9. Chapter Nine

Chapter Nine

B old

After setting her office to rights, Jasmine and I are both in desperate need of a reset. The stress of the day clings to us like a second skin, and I can see the tension in the set of her shoulders, the furrow of her brow.

"Hey," I say gently, nudging her with my elbow. "After we get home, why don't we take a breather? Grab a shower, change into something comfy, and reconvene in your pool house in half an hour? Restaurants won't deliver to the Zone, so since I don't know what's good, I'll leave the food ordering to you."

Jasmine looks up at me, her smile tired but grateful. "Pad Thai and spring rolls?"

I shrug. "I liked the Indian. Introduce me to Thai, oh great one."

"How hot can you take it?" Is she talking about food, or something… sexier?

"I grew up eating Other food, Jasmine. Do your worst."

Thirty minutes after I arrive back at my pod, I'm lounging on the couch in her pool house living room. I took her at face value when she told me to let myself in when I was ready.

I'm freshly showered and wearing nothing but my favorite pair of faded jeans. It's a relief to shed the shirt and just breathe.

I hear Jasmine's footsteps and glance up, my mouth going dry. She's wearing shorts and a soft, oversized tee that slips off one shoulder, revealing the smooth skin beneath. Her damp hair curls around her face, making her look young and vulnerable. And beautiful.

She pads to the couch, tucking her legs under her as she sits beside me. "Food's on the way. I hope you were good as your word on your tolerance for spice."

I nod, trying not to stare at the way her shirt has ridden up, exposing a tantalizing strip of her thigh.

Changing the subject, I ask, "How you holding up, Jasmine? Walking in and seeing your office ransacked must have felt terrifying."

Jasmine sighs, leaning her head back against the cushion. "Honestly? I'm exhausted. And angry. And violated. Why would someone do this? I mean, I'm not stupid. I understand why, but… it's scary and so unfair."

After chuffing in sympathy, I say, "I get it. But Jasmine, try not to let this rattle you. The cops dusted for prints and they're going to review security cam footage from neighboring shops. They'll find something."

She nods, biting her bottom lip with her teeth. It's distractingly sexy. "Maybe. They didn't seem too invested in finding the perpetrators of what they deemed a harmless break-in—even when I explained the nature of my work. They argued that no one was hurt and the confidential files weren't compromised. I just hate feeling helpless. I want to do something."

Leaning closer, I say, "The security equipment I ordered online should arrive tomorrow. I'll get your place locked up so tight this will never happen again. Let me show you what I have planned."

We spend the next hour huddled together, our heads bent over her laptop as I show her all I've bought: security systems, cameras, and reinforced locks. When the food arrives, we absently munch on spring rolls and pad Thai. The noodles are almost—almost—too spicy for me. I will go to my grave keeping that secret from her, though.

It feels good to have a plan. And even better to be making that plan with Jasmine. We bounce ideas off each other, our thoughts in sync. I can't help but notice how well we work together, how naturally we understand and anticipate each other.

By the time we polish off the last of the food, we have a solid plan of attack for tomorrow.

"By noon tomorrow, your office will be locked up tighter than Fort Knox."

As we've already agreed, I'll personally escort Jasmine to and from work every day and stay with her as closely as her professional ethics will allow. We'll vary our route to avoid falling into a predictable pattern.

Jasmine sets down her empty takeout container, looking lighter than she has all day. "This is great, Bold. I feel… I don't know, empowered? Like I'm taking back some control."

I grin at her, feeling a swell of pride. "Damn right. I'm not going to let some greedy, small-dicked, assholes disrupt your life."

She laughs, bright and surprised, and the sound warms me from the inside out. "Small-dicked assholes?"

I shrug, unrepentant. "Tell me I'm wrong."

"Oh, I'm sure you're right," she chuckles, leaning into my side. Her head rests on my bare shoulder and I tense for a moment before relaxing into the contact. It feels nice. Right. Somehow, though, if her dad were to walk through the door right now, I imagine he would beg to differ.

We stay like this for a long moment, just breathing together. The silence is comfortable. I could get used to this. Used to having Jasmine close, used to being her person.

Finally, she stirs, sitting up to stretch. I immediately miss her warmth. "Thanks for today," she says softly, her gaze finding mine. "For being there, for taking charge, for… making me feel safe. I'd be a wreck without you, Bold. This is my passion. I wonder if I'd be thinking about abandoning it if I didn't have you."

My heart clenches at the raw sincerity in her voice. "You won't have to do that. I'm not going anywhere, Jasmine."

She smiles, soft and sweet, and I feel that now-familiar tug in my chest. Ah, fuck. I'm in trouble. I don't know how it happened, but somewhere in the last few days, I've developed feelings for the bright, compassionate woman I'm charged to protect. But looking at her now, her face open and trusting, I can't bring myself to regret it. Whatever this is between us, I'm all in. No backing down.

After all, "bold" is more than just my name. It's a promise. And when it comes to Jasmine, it's a promise I intend to keep.