CLAMPED WITH ME FOREVER

ly'

razor-sharp as he negotiated the aftermath from Alexandra's unexpected arrival. His obligations were

l statements at my desk, my phone

visit my

ded to his office. He was pacing back and fo

g?" locking the door

at me, his countenance sombre. "I need

inquired, ready for what

stem," he continued, speaking softly. "I need yo

down my spine. "hijacked?

said, frustrated raking a hand through his hai

chologically getting ready for the work

e organization. The idea of someone breaching our systems, particularly someone as crafty a

rities, hours became days. Julian visited often; his presence both comfort and a press

pping a beat. Buried in the logs, there was proof of a breach-one line of code not fitt

I knocked on Julian's offic

ght, he said

der with my results. "Juli

d, his gaze narro

were right." "There's evidence of a breach,

epening with every instant. "This is

do?" My voice just abo

uttered, his jaw locked with will

ded. Julian was an action man; he could not s

on his arm before I could stop m

ed his demeanor. "I'll." Still, you should

only to have his intensity

me, Emily." "I have to be safe; I

ons and my want to assist. At last I nodded, my vo

. My heart weighty with concern, I watched him go. Knowing he was entering a perilous

ring at the clock, urging Julian to come back under control. At last, he stormed through the

s side, "Julian!" I

ored. "She understood. She turned ag

n?" My voice fal

I agreed to a merger," he added, sliding into his chair. "I had

f the matter, my heart dropped. "

only way to keep everything from disintegr

ering as I stretched out and rested a palm on h

is eyes. "I don't know Emily, what to do. I have worked my entire l

ned, then gently relaxed into my embrace, his arms encircling me in turn. For what felt

his face embarrassed. "

quick grin. Don't be. I am her

t intensity. " appreciate Emily. Witho

nd professional had become hazy. But I had no interest. Julian needed me, hence all that

ian was obliged to give his authority back-off. I observed as he battled to

e stared at me, the way his eye stayed just a little too long. Every time he

that I couldn't ignore how I felt about him-that my pulse raced anytime he was close. So one e

d, my voice almost

eyes to meet

ispered, "I have to tell you someth

gently started to blossom across his face. "I know," he murmu

e threats, the risks none of it counted. All that counted was

ahead we would tackle them together. We had discovered something more val