“The client was stopped outside by a news crew on our way in. We both know what that’s like.”
I nodded with a half smile.
“This guy shows up, disgruntled ex-employee as it turns out, thought the tech guy had stolen his idea. He had come up in my research, but my intel showed him as being outside the state. Clearly my intel was wrong.” He snorted a laugh, but there was no humor in it. “Anyway, he pulled a gun. My client took a round in the shoulder before I was able to disarm him.”
My hands stilled.
“He was okay after surgery. He forgave me for having something slip through, but he didn’t hire us again,” he said quickly. “The press was brutal. And the guilt…” He shook his head. “I can’t risk messing up like that, not again.”
“Is that why you have all the rules for me?” I asked.
He nodded. “I need to keep track of everything at once. It’s easier if things are done my way.”
I considered this. The poor guy was torturing himself over one mistake. He was wound so tight that any small problem could make him snap.
“I was terrified today,” I admitted.
He gave a low laugh that didn’t reach his eyes. “Honestly? I was, too.”
My gaze snapped up to meet his. “You were?”
He nodded once. “For you.”
The air between us shifted, loosening Hayes’ usually tight lips.
“Normally, when something happens like that, it’s all adrenaline and training. You just react.” He paused, searching for the words. “But today… the idea that you could be hurt.” He shook his head. “I didn’t like that feeling.”
“I knew you’d protect me,” I whispered.
He looked at me for a long beat. “I’m obligated to protect you,” he said finally. “But I wanted to. Needed to, maybe. I don’t even know how to explain it.”
I ran my palms up his arms, over his shoulders, and to the sides of his neck. His stubble prickled against my skin. He leaned into my touch for just a moment before pulling back.
“Luna, I can’t let myself be distracted. Not when I’m on the job.”
I didn’t take my hand away, just kneaded the tense muscles at the base of his neck. His eyes floated shut, and he let me comfort him.
“Nothing here can hurt me,” I said, before pressing my lips to the harsh line of his jaw. He let out a breath, and I continued kissing along his skin. Just before I got to his lips, I pulled back and met his eyes.
“It’s hard to do the right thing when your hands are on me,” headmitted. “I don’t know how to guard myself from you.” His words were just a murmur, then his lips were on mine.
When his resolve broke, it crumbled to dust. He was moaning as soon as his lips touched mine, teasing his tongue along the seam of my lips until I opened for him, then plunging his tongue in. He brought his hands to my waist and pulled me to stand between his spread thighs. I savored the taste of him, the feel of his soft lips dominating mine. I wanted to crawl onto his lap, to straddle his thighs and let whatever this was take over. To just do what felt right after a day when everything felt wrong.
I let my hands slide over his pecs, feeling his chest rise and fall, and how his nipples were pebbled under his tight black T-shirt. I swiped my thumb over one of the hardened buds, and he jumped, before pulling out of the kiss.
“Shit.” He shot to his feet, gently moving me away, and took a half step back. His ankle hooked on the leg of the chair, and he lost his balance for a moment before regaining it.
“Hayes, are you—”
“Yeah,” he said quickly. “I just…you need someone who can think straight around you, and that isn’t me right now.” He blew out a breath. “This book tour isn’t over, and I have a job to do.”
I nodded, trying not to take his dedication to his job as rejection. He had explained his reasoning, and it now made sense what the influencer had said during the interview. That didn’t stop me from wanting him.
“You should get some sleep,” he said, his voice coming out breathy and low.
I nodded dumbly.
“Thanks for cleaning up my arm,” he added.
