She opens her mouth but stops when we hear a sound overhead.
THUMP, THUMP, THUMP.
“What’s that?” she asks, looking up at the ceiling.
I roll my eyes. “My ride.”
absence makes …
ROXANNE
The thumping gets louderand then finally dies down when I turn my attention back to Duke.
“Your brother is picking you up in a spaceship?”
He chuckles. “Helicopter. There’s a pad up the hill behind the house.”
“Wow,” I whisper.
“Yep. We’ll fly to his jet and then off to LA.”
I sigh and take him in. He has a tiny cut above his eye. The bridge of his nose is bruised and raw from the scuffle. His navy suit is rumpled, streaked with dirt and yet somehow, he looks even more devastating like this.
What the hell?
Listen, I’m a strong woman. I’ve been in situations where I had to defend myself. I’ve been mugged in New York, had my phone stolen in Mexico and got caught up in a daytime brawl in a gas station in Gallup, New Mexico. But when Duke came to my rescue, an A-bomb went off inside me. The look on his face when he thought I was hurt …
Somehow, I feel oddly at peace with what happened withGarrett because I know how broken he is. What has my head and heart spiraling is how Duke has saved me. Not just tonight (though the image of him tearing through the dark like a human wrecking ball will never leave me) but in ways I can’t even name. It’s in how he listens, in how he sees me. In how he tries to stand between me and the hurt without hesitation.
It’s the most dangerous he’s ever been because now…nowI can’t lie to myself anymore.
I feel something for him. Something bigger than a summer fling. Bigger than what I came here for, and it terrifies me.
“I have to go,” he says gently, brushing a strand of hair away from my cheek.
“I know,” I whisper.
“C’mon, I guess you better meet my brother.”
He threads his fingers through mine, leading me toward the hallway. As we reach the top of the stairs, I hear voices in the great room, Allie and Leo and someone else.
“Oh.” Duke stops, turning to me. “Jameson’s still at Topper’s, but I know he’d rather be here. Think you could look after him?”
Yes! Yes! I would love to take care of the dog while you’re out of town.
Oh my God, what is happening to me?
“Of course,” I reply, trying to seem casual. I also have to admit I’m starting to fall in love with the dog, too. That loud snoring, drool-producing, toe-licking dog, is everything I’ve ever wanted.
“Great, thanks.” Duke smiles. “He’s really low maintenance, but a warning, he might try to sleep with you while I’m away.”
“I’m completely prepared for that.”
We make our way down the grand staircase, and I walk straight into a movie poster. There, perched on the edge of the leather sofa, is Charlie Steele.TheCharlie Steele. Wavy, golden-brown hair that looks like it was styled by ocean breezes anddivination. Chiseled jaw, and a smile that would launch a thousand ships in Shakespeare’s time.
He’s dressed down in a charcoal T-shirt and perfectly fitted jeans, but he’s still all movie star. Duke stops at the bottom of the stairs and shoves his hands in his pockets. Allie and Leo are so star-struck they don’t even notice we’re in the room.
“Oh my goodness, I loved you inShadow Protocol!” Allie says. “Can I have your autograph?”
