Restless (Element Preservers, #4) by Alycia Linwood Page B

hours. "I think I could go to the office early." Adrian's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "What?" I said defensively. "I don't have anything on my schedule and this is the time when my guards switch shifts because I'm supposed to be safely in class. That means you could come to my office without anyone knowing, not even Lily."
    "That's not a bad idea. I can sneak inside the building without a problem, but leave the door open." Adrian's face lit up.
    "Will do." I sensed someone approaching and I could tell Adrian felt it too, because he strolled down the hall without another word to me. It was concerning how easily Adrian could get to my office without being noticed because that meant someone else could do it too. However, no one could predict I'd go to the office without my guards or leave the door open, so I guessed I was as safe as I could be. As for Adrian, I didn't want to be safe from him.

Chapter 13
     
    I couldn't remember when was the last time I was so eager to go to work. Katherine, my secretary, gaped at me as I walked into the lobby, her eyes widening slightly. She frowned at the clock on the wall, no doubt worried she was late with something.
    "Hi, how's it going?" I said, unable to hide the smile on my face.
    "Hi, Ria. I didn't expect to see you here so early." Katherine hesitated for a moment, but then she ruffled through the papers on her desk. "I have your schedule right here somewhere..."
    "It's ok. I have my copy. I just wanted to tell you that I have some things to do, so please don't let anyone into my office and tell them I can't receive them."
    "Sure." She found the paper she was looking for and set it aside.
    "Thanks." I quickened my pace, trying to rein in my excitement. I left the door slightly open so Adrian could enter without alerting anyone of his presence. Lily had suggested we should have cameras around the office, but that would be more of a danger to us than anything else. We didn't need any material that could prove who visited me and who didn't.
    Dropping my bag on the floor, I settled myself in my chair and turned on the computer. Two minutes later, I was drumming my fingers on the desk, nervously expecting Adrian's arrival. My breath got stuck in my chest when the door moved a little and Adrian's dark head peered in. I'd almost thought someone else came to see me. It was tricky to be in a room from which you couldn't feel elements. Not that my element sensing ability would be of any help with another carrier or someone with an element-blocking bracelet, but I doubted the government would send someone like that after me. Adrian closed the door behind him and I locked it with my element.
    As he crossed the room toward me, I couldn't help but hope no one had seen him coming here. His presence in this building was a huge risk for both of us, but my office was one of the rare places where I couldn't feel elements. I got up, and Adrian pulled me into his arms, holding me close to his chest. I clung onto him, content just with being able to touch him.
    "God, I wish we could do this all the time," he whispered. "If you didn't have so many things to do, we could camp in here."
    "Yeah, it would be awesome to hide you in my office, but I'd never get any work done with you around me." I closed my eyes for a moment, breathing in Adrian's familiar scent of pine and musk. "And it would be a disaster if someone saw you." Alan could never explain Adrian's prolonged absence either.
    "I miss the days when we could lie on the bed for hours and hold each other." He buried his head in my hair.
    I let my hands roam down his back. "I miss that too."
    "I don't want to lose you because of this fucked up situation we are in." He caressed my cheek, running his thumb down my jaw, and pulled me in for a kiss, his soft lips brushing against mine. I deepened the kiss, running my hand through his short, black hair. Our tongues intertwined, sending waves of pleasure through my body.
    The phone rang, startling us. I broke