“Nice to meet you,” I said after him.
He waved and vanished inside his own oversized black Bentley.
Declan’s deep voice sounded close enough to my ear to make me jump. “Miss Thompson?”
“Sorry.” I got in and then realized it was just him and me together in the back seat.
A thick partition separated us from the front of the car. Somehow, I was alone with Declan Dark again, looking like we were ready to go hiking instead of work.
Almost like…we were on a date.
I coughed.
Declan settled himself only a few feet from me, his powerful thighs resting on the seat. If I moved slightly to the right and he moved slightly to the left, we’d be touching.
There was a part of me, a deep dark part that wouldn’t go away, saying to do it. Move in just slightly.
Maybe I’d get answers that way.
No, Samantha would get answers that way. Royal didn’t have the balls.
“Everything all right?” Declan asked.
I gave him a half-smile. “Yes.” I pulled my backpack into my lap and slid the paper inside. I’d get Xander’s help on this later, to make sure every single bit of information I gave Dark wasn’t able to be traced back to me.
“What’s in the backpack?” Declan asked, peering over like he was trying to see inside.
I zipped it up, set it aside, and smiled politely. “The first rule of going somewhere you’ve never been before is to be prepared.” When he arched his eyebrow, I continued. “I do a lot of hiking. Anytime I go out—especially on my own—I bring more than I need. You never know what you’re going to run into. Or what kind of trouble someone else has gotten themselves into.”
“You know, that’s the most I’ve heard you talk,” Declan said. Though he didn’t look happy about it in the slightest.
I shrugged. “Hiking is a passion.”
“Then you’ll be right in your element today.” Declan shifted in the seat so he could meet my gaze head-on. “Dark Enterprises is getting into commercial real estate.”
“Why?”
His gaze flickered with surprise.
I bit my lip. “Sorry. It’s none of my business.”
“It wasn’t business,” he said, voice rough, “it was a family decision. Regardless, we’re looking to purchase land in one of two spots at the foothills just north of here. We’ll be building a resort, good for tourists with excellent views, close proximity to recreation. But it’s important to retain the integrity of the area, disturb the environment and wildlife as little as possible. It’s a balance.”
I nodded, already feeling excitement fluttering inside. Declan had been right. I was in my element. I volunteered every summer to help keep the trails up. We collected trash, rebuilt any structures that had been damaged, and saw firsthand the kind of effect humans could have on ecosystems and our fragile world.
If Dark Enterprises was going to build a resort to cater to the rich or whoever else wanted to be closer to nature, I was going to make sure they did as little damage as possible.
“You look interested,” Declan said, leaning back in his seat and resting his strong fingers on his thighs.
I shrugged. “It’s an interesting project.”
He gave a low chuckle. “Right. You’re a little easier to read than that.”
“What? What was that? A laugh?” I asked. “Are you even allowed to laugh?”
He smiled again. “On the third Tuesday of every month.”
“Wow. So I’m witnessing something very rare.”
His smile lingered, changing his face entirely, and nearly blinding me. It was the whole package, his ballcap and jeans, the curve of his lips that said we were sharing a moment, something he didn’t often share with anyone. It hit me hard.
I was falling for my boss. Just slightly, but it was hard not to when he spoke to me like I was on the same level. Like he respected me. When he shared the same views on keeping the environment safe. When our gazes connected in such a powerful moment of electricity, it made my breath catch. How could I not fall just a little?
I yanked my gaze away and looked out the window, my eyes drawn to the comfort of the mountains, the safeness of the trees. The fog was lifting, the sun parting low clouds that had kept the city and mountains under dimness for days.
I dared to flick my gaze back at Declan just briefly. His eyes were still on me, his jaw set and hands curled into fists on his thighs.
Mountains. Those were my happy place. I stared at them even as I continued to feel Declan’s eyes on me. What the fuck? Was he trying to solve a puzzle?
I shifted in my seat as my body grew warm. I wasn’t sure it was ultimately disturbing or insanely sexy that I was that puzzle.
The more I thought about it, the more my body responded to his gaze. My nipples tightened into hard peaks and a low hum of pleasure hit me right between the legs.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Declan lean toward me, close enough I felt the heat of his arm against mine.
Then he slowly reached out and pointed in the direction I was looking. “There’s our first location.”
My breath caught. His lips were practically on my ear, his breath teasing the wispy hair at my temples.
In any other circumstance, I’d be screaming sexual harassment. But Samantha didn’t feel harassed at all. She felt turned on. And if I wanted to be honest, so did Royal.
What the hell was Declan doing? Trying to seduce his new assistant? Was I even his assistant? I didn’t even have a title. Just…intern.
Intern with benefits, apparently.
The pavement ended and the car bounced over the muddy ruts and bumps.
Declan pressed a button on a
