“We’re going to survey the perimeter while Morgan checks the house. We’ll be out of your hair shortly,” Thomas reassured me before he walked toward the back door.
“The sooner the better,” I called out, crossing my arms over my chest.
“I’m staying,” Morgan told me as he set his feet shoulder-width apart, puffing himself out like a cat.
“No, you’re not.” I shot up and moved toward him.
I wanted him to stay—not because he had to, but because he wanted to.
He peered down at me. “Yes. I. Am.”
“Why?” I asked, glaring at him.
His eyes darted toward my chest, and my eyes followed. For the love of God, my arms had pushed my breasts up, putting them on full display.
When I brought my eyes back to his, he was still gawking at my chest. Any embarrassment I’d had vanished. Morgan DeLuca wanted seconds. Or would it be thirds?
“Because I won’t be able to sleep tonight if I think someone is attacking you,” he replied.
“I have a gun.”
He closed his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose. “That doesn’t put my mind at ease, princess.”
I cocked my head. “Why? ’Cause I’m a girl?”
“No, Race,” he said, and then he groaned. “Let me check out the house and have a quick meeting with the guys, and I’ll explain it to you.”
I rolled my eyes, turning my back to him. Before I took two steps, his hand wrapped around my arm, dragging me backward.
“Excuse me,” I snapped, staring at his hand.
“Listen, Race. Drop the attitude for five fucking minutes. I’m here to protect you. You can wait.” He touched my chin, raising my eyes to meet his glare. “Don’t get all huffy and stomp off like a child. Please let me do my job without any backtalk, woman.”
“Go,” I said as I shooed him away. “Do your job.” I cringed, knowing that it sounded crappy.
He released my arm as his jaw tightened. “Stay here,” he commanded, pointing to the floor.
I crossed my arms again. “Fine.”
He marched off, moving from room to room.
Why in the hell did Morgan DeLuca make the strong businesswoman in me disappear?
When I was around him, I turned into a bitch, a drunk, or a loose-lipped woman.
“Find anything good?” I called out, still standing in the same spot.
“Nope.” He stalked into the kitchen, slamming the back door as he left.
I tiptoed to the kitchen, opened the blinds, and watched them. They were huddling together in the sand. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t make out what they were saying to each other. When they broke apart and Morgan started to walk back up the steps, I ran back to my spot.
When he walked into the room, he stared at me with his eyebrow cocked. “You stayed?”
“Yes.”
He narrowed his eyes at me. “Doesn’t matter. The perimeter is clear and no one is inside the house. The guys have gone back home.”
“Can I move now?”
