Under His Protection (Protect and Defend 1)

He arched a brow, dark and sexy and full of skepticism. “Ruining what?”

God, the man could hardly say more than two words to her. “I was trying to talk to that woman inside the coffee shop and I think you freaked her out.”

Well, she was exaggerating a little, but Suzanne had picked up on his vibe immediately. She thought it best if he could fade into the background a little more.

Hard though, considering how large and handsome he was. He stood out like a sore thumb. Thank God, he’d at least ditched the suits.

“Isn’t that my job?” She swore the brow went higher. “She looks suspicious.”

“Suspicious, how? She was really nice. I thought maybe I had a chance but I think you ruined it.”

Ah yes, kicking in the drama yet again. It only happened when she was in Mason’s presence.

“Had a chance?” He looked utterly confused. And completely adorable.

Damn it, this crush thing needed to stop now. It was unhealthy and distracting, especially after last night’s events. She didn’t need to make any more of a fool of herself than she already had.

“A chance at making a real friend. I liked her.” Suzanne was the first person who actually seemed to have an interest in talking to her and not about her father or politics or how wealthy her family was.

It was refreshing.

“She’s a stranger.”

“Don’t tell me you’re going to warn me about stranger danger.” Okay, she was sort of being a bitch but she couldn’t help it. His lack of communication was frustrating, to say the least.

“I’m just doing my job,” he pointed out. “You don’t know her or what she’s all about.”

She really didn’t need the constant reminder that she was merely his job. “Isn’t that how you make friends? Getting to know someone who at first is a stranger?” Blake started walking, heading back toward the cabin. Mason fell right into step beside her.

“Sometimes your judgment is a little...off.” He sunk his hands into his pockets, staring straight ahead as was the norm.

Well. That remark hurt more than she cared to admit. She glanced at him from out of the corner of her eye, marveling yet again at the strength that radiated from him. She wanted to invade his space, touch him, see if his chest and his arms were as hard as they appeared.

Okay, she knew they were. She’d touched him before, more than once. The man was a solid mass of muscle. Delicious, mouth-watering muscle she wanted to search with her hands, lips and tongue.

Heat suffused her entire body and she breathed deep, trying to calm her suddenly erratic heart. Why couldn’t he be interested in her? She’d thrown herself at him, gave him the opportunity to jump her bones, and he hadn’t taken it.

Oh, he’d said he wanted to do the right thing, but really, what man did that? It made no sense, especially when she had no expectations.

At least, that’s what she told herself.

“Are you concerned for my well being Mason?” She pitched her voice higher, batted her eyelashes when he looked at her. The surprise on his face was unmistakable.

“Of course, I am. Like I said, it’s my job.”

So not the answer she wanted to hear.

Pretending nothing happened between him and Blake last night was the hardest thing Mason had ever done. His supposed nonchalant attitude toward her should be considered an Oscar-worthy performance. Every single time he looked at her, said something to her, she acted completely offended. Baffled.

He was baffled too. Baffled he could keep up the pretense and not give in to his baser instincts. They were screaming at him to forget everything and kiss her. Wrap her in his arms and hold that hot little body close, learn her every dip and curve with his fingers, his mouth.

But he didn’t give in. He continued to act as if she didn’t affect him. He didn’t have a choice.

This was a job. He couldn’t risk putting Blake in danger. And since all he could think of when he looked at her were the dirty, extremely satisfying things he wanted to do to her, he knew he needed to get out of here.

The second they got back to the cabin, he was calling Jerry and begging for a switch. He’d owe him big time. He’d give his partner pretty much anything he wanted if he just did him this one favor.

It would save his sanity. It would save Blake from himself.