His Cybernetic Secretary

12. Chrysanthemum

Dante Holden was a problem.

Not a dangerous problem, just a distracting one.

Chrys’ systems had informed her of this approximately forty-seven times since boarding the aircraft.

ELEVATED HEART RATE DETECTED.

FACIAL RESPONSE: ATTRACTION.

BEHAVIORAL PATTERN: FLIRTATION.

RECOMMENDATION: MAINTAIN PROFESSIONAL DISTANCE.

Chrys had acknowledged each notification. She had also ignored most of them. Dante was difficult not to like.

He was warm where Xavier was reportedly cold. He laughed easily. He asked questions because he was genuinely curious rather than because he was calculating how the answers could benefit him.

And he was very, very interested in her.

Her systems were particularly enthusiastic about informing her of that last part. Every time Dante looked at her mouth, an alert appeared.

Every time he leaned closer, another appeared. When his pulse increased, she received a notification. When his pupils dilated, another. It was becoming excessive. Chrys suspected her systems were enjoying themselves. After awhile her nerves wore off and she was beginning to as well.

“So,” Dante said, settling into the seat across from her. “How long are you going to keep pretending you don’t like me?”

She looked up from her tablet. “I don’t have to pretend.”

His smile widened. “See? That’s exactly the kind of answer I’m talking about.”

“I wasn’t aware we were talking about anything.”

He laughed. Another alert.

HE IS AMUSED.

Chrys almost smiled. Almost.

Dante caught it anyway.

“There.”

“There what?”

“You smiled.”

“I did not.”

“You did.”

“I assure you, my facial muscles are functioning normally.”

He shook his head.

“You’re a smartass.”

“Is that a compliment?”

“Absolutely.”

She returned her attention to the tablet.

Her systems reminded her Dante was still watching her. She already knew. She could feel his attention without needing the data, and that was something she hadn’t expected.

There were things her systems could measure, there were things they could predict.

But there were also things Chrys simply… noticed.

Dante made her feel comfortable. That was new, and perhaps a little dangerous. Her primary directive remained unchanged.

XAVIER HOLDEN.

Her destination.

Her employer.

Her objective.

Every system within her understood that priority. Dante was not the objective. Chrys reminded herself of that when he smiled.

She reminded herself of it when his voice softened and when he leaned across the table and said, “You know, you could just admit you’re enjoying this.”

“I am enjoying the conversation.”

“Not me?”

She looked directly into his eyes.

“You are the conversation.”

He went silent. Her systems immediately registered the change.

HEART RATE ELEVATED.

RESPONSE DELAY: 2.3 SECONDS.

Interesting… she tilted her head.

“Did I make you uncomfortable?”

“No.”

“You’re lying.”

His grin returned.

“Maybe a little.”

She allowed herself a small smile.

“That makes two of us.”

His eyebrows rose.

Before he could respond, Chrys returned to her tablet. There. Professional, safe, exactly where she needed to keep things, because whatever Dante made her feel, she understood the boundaries.

She was being transported to Xavier Holden.

She belonged with his company.

His schedule.

His objectives.

Her systems had been designed around him.

And yet…

She found herself wondering what Xavier would think when he saw his brother sitting across from her. She wondered if he would notice the chemistry. She wondered if he would care, and then immediately wondered why she did.

Then another alert appeared.

NEW PRIMARY LOCATION APPROACHING.

Chrys glanced toward the window, the city lights were beginning to appear below them. They were getting close.

Dante followed her gaze. “Almost there.”

“Yes.”

He studied her. “Nervous?”

She considered the question while her systems searched for the appropriate response.

NO SIGNIFICANT ANXIETY DETECTED.

She Ignored the report.

“Yes,” she said.

Dante smiled.

“Good.”

She looked at him.

“Why?”

“Because that means you’re human enough to be nervous.”

Chrys wasn’t sure what to say to that, so she just smiled and looked back toward the city.

Xavier Holden was waiting.

And suddenly, for the first time since she had been activated, she wasn’t entirely sure whether she was more curious about meeting him…

or what meeting him would change.