Colton's Secret Bodyguard

“I don’t even know where your ranch is.” They were seated at her table, and she was hunched over her third cup of coffee.

“You want me to show you on a map?”

She sighed, pushing curls back from her face. Rylan was momentarily distracted. Most days, Bree ruthlessly pulled her hair back into a braid, but he preferred to see it loose like this. Every kink, twist and coil fascinated him, and he loved to run his fingers through them. Since the opportunity wasn’t likely to come his way again, he should probably put it from his mind and concentrate on the more immediate issue.

“That’s not what I meant,” Bree said. “It’s just...if I leave my apartment and come to stay at your place, it will feel like he’s winning.”

It was time for a cold dose of reality. “If you stay here and he gets his hands on you again, he will have won. It will be game over.” She shivered, and he softened his tone. “Why didn’t you wake me?”

She raised troubled eyes to his face. “Papadum needed some potty time. You were asleep. It didn’t seem like a big deal.”

“Bree, until this guy is caught, everything is a big deal.”

She rubbed her upper arm. “Why will things be better if I stay at your ranch?”

“Firstly, only Trey and your parents will know you are there. I bought it very recently, so it’s not like anyone locally knows who I am or is aware of any connection to you. But, since it’s so isolated, there isn’t another occupied property for miles anyway.” He smiled. “And the security system is second to none.”

Unexpectedly, she returned the smile. He’d missed that. “I’d expect nothing less from you.”

“Is there anything at the gallery that can’t wait a few days?” He saw the frown start to pull her brows together and knew what she was thinking. “This is not about letting him push you out, Bree. This is about giving my contacts time to complete their background checks, while getting you away from his clutches. Tell Kasey you’re taking a few days off to focus on your painting. She can still call you, or email, if she needs anything.”

“A few days off to paint.” Her expression changed, became dreamy. “Wow.”

“Tempting, huh?”

Bree nodded. “I just realized I haven’t done that since Wise Gal opened. But it’s not that easy—”

“Bree, it’s as easy, or as difficult, as you make it.” Rylan could see her wavering. “But I’m not offering you a vacation. I’m trying to save your life.”

She placed her coffee cup on the counter. “Could I come back to the gallery if I’m needed?”

“Of course. I’d be right at your side.” He nodded toward Papadum, who was finishing his breakfast. “Me and the big guy.”

“One more question.” Bree looked embarrassed. “How many bedrooms does your place have?”

“Four.” His heart twisted slightly that she needed to ask. “You can have your choice of the guest bedrooms. Dinah, who helps me out with the animals, has her own cabin on the edge of the property.”

She got to her feet. “I’ll pack some stuff.”

When she’d gone, Rylan breathed a sigh of relief. He checked his messages, but there was nothing new from his PI colleagues. Although he’d stressed the urgency of the background checks he wanted, he knew they would have cases of their own to investigate. These things took time, and the stalker’s connection to Bree might not be immediately apparent. Or it could be glaringly obvious. His thoughts returned to Lucas Brewer.

He should just ask Bree straight out about Lucas. The guy was clearly attracted to her. If they’d dated, or he’d tried anything, and she’d given him the brush off, it made Lucas’s motive stronger. Just ask her. It wasn’t that easy. There were some questions to which he didn’t want answers. Bree and Lucas? That was an image he didn’t want inside his head.

Papadum came over and leaned against his leg. “Is this male sympathy or a request for more breakfast?” The dog sighed heavily. “I know. I made this mess. I have to live with it.” Papadum placed his paws on Rylan’s knees and peeped through his fringe of hair into his master’s eyes. “You think I’m an idiot? You could be right, but at least I’m not the one who has my breakfast on my ears.”