She nods but doesn’t sit back down. She just stands there, waiting for instructions.
My phone buzzes. Finn. I answer.
“Boss, we’ve got a situation at the docks. Need you here at the office.”
I watch Nora while he talks. She’s making herself smaller again, shoulders hunched, eyes down.
“I’ll be there in an hour.” I hang up and turn to her. “I have to go to work.”
She nods.
“You can do whatever you want while I’m gone. Watch TV, read, order food.” I pull out my wallet and slap a couple of hundreds on the table in front of her. “Here’s some money if you need it.”
“Am I a prisoner?”
The question surprises me. “No.”
“So I can leave?”
“I’d prefer it if you don’t leave the building. Not yet.”
“Why not?”
“Because there may be people out there who want to hurt you to get to me.”
Her eyes widen. I’m scaring her. I don’t like it, but I suppose it has to be done. She should hear the truth.
“How long do I have to stay inside?”
“I don’t know yet.” The honest answer.
I grab my jacket from the back of the chair and head for the door. As I pass her, I notice a strand of hair has fallen across her face.
Before I can stop myself, I reach out and tuck it behind her ear.
The moment my fingers brush her cheek, I know it was a stupid move.
Her breath catches—I hear it. Her lips part. Her pulse jumps at her throat, visible and rapid.
We’re close. Close enough that I catch the scent of her shampoo.
She’s looking at me with wide, startled eyes. Not afraid—not right now. This look is different than fear.
My cock jumps to life, filling with blood. Hardening, lengthening.
My fingers linger against her skin for a heartbeat too long. She’s so soft and warm under my touch.
When I come to my senses, I pull my hand away like she’s a hot stove and take a step back.
What the hell was that?
“I’ll be back this afternoon.” My voice emerges rough and gravelly.
I leave before I do anything stupider.
Finn, my lieutenant, is waiting in my office when I arrive, along with two of my brothers—Declan and Ronan.
“What’s the situation?” I drop into my chair and pull up the security reports.
