. We had fun one night. But it was only one night. Leave it in the past. We’ll be working together. It’s not appropriate for…” Her hand waved back and forth between them.  
    “For?” His grin got wider when she narrowed her eyes at him.
    Then she stepped close. “I will not have you jeopardizing my career. You will keep your mouth shut at E.D.G.E. or I will see your deployment here cut short, Petty Officer.”
    “Yes, ma’am,” he said without hesitation. But he held her gaze for a moment before replying. “And I’ve already told you, I won’t say anything.”
    “Good.” She turned and strode away.
    He let her get a bit ahead of him before he followed discreetly. Cat could take care of herself, but he’d been taught by his grand-mère to never let a woman walk home alone in the dark.