Protecting Her

“No. I got it.”

After Laura goes out to meet Fred and give him the rundown, I pour a new cup of coffee and cross the cabin to Catriona’s bedroom. I give it a knock of warning and then walk in. Catriona gives a small shriek and then slaps her hand against her chest, a hairbrush clenched in one fist. “Don’t scare me like that.”

“I knocked.”

“I didn’t hear it.” She tosses the brush onto the dresser. “I suppose you’re off.” Her tone’s odd–almost angry, like I’m abandoning her.

“Laura is.” I hold out the coffee. “You left this out there. I poured you a new cup.”

“What do you mean, Laura is?”

I explain the Hydro situation and then end with, “I’m staying with you twenty-four seven with Laura and Fred watching out for you while I’m sleeping. The only issue is that you’ll have to be physically with me while I sleep. You can be in the lab or in this room, but either way, your body needs to be next to mine.”

Catriona’s mouth falls open. “What?”

“It’s too much of a strain on the manpower if you’re out running errands or in a public place because we can’t have eyes on you and our surroundings, so while I sleep, you need to stick with me while Fred or Laura watches for threats. You going to the lab or you staying here today?”

“I…” She rubs a hand over her forehead. “I was planning on reading my results for the last six months to see if they are as consistent as I think they are so that we can move into Phase Three of the human trials.”

“Great.” I toe off my boots, pull off my shoulder harness, and lie down on the bed. I give her a chin nod and pat the side of the mattress. “Come on over and start reading.”

“On the bed?”

“I told you I was with you twenty-four seven. This bed is nice. Smells good, too. What do you use?”

“Strawberry shampoo?”

“I like it.” I close my eyes. I don’t have to wait too long. Catriona’s muttering under her breath about how unusual this is and how she doesn’t know if she can feel very scientific lying in her bed, but she also wants to finish her research, so she might as well give it a try. The mattress dips as she climbs on. I feel the warmth of her body as her legs stretch out beside my head. If I turn just a little, I could be pressing my lips against the side of her thigh. The idea makes me hard again. There’s little I can do about my erection, but she’s just going to have to get used to my hard-ons. She turns me on and I’m not about to hide it.

I can’t do anything about it now, but once this is all over, my cock will be inside of her body so fast she won’t be able to say DNA.

Chapter 7

Catriona

How am I supposed to work like this? I glance down at Gabe, I think he passed out a few minutes ago. I take advantage of the opportunity to stare at every detail of his handsome face, wondering what it is about him that’s so different to me than every other man I’ve ever met.

There has to be something that has drawn me to him. I’ve never had an attraction like this before, and it’s starting to drive me insane. I’ve never had a problem concentrating on my work, but with him around it seems almost impossible to think straight.

I glance up from his face when the door to my bedroom pushes open. Gabe is up with his body in front of mine, blocking my view before I can even see who it is. The man may be big, but he’s quick. I make a mental note of that detail, adding it to the list of other things that I’ve learned about him.

“Letting you know I’m heading out.” I peek over Gabe’s shoulder to see Laura standing there giving him a glare. I swallow wondering what that’s about. Is she upset because they have a thing going on, and he’s in bed with me?

“I’ll see you tonight,” he tells her. She gives him a stiff nod before her eyes come to me. She shakes her head before turning to leave. I lean back, resting against the headboard as Gabe lays down again, closing his eyes.

“Ahh. Are you two okay?” I finally ask. I should really mind my own business, but I can’t help myself. He opens his eyes to look at me.

“Fine,” he grunts. I roll my eyes.

“Whatever,” I mumble. I go back to reading my reports.

“You’re cute when you pout.” I look over at him out of the corner of my eye. I swear the man has a smirk on his face. One that could melt the panties off any woman.