Pandora's Box

Chapter 11

Winter, 2013
Solimar Cafe
Ibiza

Pandora had to admit, Rhys knew what he was talking about when he said he knew places to eat. While he had said it was his first time in Ibiza, he had also winked and said there was nothing TripAdvisor couldn't help with. And as Pandora sat shoving the last of her jacket potato smothered in sour cream as the clock hit 1PM, she heartily agreed with Rhys. The man in question now sat opposite her, taking a swig of his long black, his plate of bacon and eggs polished clean. Her own latte stood waiting for her. As Pandora pushed her plate of finished food aside and pulled her mug to her, the sigh of joy that came from her as she took a whiff of her latte, had Rhys smiling.

"Better?" he asked gently.

She nodded with a grin. "Human." she stated, laughing when Rhys did.

"Now..." he started. Pandora grunted. "Do we really have to?' she asked, obviously reluctant.

"CIA doesn't exactly encourage in-office relationships, Dora. There is no policy against it persay, but Howard and Benedict won't be happy if they hear." he explained.

"We kissed! That's all there is to it." she waved her fingers.

His eyes widened. "Do you go around randomly kissing your colleagues?" Rhys asked in a measured tone.

Pandora's eyes immediately widened, and she almost choked on her latte, sputtering. "No! No, that's not what I meant! It's ju-"

"I like you, Dora Eve Talbott." Rhys stated matter-of-factly.

She paused, caught off guard. Pandora had admired Rhys from afar since the first day. Sure he's been judgmental, but that had been quickly shaken off. And from then on, not only has he been courteous and kind, he's also proven a great friend, especially how he ferries her home on his super-bike every night. But like? Does it.... Really?

Her perplexed look seem to make him nervous, for he piped up again. "But I don't want to give you the wrong idea that I'm just around for a quick fu-"

"Don't, even say that." she shut him up with a finger. "You're a polite gentleman, Ryland Jarett. But.... We've only gotten to know each other for two months at most. My probation isn't even up yet. I-"

"You're spunky, gregarious, daring, headstrong," he said that with a roll of his eyes, and Pandora couldn't help the sheepish laugh. "You know what  you want and you're unafraid to get it, even if it proves others wrong. Dora, you're unlike anyone I've ever met, and I find myself worrying over your safety, so... you don't necessarily dislike me, do you?"

"Well..." she dragged it out, looking at Rhys. His boyishly eager look made her crack with a smile, and she shook her head. "No, not necessarily. You're... interesting. I'm curious, but I wouldn't go so far as to say I fancy you, y'know."

"We can take it slow. We'll be here in Ibiza for a couple of days more. Let's catch that ass tonight, ship him back to Chicago tomorrow for Tricia and Howard to deal with, and enjoy the rest of the week here." he suggested with a grin.

"You mean they won't order us back immediately?' she asked, surprised.

He shook his head. "Not all the time. There are no pressing matters, and the flight has been booked for the end of the week. Changing the schedule would mean higher cost. So... perk of the job, if we finish our work fast, we get a few days off in a foreign place."

She grinned then, a smile that reached her blue eyes as her fingers closed around her latte mug. "Fine. You have an agreement, Ryland Jarett. Let's... see where this goes."