LOVE BORN IN DANGER

The piercing shriek of alarms went onto the corridor. Crunching boots pounded the waxed floor, security cries bellowing in staccato bursts. Cut him off at the west wing! Someone shouted. The heart of the thief gave to fear, a raging fire in his lungs as he ran down the hall, seconds, maybe less, before they overpowered him. Every turn was a gamble. He shoved through a door blindly and slipped inside. The room was absolutely silent, filled with serenity. The quietness startled him; one minute, pandemonium, the next, the muted click of pen upon paper. At the back of the office, a woman sat at a desk. Glasses were perched upon her nose, her hair tied back neatly, but a single strand had been teased free and stroked her cheek. Sheets of paper were scattered out in front of her, a computer softly lit. She stared up, surprised, her eyes meeting his eyes. Her pen hovered over the paper. Who are you? Keep quiet. He closed the door loudly and propped his back against it. His chest moved in and out, harsh breaths pushing through the air. Don't say a word. Her eyebrows shut up, unflinching despite the order. You aren't supposed to be here. He grumbled, looking down the hallway. The voices were approaching. He growled under his breath, then turned to her again. Listen, I just… She sat back in her chair. If you think you can hide here, then you made a mistake. This is the executive floor. They will find you. His lips curled into a sneer, but perspiration beaded on his temple. Then you will have to help me out Footsteps thundered just outside before she could respond. Knuckles banged on the door. Check in here! She glanced at the handle as her eyes grew wide. He crossed the gap between them, moving more quickly than he had instinctively. He took hold of her arm and drew her in as she gasped. What are you doing? His voice was sharp as he whispered, I need you to help me, please play along. The handle of the door shook. He pressed his mouth to hers, he cupped her face in both hands. She felt a surge of shock. Her hands rose as though to push him away as she tensed. However, something else entangled with the heat of his lips and the unadulterated desperation in the kiss, a sudden shock that went right through her chest. Footsteps paused outside as his hand moved to the back of her neck, intensifying the kiss. One guard whispered, just a couple in here. The footsteps backed off. The strain broke, breathless, she ripped her lips away and slammed her palm against his chest. What on earth was that? Still close enough for her to feel the whisper against her skin, he said, Cover. Her cheeks were burning. You kissed me, she registered her displeasure. I saved us both. Infuriatingly calm, his smirk reappeared, before yanking it back as if it were burning. You can’t just break into my office and harass me, I will call the security on you When lives are at stake, I can. His gaze swept across her face as he c****d his head. In addition, you didn't exactly back off immediately. She blinked, confusion and rage battling within her. Avoid flattering yourself, I was taken aback. His lips quivered as he repeated, taken back? Interesting choice of words. Desperate to hide the surge of heat within her, she folded her arms. You're conceited and careless. You are also trespassing, regardless of who you are. He leaned back a little, but his eyes were still fixed on hers. And you're too composed for someone who was just kissed by a stranger who broke into her office. She clenched her jaw, you did not just break in, you stormed in without any etiquette. His smile got bigger. What! A storm? I’ll take that. Their eyes met, his amused but tinged with something darker, hers blazing with outrage. The alarms outside were still going off, but they were now faint. The robber let out a breath and combed through his hair. I should leave before your friends return. Even though her heart was still racing frantically, she shot back, Please do. He walked over to the window but stopped at the desk. His eyes landed on the documents she had been working on. A secretary working at late hours? It is none of your business, I decide to do whatever I want to do. Something unreadable flickered in his eyes as he glanced up at her once more. What's your name? She paused. Why should I tell you? Because you wish to She opened her mouth, then shut it. The ease with which he disarmed her was something she detested. At last, she found her voice and said, Neriah. Gently, as if to test its flavor, he repeated it, Neriah. She shifted uneasily. How about yours? He laughed. Someday you'll find out With one foot on the window edge, he prepared to disappear. However, he glanced back at her before sneaking out. He stared at her lips for a moment, then looked up at her. Neriah, you taste like trouble. Her breath caught, but he vanished into the night before she could react. Her heart pounded in her chest as she stood motionless. Slowly, she lifted her fingers to her lips, trembling at the memory of his touch. Outside, the sound of the alarms subsided and was replaced by silence, without him, the room felt incredibly empty. The door flew open, Neriah jumped, spinning toward the intruder; her boss, the stern and calculating head of operations, Mr. Rogers, walked in with his eyes piercing. He looked around the room and demanded, What happened here? His eyes lingered on her unkempt hair and flushed cheeks. I... her voice trailed off. She took a deep breath. Nothing, I was simply working. His face was marked with suspicion as he examined her closely, her heart pounded. The thief reportedly came this way, He squinted his eyes. You saw no one? She tried to keep her eyes steady. No, I didn't. Her throat was burned by the lie. Before turning to face the window, Mr. Rogers's gaze lingered for a moment more, it was open a little. He walked over and looked at the frame. Her heart bits faster than she could imagine. Slowly he turned back, his face gloomy. Neriah's breath became normal when he finally said, Lock up when you're done, his voice was tinged with suspicion. Then, with a heavy click, the door behind him closed and he was gone. Neriah gripped the edge of the desk and sank into her chair. Shallow bursts of air rose and fell in her chest. What had just taken place? When she closed her eyes, all she could see was him: the thief, his lips, his eyes, and the fire he had started in one careless instant. Torn between fear, anger, and a weird, perilous thrill, she pressed her palms to her face. Her phone then buzzed. Staring at the screen, she froze, not a number. The message only contains one word: Until the next time. She gasped. How? She shook in the office lights when the screen blacked out and her heart pounded against her ribcage. Neriah felt the earth beneath her shift for the first time in her life and she was aware that whatever storm had struck her tonight was far from over. It was just getting started.