"Thank you, baby."
Skip's face flushed. "You're welcome."
I knew this naked thing was a good idea.
Chapter Eleven
Skip
My morning had started off pretty damn well, but I'd have to admit I was a little apprehensive about leaving the guest bedroom, even if I was admitting it just to myself. Despite David's reassurance, I wasn't sure how the others would take the two of us being together. Sal and Lany seemed to be okay, but I wasn't sure about the rest of them.
I was also feeling unsettled about what Joe might have found. It was hard to forget that my car had exploded the previous night. Someone had tried to kill me. That would leave anyone unsettled.
"You ready?"
A small smile spread across my lips.
It might have wobbled.
"If I say no, can we go back to bed?"
"Yes," David said as he grabbed me and drew me into his arms, "but I'd really like to find out what Joe might have learned."
I groaned.
David chuckled. "It'll be fine. I promise."
"I'm almost afraid to find out, you know?"
David nodded. "I know, but the more information we have, the better we can protect you." David's hand brushed over my cheek when I shuddered. "I won't let anything happen to you. You're mine now. I can't let anything happen to you."
I'd never belonged to someone before. I'd had boyfriends here and there, and dated, but no one had ever truly claimed me.
I felt claimed.
It was weird.
"I guess we'd better go down and see how Lany's decorating efforts are going."
David smiled. "Just remember that this place is locked up tighter than Fort Knox and we have a fulltime security force on duty twenty-four hours a day. You're safe here."
"Yes, but I can't stay here forever, David. I have a shift tonight."
"You might want to think about calling in sick. After your car blew up, I'm sure your supervisors would understand if you needed a little time."
"David—"
"Just a couple of days, Skip. Just until we have an idea who is after you. Please?"
David looked so desperate I couldn't help but give in.
"I'm not sure I can get a couple of days off, but I suppose it wouldn't hurt to try." I couldn't remember the last time I'd taken time off. I was the one who usually worked holidays and got called in when they needed an extra hand. I didn't even take vacations.
David pressed a kiss to my lips before smiling at me. "Thank you, baby."
I didn't realize how much my agreement meant to David until he grabbed my hand and we walked out of the bedroom. He had a definite pep in his step. It was a bit contagious. I started to feel a little better, lighter. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad.
I could hear voices before we even reached the end of the hallway, but it in no way prepared me for the room full of people we walked in on when we entered the dining room.
