Sophie turned back. Stone, once again, placed his body between her and Antonio.
“Was there a problem?” Stone asked in a voice that could freeze fire.
Sophie peered around his shoulders to see Antonio. “Did you need something?”
“I’m going to need to watch you delete those photos you took while on my property.”
“Oh. Of course.” Sophie stepped out from behind Stone, turned her camera around so Antonio could see the photos, and deleted them.
Antonio held out his hand. “I’ll need the SD card, as well.”
“But—”
“We have rules.” He pointed to a sign that saidno photography. “You knew them, and you broke them.”
“But I didn’t see the sign until after I took the photo.”
“Which is why I’m asking for your SD card instead of breaking your fancy camera,” Antonia said. “Isn’t that right, Buzz?” he said to his security.
Sophie had never been threatened, and she didn’t like it. Not one little bit. “Stone?”
“It’s okay, darling,” he said, surprising her with the calmness in his voice. “Give him the card. I’ll buy you another.”
What the hell? Wasn’t he supposed to be her security? Sophie fumbled with her camera and did as she was told.
“Satisfied?” Stone asked.
Antonio nodded.
“Great. Now, before Sophie and I leave, let’s get one thing straight. She is my girl. Mine. I protect what’s mine. If you ever say another threatening thing to her, I will tear you apart limb by painful limb.”
With that, he took her hand and strolled them out of the garage. Thank God, the rain had stopped almost as soon as it had begun.
“I really hope this hasn’t hurt my chances of being chosen,” Antonio shouted after her.
Sophie didn’t say anything until they’d rounded the corner and were out of camera sight of the garage. “Why did you let him have my SD card?”
“I assessed the situation and decided the most secure way to keep you safe was to acquiesce. There were two of them and one of me, and I had you to worry about.”
“Is that why you kissed me?”
“If I recall right, you kissed me, I simply helped you make it appear more believable.”
“Oh.” She wasn’t sure what she’d hoped he’d say about the kiss, but it wasn’t that. “Why did you feel the need to threaten him? We’re not really a couple.”
“Sure, we are. Just not the traditional kind. And, as it turns out, a dear friend who recently pointed out to me that I’m the possessive sort was right.”
They walked for a while, both lost in their own thoughts. When they came to a stoplight, she said, “Go ahead and say what you’re thinking.”
Stone said nothing.
“It’s okay. I know you’re dying to.”
“What is it exactly you think I’m dying to say?” he asked, stepping into the street to cross.
“I told you so,” Sophie said, hurrying to keep up with him. “You want to say, ‘I told you they wouldn’t buy me as a boyfriend.’”
“I could, but that wouldn’t be very nice. And honestly, you are equally justified in throwing an I-told-you-so back at me.”
