The sizzling tension was nerve-racking. I had a feeling the man could see right through me. Maybe the smug expression creating tiny lines by his eyes were the best indication I was right.
“Why are you here?”
“A couple of reasons actually.”
“Alright. It would seem I have all the time in the world. Spill it, little Miss Sunshine.”
“I never knew you have a comedic streak. Hopefully, you’ll keep my assistance and my obvious skills that you just touted in the forefront of your mind from now on.” While he wasn’t trying to, he’d managed to make me very nervous. Maybe it was the larger-than-life persona I’d established about him in my mind.
“Meaning what?”
“Didn’t your boy contact you? Oh, that’s right. His phone was taken away.”
He snickered. “My boy? At this point, I will admit I have no clue what you’re talking about.”
“You are a talented man, but you’re a terrible liar. Big bubba type guy who doesn’t look very good in a suit or perhaps he needs to shop in the Big and Tall department. As a private investigator, he truly sucks since I made him within minutes of him tailing me. Forget about when he spent hours in the parking lot where I worked or when he pretended to have lunch at the same restaurant. If I was an antsy girl or concerned about having a stalker, I might have contacted the police.”
There was no sheepish look on his face or even an element of surprise. He was somewhat smug, which accentuated the dimple in his chin. “The man you’re referring to as my boy is a highly trained Marine whose specialty was reconnaissance. Tony served in three tours in Afghanistan, retiring with full honors to then go to work for a security firm specializing in working with high-powered clients. He’s been a good friend over the years, a man I can trust and who I was able to call last minute and he dropped everything to help in your protection.” He crowded my space. “Since you’re standing in front of me, I’d venture a guess that you managed to ditch him.”
“If you’re trying to make me feel in the least bit guilty, you’re failing. You had him follow me against my wishes. Remember?”
“Perhaps I decided playing it safe was the best option until we discovered the truth.”
So he did believe me, at least enough to hire someone to protect me. I wasn’t certain whether to be enchanted or continue with my irritation.
Somehow, the handsome bastard managed to turn the tide, forcing me against the wall while his massive presence hovered over me. A protective, unwanted, yet overtly sexy blanket.
“Is that what I’m doing? Using guilt as a form of keeping you obedient?” With methodical movements, he placed first one palm on the wall beside me then the other. The temporary barrier was his way of telling me there was no escape.
Obedient. The term both excited and floored me.
“Yes, you are. You made a promise. You lied to me. I don’t like liars.”
The mischievous look on his face was certainly unexpected. Plus, he placed his hand on his heart as if I’d wounded him. Pu-lease. I hadn’t thought of him as a playful man. He’d been so serious about everything all those years ago, never smiling. Not once. At least not that I could remember. “I never lied to you.”
Every aspect of his being could be considered oppressive from his size and extreme masculinity to the coldness often displayed in his eyes. Let alone his stealthy actions, like a tiger stalking. But to me, he was exactly what I needed, a perfect representation of both goodness and protection.
“Yes, you did. You specifically said you wouldn’t hire anyone to follow me.”
“Not true.” He held up his hand, closing three fingers and his thumb, leaving his index finger pointed in my direction. The same look of ire danced in his eyes, especially when he rolled the tip down the bridge of my nose, tracing my lips then my jaw. “I told you I wouldn’t contract my buddy at the police department.”
I thought about what he had said and groaned, snagging his finger and squeezing. “You bastard. Using semantics against me isn’t very nice.”
“I never said I was a very nice man. Now, did I?”
“I guess you’re right.”
He took a deep breath, holding it briefly. A heat flash tickled my skin as soon as he exhaled. “However amazing the contract you secured for me is, that’s no excuse for your behavior. Tony was there to protect you. What the hell did you do with him?”
My shrug was casual. “He’s enjoying a drink with my bestie. Unless she’s already managed to drag him back to her apartment, which she’s been known to do. He seemed very interested in her.”
His entire jaw clenched. “What happened to being fearful of the person who contacted you?”
Every muscle stiffened again. “I’m still fearful, Maverick. I’m just being pragmatic. I can’t allow fear to destroy my life.”
The slow and steady shake of his head kept ripples of sensations dancing down my arms. “Not good enough.”
“If you say so.”
