In Too Deep

by Lynn H. Blackburn

  “It’s nothing,” he said.

  “I don’t believe you.”

  “Oh, good grief, Bri. Are you going to make me spell it out for you?”

  “Spell what out?” This man. Most of the time she thought she understood him—got him—better than anyone else. But he was making no sense. “Somebody conked me on the head this morning, Adam. I’m not known for my ability to read emotions and nuance on my best days, so you’ll have to forgive me if I’m not following you. I’m not trying to be dense, I’m just—”

  “I’m jealous, okay? I’m jealous of Mike.” Adam’s face and neck burned bright cherry and he swallowed hard, but he didn’t drop his eyes. They bored into hers.

  Jealous?

  “I’ve heard you talk about Mike before. He’s a genius. You respect him professionally. You like him a lot. I’m sure he’s more than capable of doing this. I’m sure he’s trustworthy. I’m sure he’s a great guy.”

  “But?”

  “But I don’t like him.”

  “You haven’t even met him.” Adam was usually so rational. “Why don’t you like him?”

  “Because you do.”

  “You’re jealous of Mike because I respect him?”

  Adam shook his head and turned to walk out of her office. “When you put it that way it sounds ridiculous. Don’t worry about it, Bri. I’ll let you get back to work.”

  She should say something. Something about how Adam didn’t need to be jealous of anyone. Ever. Or maybe she could mention Mike’s wife and three kids. Or that even if Mike hadn’t been married, he wasn’t her type.

  She hadn’t realized she had a type until she met Adam.

  Tall. Lean. Strong, but not bulky. Light brown hair with a bit of a wave to it. His face was perfectly proportional. She’d run it through a program just for fun one day and the percentages were amazing. His eyes, nose, mouth, cheeks—everything was exactly where it should be.

  What did it mean, that he was jealous? Did it mean he liked her? More than as a friend or a colleague?

  She’d always thought they had a very unique bond. A relationship that was more than professional and more than friendship, but she hadn’t been able to find the word to describe it.

  Leigh told her it was called infatuation, but Sabrina had dismissed that. She’d looked the word up, and infatuation implied that someone had taken leave of their senses.

  Her senses were firing on all cylinders.

  But there were other words in the same family. Words like adoration, devotion, warmth, passion.

  Jealousy was a passionate emotion.

  She peeked around the corner of her monitor. Adam had returned to his seat, but his hands weren’t on the keyboard.

  They were laced behind his neck. Every few seconds he would shake his head with a look that was either disgust or anger. Or maybe sadness. Those emotions were too close to each other for her to distinguish easily.

  Her phone chimed. Leigh had sent a text.

  How’s your head?

  Killing me, but I’m fine.

  Ok. Take some ibuprofen. How’s Adam? Is he hovering over you?

  Not exactly.

  Really? I’m surprised.

  He said he was jealous.

  He said that?!?! Who is he jealous of? Should he be jealous? I thought you liked him?

  Sabrina stared at the text string. Leigh didn’t seem surprised that Adam was jealous. She did seem surprised that he’d told her he was jealous.

  Maybe we should talk tonight.

  Three little dots blinked back at her for a while. Was Leigh writing a book?

  Okay, but don’t be afraid to talk to Adam. He’s got it bad for you. I’m not sure how it’s possible that you’re the only one who doesn’t know that.

  He had it bad for her? And everyone knew it? Sabrina tried to think about it objectively. Rationally.

  Adam did seem to enjoy her company. Prefer it, even. And he was quite protective. He was chivalrous to a fault with everyone, but she had to admit that he took it to an entirely different level with her.

  Her heart pounded in her chest. She couldn’t let herself think like that. There was too much of a chance she was wrong. She read things wrong all the time.

  But Leigh didn’t.

  Leigh read between the lines in ways that left Sabrina dumbfounded. Leigh could read people the way Sabrina read code.

  And Leigh thought—

  Adam appeared in the doorway. “Gabe’s getting ready to leave. I was going to order lunch. Any preferences?”

