While she waited for Xander, she called her manager and made sure she was the one paying the Alpha Security bill. As she disconnected her call, she got the sense she was being watched.
She turned to find Dash Kingston standing in the arched entry between the family room and the kitchen. His hair was damp and both darker and longer than Xander’s. He wore bathing trunks and a tee shirt, and though he had the Kingston good looks, where Xander was well-built, Dash was leaner. But she recalled him working out and possessing tight abs his female fans loved. He just wasn’t bulked up like his brother. And it was Xander who made Sasha’s heart soar.
Just like Xander, Dash had perfected that pissed-off scowl. “At least you’re not after him for his money.” Apparently Dash had heard her side of the call with her manager.
She knew the depth of this family’s protective nature and did her best not to take his attitude personally. She’d always envied him having siblings who were so close.
“So that begs the question,” Dash continued, “why are you here?” He folded his strong arms across his chest.
She wouldn’t let him intimidate her. “You know why. I needed protection, and your brother insisted I’d be safer here than in the city. And it’s nice to see you, too, Dash.”
He studied her for a long moment, and she had no idea if she passed his inspection. “I liked you, Sasha, but you hurt my brother once. I hope you’re not here to do more damage.”
“Dash, back off,” Xander said on what sounded like a growl.
She hadn’t heard him come in.
“Sasha’s an invited guest.” He pulled her last piece of luggage behind him and set it next to her other suitcase. “Which is more than I can say for you and the band.”
“Hey, that’s not true. I have an open invite. Tell her,” Dash said with a pout she’d bet the ladies adored, and Sasha did her best not to laugh out loud at the banter she remembered.
“Seriously, why aren’t you at your pool?” Xander asked.
Dash lost the lighthearted expression. “We’re having some disagreements within the band and we thought…”
“A change of scenery would help,” both men said at the same time and Dash grinned again. “See? You get it.”
Xander rolled his eyes. “Gather the guys and go home.”
“They’re eating a late dinner.” Playfulness once again danced in Dash’s eyes, but he caught Xander’s glare. “We didn’t raid your fridge. We ordered in. Well, we might have taken drinks from you. But the pizza was on us.”
Dash turned and walked back through the kitchen, and she heard the sliding glass door open. “Time for you guys to pack it up and go home!” he yelled at the band.
“You’re going with them,” Xander called out to his brother, then met Sasha’s gaze, an amused smile pulling at his sexy mouth.
A mouth she’d kissed earlier. At the reminder, she slid her tongue over her bottom lip, and his gaze tracked the movement.
He cleared his throat. “Let me show you to your room.”
They each took a suitcase, and she followed him to the front of the house, where he paused.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
Turning, he ran a hand over his beard. “The master is this way.” He pointed to the hallway on the right. “There’s a second bedroom with a bathroom in the hall.”
She swallowed hard. “Okay.”
“That way,” he said, pointing left, “there are three other bedrooms and two bathrooms. You’d have more privacy there.”
“I hear a but?” she asked, because this was not a decision she wanted to make. She’d go where he sent her. It was his house and his decision because he needed to be comfortable in his own home.
“But I’d feel better knowing you were close by.” He looked as if the admission cost him something, but she let out a relieved breath.
“Me, too,” she admitted softly. She was totally freaked out by that note.
You’re Mine. Who the hell would stake a claim on her that way? Knowing Xander was a few steps away made her feel even better than being aware of the bodyguard outside.
He reached out a hand and stroked her cheek. “Nobody’s going to get near you,” he said gruffly. “Now let me show you your room. After I’m sure Dash and the guys are gone, I’ll teach you how to set and unset the alarm.”
She nodded. “Sounds good.”
He led her to the bedroom across the hall from the master and pulled her bag inside. “Want me to put the heavy one on the bed so you can unpack?”
“Sure.”
He lifted the heavy suitcase and placed it on the blanket at the end of the comforter. “If you need anything, let me know.”
She watched him head for the door, but before he stepped out, she called his name.