I don’t know shit about dating. It was never my thing. All it ever looked like was a world of hurt when I saw others do it. I’ve experienced enough pain throughout my life. I never had time for dating in the past. I was busy going on missions. I guess it would be fair to say that I never made the time for it because there wasn’t a reason to. It hadn’t been important to me until I saw my little kitten. I want something different now. Looking at Precious next to me, I think I know how I could have that. How I need it now.
Unable to help myself, I lean over to kiss her again. I want her back in my bed, but I also need to get her to see this as something else besides sex. I’m going to have to blend the lines. Or I could give her so much pleasure she’ll never want to leave.
I tense, pulling back from her mouth when my phone starts to vibrate on the counter. I look down to see it’s my alarm for the front gate.
“There’s someone here.” I push back from the counter, standing up. Duke is already on his feet and quietly heading for the door. He never barks unless he can’t get my attention. He knows you remain quiet, never letting anyone know you’re aware they’re there. But I have a feeling this isn't someone who is trying to hide. They’re coming right down the drive, tripping the front gate alarms.
“Someone is out there?” She stands with me. “Are you expecting someone?”
“Stay here.”
“Don’t start that with me. I work in security. You think I can’t handle myself?”
“I think you can handle yourself just fine.” That was the truth. I know she’s highly skilled at what she does, but I want to protect her. I’d even seen the video of her tackling Michael, Bunny’s stalker last year. She may be small, but she could knock someone right on their ass if she wanted to. Not to mention the sucker punch I saw her give him yesterday. I have no doubt that she can handle herself just fine. But I’m still not going to let her go out there until I’ve assessed the danger.
“I don’t want anyone seeing you without pants on.” She looks down at her bare legs.
“Oh.” Her cheeks once again turn that sexy shade of pink. “Right, you see who's here and I’ll get pants.” She darts off down the hallway toward my bedroom. I really didn't want her to put pants on, but maybe that will help me from mauling her too fast.
Duke whines, letting me know that whoever is here is already coming up to the door. There are only a handful of people it could be. I’m not sure why they didn't call me first. My foreman already had everything handled before the storm rolled in.
“It’s me,” Jameson calls before his hand comes down on my door. The fuck is he doing here? I pull the door open to see him standing there alone, looking pissed and soaking wet. “Phone service is shit,” he says before I can ask. “Bunny is worried about PJ and I can’t-” He trails off, his eyes going behind me. “I figured when I didn't find her at her place but her SUV was there that you may know something about her whereabouts.” I look over my shoulder to see Precious standing behind me with her eyes wide like a kid caught with their hand in the cookie jar.
“She’s staying here for a while.” I don’t say it’s because of the storm. I know it is, but something deep inside me wishes it was because she wants to be here. Not that she’s scared of something that made her run to me. Then again, this could be her chance to leave. She could go with Jameson and go back to Bunny. I start to close the door before anyone can get any ideas. Jameson catches it before I can. That earns a growl from Duke. He likes Jameson but that all ends when you do something to get in my way.
“I’m going to need her to tell me she wants to stay.”
I fight back a growl of my own, knowing I’d do the same thing as I pull the door back open.
“I don’t stay anywhere I don’t want to.” I can feel Precious move behind me. Her hand rests on the center of my back. Tension I didn't know I was holding releases.
“Bunny said you were scared of storms. She was worried.”
“I’m fine.” She peeks her head out. I wrap my arm around her waist, pulling her into me. Jameson fights a smile knowing what I’m doing. I’m making it clear she is with me and I have it handled.