“But this isn’t realistic. We were in the car for a while, right? I work in the city. My siblings and I take turns caring for my father, and I need to check on him tomorrow. I appreciate that you wanted to get me away from the chaos for the night, but I would be better off in a hotel that was closer to my life.”
Cannon shook his head. “This isn’t for the night, Nahla. You’re stayin’ here till further notice. I know that you can do the bulk of your job from home, so that ain’t a problem, and when you need to check on your pops, I’ll take you to do that.”
Nahla’s face screwed up immediately. “Until further notice? Are you insane? I don’t know you, and I didn’t hire you. You cannot make me stay here.”
“As much as I’d prefer us to be cool while I’m with you, if you make me prove that I can and will make you stay here, I’ll do that for you.”
She stared at him with her mouth open slightly.
“You’re serious, aren’t you?”
He didn’t respond.
After a while, she folded her arms, pouted, and slumped back on the sofa. The mild tantrum she was trying to throw had Cannon’s dick hard. He loved the way her full lashes covered her eyes as she narrowed them at him. As his eyes lingered on her bottom lip, which was currently poked out as she frowned, he had another urge to devour her mouth with his.
He had protected plenty of beautiful women in his career, but Nahla was the first one he found himselfthisattracted to. Although her beauty was unreal, this pull he felt to her had to go beyond looks. There wassomethingabout this woman that had him feeling things that made him nervous.
One of his biggest strengths on the job was his ability to keep a cool head in tense, high-risk situations. He never let danger or threats rattle him, and that type of focus made it easier to keep his clients—and himself—safe. When those bricks smashedthrough her window, though, he felt anythingbutcool. He felt pissed and reckless, which weren’t the best emotions to have while making decisions.
As he admired her now, all the feelings stirring within him only confirmed what he already knew.
Cannon would crash the hell out about Nahla.
She sighed before biting her lip. “But . . . why is this place better than a hotel? It’s just a house. Even if someone figured out which hotel I was staying at, they wouldn’t know which room I was in. I also have siblings I could stay with.”
“Your siblings ain’t keeping you safe. I am.”
“But my brother cou?—”
Cannon cut her off because he didn’t care to hear the end of that statement. He didn’t need her brother’s help doing his job.
“And you just almost got snatched up at a hotel, and you wanna go back to another one?”
She shrugged. “It would be closer to everything.”
“That’s the problem. I’on want you close to nothin’ but me, until I get a better understanding of what we’re up against.”
He noticed her eyes soften when he said that but ignored it and continued.
“This house is safer than a hotel because of anonymity. No one knows it’s here, and the security is top-tier. We can debate this all night, but it won’t change what’s happening. It would be easier for both of us if you just accepted your new address.”
“You really feel like you’re gonna be able to keep me safe?”
“I know I will.”
“Even though I’m going forward with my investigation and story?”
He nodded.
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because you’re goin’ forward within the boundaries I’ve set.”
Nahla kissed her teeth. “You love that word, huh?”
“Boundaries save lives, Nahla.”
“And what if I cross one?” Her brow was raised.
