Protector Panther (Protection, Inc 3)
“Better than cats,” she murmured.
“What?”
“I usually sleep with my cats,” she explained. “They’re nice and cozy on a cold night. But you’re even cozier.”
“That’s definitely one of the most interesting compliments I’ve ever gotten from a woman,” remarked Shane. “How many cats do you have?”
“Four.” She waited a beat, then added, “Including you.”
He chuckled, and she felt him relax.
“Don’t wake me up for a shower in the morning,” Catalina said sleepily. “The one we just had will do me for the day.”
To her confusion, Shane again tensed beside her. “No, you should take another.”
“Why?”
After a pause, he said, “I like the way your hair smells when it’s wet.”
She laughed in surprise. “All this time, you’ve been dragging me out of bed so you can smell my hair?”
Unabashed, Shane said, “Yes.”
“You’re weird.” She turned her head, presenting him with her hair. “But sure. That’s how much I like you, I’ll let you wake me up at the crack of dawn just so you can enjoy sniffing my hair. Weird hot bodyguard.”
He kissed the back of her head. “I appreciate it. Weird hot cat lady.”
Chapter Six
Catalina
When Shane shook Catalina awake the next morning, her first thought was that they really had made love. He really did love her. It hadn’t just been the sort of dream that feels great while you’re having it and depresses you when you wake up and realize that it hadn’t really happened.
She lazily reached up and caught his hand, bringing it to her lips. “You’re real.”
He bent and kissed her. “So are you. Up and at ’em.”
The next thing she noticed was that the cots were already back in their usual places. She blinked up at him. “You moved the bed without waking me up?”
“You sleep like a rock.” He lifted her off the cot and set her on her feet. “Go wash your hair for me.”
“Why don’t we shower together?”
“Can’t risk it. They might show up early. If I’m outside, I won’t let them open the door on you.”
Catalina went and took her solo shower. When she emerged, she marched up to Shane and leaned against his chest. “Go on.”
He bent and buried his face in her wet hair, taking a few deep inhales before he straightened. “Thanks. That’ll keep me going for the day. Do me a favor? Listen at the door. See if you can hear them coming before they open it.”
“Sure.”
Shane went into the bathroom and closed the door. The room felt empty without him. Catalina spent a moment imagining Shane wet and naked, then went and listened at the door. When the clunk of the lock opening sounded right at her ear, she nearly jumped a foot in the air. Then she hastily settled down on her bed as the door swung open.
Dr. Elihu, flanked by the usual array of guards, glanced around the room and under the cots, glared at the closed shower door, then snapped his fingers at her. “Come on, Mendez.”
A guard asked, “Do you want me to check the bathroom?”
The doctor turned bright red. “No, I do not!”