  He didn’t seem flustered anymore. If anything, he was almost cool. Or tough. Like nothing you could throw at him would hurt him.

  Had she hurt him?

  The last thing she would ever want to do was hurt him.

  He was by her side so fast she barely registered that he’d moved. “Are you okay?” His eyes roved over her face.

  “I’m fine.”

  “Are you sure? You kind of spaced out there for a second.”

  Now it was her turn to flush scarlet. “Sorry. I, um, no. I’m fine. Anything is fine.”

  Adam’s worried expression didn’t lighten, but he didn’t press her further. “How about soup and sandwiches?”

  “That would be perfect,” she said.

  “Maybe you should lie down for a little while.” He pointed to the sofa in her office. “Gabe’s going to pick up the food. He’ll be at least thirty minutes.”

  “I’m good,” she said. “But thank you.”

  He frowned. “Okay.” He muttered something that sounded like “stubborn” as he returned to his desk. He placed an order that had her mouth watering, then sent a text. Probably to Gabe. He set his phone on the desk and looked over his shoulder.

  And totally caught her staring at him.

  He didn’t look away.

  Neither did she.

  Was it possible? Could Adam Campbell care for her?

  Could he possibly not know how much she cared about him?

  His hands rested on the arms of his chair and he pushed himself upward, never breaking eye contact. He’d gotten two steps toward her when a series of chirps filled the air.

  Someone was trying to access the lab.

  Someone who didn’t have permission to be there.

  Adam rushed to Sabrina’s side. He had to get his head in the game. It was clear if he waited for Sabrina to figure out how much he cared about her, they would both grow old alone. He was going to have to quit trying to be subtle and just spell it out for her. It might not be romantic, but it would be effective. Or he might just kiss her and see what happened.

  He’d been leaning toward the kiss option when they were interrupted. It was probably for the best, although . . . the way she’d been looking at him . . .

  Enough, dude. There would be plenty of time for him to come up with a PowerPoint presentation expressing his ardent devotion to one Dr. Sabrina Fleming—after they’d finished this case.

  For now, he needed to keep her safe.

  She didn’t speak as he slid behind her desk, but she did point to the monitor on her right. She’d already pulled up a video feed from the hallway.

  “Darren?” Sabrina’s shock was nothing compared to Adam’s frustration.

  Darren Campbell. Seriously? He was standing outside the lab, bearing a ginormous bouquet of red roses. Every few seconds he tried the door again, which kept the warning chirps going through the lab. He was saying something, but he wasn’t looking at the right camera, and Adam couldn’t read his lips.

  “Can you tell what he’s saying?”

  “Just a second. I keep it on mute to avoid hallway noises.” Sabrina tapped a few keys. The high-tech equipment that protected the lab included full-color cameras and microphones in the hallway outside that she had access to from her computer as well as several stations in the main lab. Only a handful of people could access the lab from the outside using the iris scanner. Everyone else had to be buzzed in, and anyone who tried to open the door too early w
as greeted with a recorded “Access denied” message.

  Darren’s saccharine words oozed through the speakers. “I know you’re in there, Dr. Fleming. I was out this morning and saw these and my thoughts flew to you. As they often do.”

  “Ugh,” Sabrina said.

  At least they were on the same page.

  “Ignore him,” Adam said.

  “Adam.” The rebuke lost all sting when she started laughing. “What am I going to do? I haven’t talked to him in months and he shows up with flowers? At my lab?”

  Darren continued speaking into the wrong camera. “I know we haven’t talked much lately, what with your work schedule and my travel. I want to make it up to you. I don’t think you realize how much you mean to me. And I don’t care who knows it.”

  “I think I just threw up a little,” Adam said.

  “You and me both.” Sabrina stood. “I’ll let him in.”

  “Where do you want me to go?”

  “I don’t want you to go anywhere. I want you to stay right here. I don’t have time for this nonsense, and maybe he’ll be a bit less, er, amorous if you’re here.” She cringed as if the thought of an amorous Darren Campbell was disgusting to her.

