“Mostly?” I prided myself on how even my voice sounded.
“He was on duty, but no one thinks twice if a firefighter leaves the station.”
I stared out the window, my eyes darting back and forth across the houses and yards as Matt drove down the street.
“I won’t let him, or anyone, hurt you.”
That was all fine and dandy, but I lived with my brother and his family.
“But what if he hurts someone else?” I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if something happened to them.
“Everyone is on high alert, and Jack’s adjusting his security system.”
It was like he’d read my mind and wanted to put my fears to rest.
“That’s good.” I’d ask Jack about it when I got home.
“Jay has a plan.” I didn’t want to take credit,or the blame, for using her, us, as bait.
“Am I going to hate it?”
“I hope not,” Matt glanced over and smiled. “How would you feel about going on another date Friday night?”
I put two and two together.
“What the fuck! Jay wants to use me as bait?”
“Us. But he has a solid plan.”
“Which is.”
Matt pulled into the parking lot of a small diner. “Give me a second.”
I waited for him to open my door; this time appreciating the chivalry.
As a modern woman, I was perfectly capable of opening my door.
As a modern woman being stalked by a deranged firefighter, I appreciated having a chivalrous knight in shining armor at my side.
Matt held out his hand. My gaze drifted up his muscled, heavily inked forearm.
No, he’s not a knight in shining armor. Shining armor means the knight was never tested in battle. Matt’s armor would be dull and dented. He was the man you wanted protecting you because he’d never back down.
“Madi?”
“Yup.” I erased the emotions threatening to take hold and reached for his hand. “Let’s go.”
He held my hand as we walked across the lot.
He opened the door for me before placing his hand on my lower back.
Strong, independent, career-minded women didn’t need men to stake claims on them.
But this one secretly enjoyed it. Everyone in the restaurant would read his gesture and think I was his.And he’s mine.
Damn it. I willed the thought out of my head. Catapulted it to the next county. I didn’t want or need a relationship complicating my life.
At the counter, Matt let me order first. The cafe was known for its soup and salad combo, so I ordered a broccoli cheddar soup and a chopped salad with avocado.
