bChapter /bb646 /b

    Just as Rachel’s hand was about to touch him, Tyler’s eyes suddenly snapped open. Rachel froze mid- motion, caught in his deep gaze that could swallow her whole.

    They locked eyes for a few seconds before Tyler abruptly reached up, cupped the back of her neck, and pulled her into a kiss–so sudden, it stole her breath.

    Rachel could feel his breathing turn rough, his body temperature spiking even through the thin fabric

    between them.

    Her mind wentpletely nk. Her body just moved in rhythm with his.

    It wasn’t until things started slipping out of her control that her rationale kicked back in. Panicked, she pushed at his chest.

    “Tyler, you’re insane. You’re still injured!”

    “Injured or not, that doesn’t affect my performance.”

    Rachel was speechless.

    Afterward, Rachel stared at Tyler, who was already fast asleep. Something about it didn’t sit right with

    her. A suspicion crept in–had he nned this?

    She smacked her forehead in frustration. Of course, she had fallen for his tricks again.

    Her body felt utterly drained, every ounce of strength wrung out of her. But she still had more important

    things to do.

    Careful not to wake him, she nced down at her rumpled clothes. Feelingpletely ufortable,

    she tiptoed out of the room.

    She ran right into Yale, who had juste back with a bag. Rachel was instantly worried he’d notice something was offb, /bso she rushed to speak first.

    “Tyler’s already asleep.”

    Yale let bout /ba sigh of relief.

    “That’s good. As long as bMr. /bHunt’s sleeping, everything’s fine. Oh, he asked me before we left to pick up

    some clothes for you, since you might need to stay here a while longer.”

    Rachel’s heart sank. The sense of foreboding grew stronger.

    She couldn’t shake the feeling that this had all been orchestrated by Tyler. He was too prepared, like

    everything was falling neatly into his n.

    Of course, she didn’t have proof of this yet.

    “Thanks.”

    She took the bag back to her room, and when she opened it and saw the intimate apparel, she bit her lip.

    ‘Tyler!‘

    Was there anything that man hadn’t already calcted? It was terrifying!

    Still, she had to admit, slipping into fresh clothes felt amazing.

    After a quick shower, she changed and finally felt refreshed.

    She rejoined Jerry to continue working.

    Jerry nced at the finished data, then at Rachel’s obviously worn–out face. He couldn’t help but ask, ”

    Rachel, why were you in there so long? Is Mr. Hunt’s insomnia really that bad?”

    Rachel froze mid–yawn. She hadn’t expected Jerry to ask that so directly.

    She knew he was already in his twenties, but he was hopelessly inexperienced when it came to rtionships.

    After pondering for a moment, she decided to deflect it.

    “I was just discussing a few things with him. You know theirpany’s in trouble right now. But listen,

    we’ll need to change the location of our final project.”

    Jerry, ever straightforward, let the topic slide. “I thought going international was the safest bet. Domestic

    projects are itoo /ieasy to track.”

    Rachel shook her head.

    “Thest three projects were all based overseas. Tyler’s already starting to notice something’s off. If we

    push this one abroad too, don’t you think he’ll start connecting the dots?”