  Hallelujah. “I’m here for you.” He followed her out of her office and paused by the desk he’d claimed as his own.

  Sabrina pushed the entry button from the wall farthest away from the door, and he heard the click as it unlatched. Darren walked all the way into the lab with a confident smile on his face.

  “Sabrina. Darling. These are for you.” He extended the flowers, but Sabrina didn’t reach for them. Everything about her body language screamed “Go away.”

  “Darren, I hope you’ll understand that I can’t accept such an extravagant show of affection. It would be inappropriate and might give the wrong impression.”

  Adam gave a silent cheer.

  Darren extended the flowers again. “Nonsense.” Darren still hadn’t noticed Adam.

  Sabrina backed up farther. Adam dug his fingers into the edge of the desk. He didn’t want Sabrina to get the idea that he thought she couldn’t handle herself, but she’d been attacked this morning and Darren was coming way too close to overstepping the bounds of propriety.

  Grandmother would be livid.

  Darren paused. The overdone earnestness of his expression faltered for a moment, and a calculating look took its place. Almost as soon as it appeared, it was replaced with one of excessive concern. “Sabrina, what on earth happened to you?” He stretched his hand toward her head, and she stepped back again. This time she bumped into the desk.

  He had quite literally backed her into a corner.

  Jerk.

  Darren took one more step and stretched his hand toward Sabrina’s head.

  Adam had had enough. “If you touch her, I will break your fingers.”

  Darren froze. Sabrina took the opportunity to slide around the desk so it was now between her and Darren.

  Darren turned toward him. “Hello there, cousin. I didn’t realize I was interrupting official police business.”

  “Who said you were?”

  “Why else would you be here?” Darren looked around the room. “In this empty lab. With Dr. Fleming. Alone.” The words were spoken with false sincerity. The insinuation rang through the room.

  “Why do you not understand that Sabrina doesn’t wish to accept those flowers? Nor does she want you to touch her. This is the part where a gentleman retreats with grace.”

  Darren returned his gaze to Sabrina. “Have you lost the ability to speak, my dear? Is Adam harassing you? Should I call security? Or perhaps the sheriff?”

  Adam could only hope Sabrina wouldn’t be concerned by Darren’s bluff and bluster.

  “Darren, let me be clear,” she said. “I have never dated you, nor do I intend to date you in the future. If you misconstrued my agreement to attend a few fundraisers with you—despite the fact that I made myself quite clear on those occasions as well—then let there be no possible mistaking my words or intention now. I don’t want the flowers, the attention, the phone calls, or the gifts. They aren’t endearing you to me. Have I made myself clear?”

  His lips flattened into a thin line. “Crystal.”

  He turned on his heel and stalked from the room. When he reached the door, he turned back. “Watch out for that one,” he said with a vicious glare in Adam’s direction. “He’s not known as the family heartbreaker for nothing.”

  He placed the flowers on the nearest desk and walked out the door.

  Sabrina held herself straight, her mouth set as he left, but the second the door sealed behind him, she sagged against the desk.

  “Bri.” Adam was by her side in seconds. He pulled her against him and her arms wrapped around him.

  Oh, how he could get used to this. He would give anything to be able to hold her when things were good instead of only daring to when things were falling apart.

  Still . . .

  “I’m sorry,” she said.

  “For what? You were amazing.”

  “I never should have said yes the first time.”

  “You cannot be serious.” He leaned away from her and tilted her chin so she had to look at him. “He’s scum. I’m sorry I’m related to him. I thought he was all right, but clearly he’s not. There’s a predatory streak in him that I had no idea was there.”

  Sabrina’s eyes closed, and she rested her head against his chest. “You can’t help who you’re related to. Trust me.”

  “I didn’t mean—”

  “I know you didn’t,” she said.

  A bitter laugh floated toward him. “What’s funny?”

  “I don’t even like red roses.”

  “What do you have against roses?”

  “Nothing,” she said. “I love them. But red roses are for love. Totally inappropriate. Yellow roses or even pink or peach would have at least made sense.”

