“Okay.”
I was about to start making breakfast when he said, “Would you mind going for a drive after we eat?”
“Where to?”
“To get you a gun.”
I gawked at him, hoping he was joking, but his face made it clear he wasn’t. “I don’t want a gun.”
“You were attacked yesterday.”
“To send a message, not to kill me. Shooting him would’ve made everything worse.”
He put his hands on my shoulders. “Whether we like it or not, they know you’ve been asking questions. A gun should be a no-brainer.”
“I don’t even have a license.”
“You only need one if you’re going to carry a gun in public, not if you keep it in your house.”
I crossed my arms, growing nauseated. It had been many years since I’d last held a gun, and I couldn’t picture myself doing it again. But I also didn’t want to argue about that. “I’ll think about it.”
“Okay. And I also want you to move somewhere else for a while.”
“What? Hayden—”
“Hal said that the tracker isn’t transmitting your precise location. You can stay over at my place, or at Jenny’s, or at a motel if you prefer.”
I took a breath, reminding myself he was only acting out of concern. “This is my home.”
“It won’t go anywhere, Jonah. Listen, I know I’m being bossier than usual, but I’m not going to pretend that the threat isn’t real.”
I put my hands on his arms. “You need to understand something. If they want me dead, they’ll kill me. Hiding somewhere for a few days won’t change that.”
He took a step back. “Jesus, are you listening to yourself?”
I looked away. I shouldn’t have been so blunt, even though my words were true. “I’m sorry. I’ll think about staying somewhere else.”
Hayden reluctantly nodded, looking anything but pleased, but that was the best that I could offer.
“I’m going for a shower,” he said and walked toward the bathroom.
“Wait. My shorts.”
He turned around. “I’ll drop them in the laundry basket.”
“I would like them now.” I held out my hand.
“You’re very possessive of your things.”
I remained silent, still holding out my hand.
He ran his fingers under the waistband, then slowly pulled down the shorts. I knew he wouldn’t be wearing underwear on his run, which left his cock fully exposed. It hardened under my stare, thickening above his large, dangling balls.
I sucked in a breath as he took two steps to reach me, placing the damp shorts in my hand. “Better?”
I glanced down, the tip of his erection almost brushing against my shirt. “Yes. Now you can—”
He picked me up and carried me to the bedroom, just as I had hoped he would.