  What was she talking about? “You lost me.”

  “It’s nothing.” Her words were muffled against his chest. “Flowers have meanings, that’s all.”

  He would have stood there for an eternity, but that wasn’t the best idea for her. “Do you want to sit down? Lie down?”

  “No,” she said.

  Was it possible she’d stepped even closer to him? He dared reach one hand to her hair. She had great hair. Straight and falling down to her mid-back, brown with some lighter streaks that he suspected were natural because Sabrina wasn’t the hair-salon type. When it was down, it often had a bit of an unkempt look—like she’d run her hands through it a lot—which she did and was why he supposed she kept it up in a messy bun most of the time.

  But this morning’s hospital adventure had led to it being down all day. He let it slide gently through his fingers. It was as soft and silky as he’d imagined it would—

  The door buzzed. Appropriately this time. No weird chimes or warning signals accompanied this request for entry.

  “That must be Gabe,” Sabrina said against his chest.

  “Probably,” he said.

  “We should let him in.” Sabrina made no effort to move.

  “Do we have to?” He risked squeezing her closer, and her acquiescence left him in a state of stunned bliss. He’d seen the way she had stood up to Darren. This wasn’t a woman who couldn’t make herself—or her desires—known. If she didn’t want to be there, in his arms, she wouldn’t be.

  “Gabe who?”

  Oh man. He was a goner.

  The door buzzed again.

  “I don’t think he’s going to go away,” she said.

  “No.”

  “He’ll probably call the police if we don’t open the door.”

  “I am the police.”

  Sabrina laughed and pushed herself away from him. He released her by inches and saw the moment the realization touched her eyes. She knew he wanted her.

  At least, he thought she did.

  She hit the buzzer and Gabe walked in with two huge ba
gs and set them on the counter. “Hey,” he said.

  “Hey,” Adam and Sabrina replied in unison.

  Gabe pulled containers from one bag. “Well, don’t rush to thank me for bringing the food or anything.”

  “Thank you, Gabe,” Sabrina said. She joined him at the counter. “You’re a lifesaver.”

  He looked at Adam. “See. That’s what I’m talking about.” He turned back to Sabrina. “We have tomato soup with cheese curds, vegetable beef, and chicken and dumplings. Name your poison.”

  “I’ll have the tomato, please.” She flashed a brilliant smile at Gabe, and Adam didn’t even bother to deny the swell of annoyance that filled him at the sight of it. She was just being nice.

  “If you’ll excuse me for a moment, I’m going to wash my hands.” She disappeared down the short hall to the secure restroom.

  As soon as she was out of sight, Gabe was in Adam’s face. “What on earth, dude? You can’t bust a move on the girl when she has a concussion.”

  “I wasn’t . . .” The denial died in his throat. She did have a concussion. He shouldn’t take advantage of that.

  Gabe doubled over in laughter. “I’m only joking, man, but apparently you have something to feel a wee bit guilty about.”

  “I didn’t . . .”

  Gabe pulled three sandwiches from the bag. “Seriously, man, I’m kidding. It’s about time, buddy.”

  Sabrina reappeared, and to Adam’s shock, Gabe dropped the subject. No teasing. No snide remarks.

  Gabe pulled a chair out and ushered her into it. “Girlfriend, you need to take a nap. Let’s eat and talk fast so you can lock things up and go home. Well, not home exactly. Maybe to Leigh’s?”

  “She’s insisting,” Sabrina said with a groan.

  “What’s wrong with Leigh’s?” Gabe put a bowl of soup, a spoon, and a grilled cheese sandwich in front of her. “She has great food. Plenty of room. Gorgeous views. If you sleep in the guest room, get the one on the right side of the bathroom downstairs. It has the best mattress. Trust me.”

  Sabrina smiled. “She’s texted me a couple of times. She’s excited for me to come. She doesn’t work tonight, so I guess that’s what I’ll do.” She shifted toward Adam. “But I’ll need to go back to my place to get my things.”