Her cheeks flushed, making her look even younger in the sunlight that filtered through the kitchen window. God, she was pretty, and so fucking off-limits. I made a mental note to remind myself of that every goddamned hour if necessary.
I couldnotfuck my boss’s stepdaughter and the woman I’d vowed to protect.
“Thank you,” she said softly. “My mom’s always been the pretty one. I kind of look like her, but I look like my dad too, so I didn’t get her classic beauty.”
My eyes roved over her smooth skin and button nose. “Bianca’s gorgeous, but so are you. It’s nice to be unique in a world of unoriginals, right?”
She squinted one eye. “Not all the time, but when someone gets you, yeah, it’s kind of nice.” She bit her lip, squeezing the flesh there as I inwardly told my cock to calm the fuck down. “Are we okay? Sorry I flipped out before. I have a lightning-fast temper.”
“You?” I asked sardonically. “Hadn’t noticed.”
Laughing, she rested her chin on her fist. “I’m going to try harder. Promise.” She drew an X over her heart.
Unable to resist touching her, I slid my palm over her thigh and gently squeezed. “You’ve had a lot happen in a short time. Losing your dad, your inheritance and your freedom. I get it. But I’m not your enemy, Alexis.”
“I know.” She slipped her hand over mine. The depths of her eyes swam with genuineness as she whispered. “Thank you.”
“Of course.”
“Okay,” she said, gliding from the chair and walking around the island. “Let me make us two more sandwiches.”
We settled into that comfortable silence again, the one I rarely felt with other people, as we ate the second set of sandwiches. Once finished, she cleared the plates and began washing them.
“I can do that,” I said, approaching her as she ran the sponge over the plates.
“It’s fine. I need something to do with my hands. I’m going to hop back on my laptop in a bit.”
Lord help me, but I could think of an infinite number of things she could do with her hands. Unfortunately, they were all off-limits, so I backed away.
“I’m going to head outside and check the security cameras before pulling up the feed and making sure no one approached the house over the past twenty-four hours.”
Her eyebrows narrowed. “What are the chances John and his goons will find us?”
“There’s no doubt they’re looking for you, but they also have a ton of other shit to deal with now that Michael’s coming for them. I suspect we’re safe, but I’ll monitor the camera feed often to confirm.”
Nodding, she wiped her hands on a dishtowel. “Cool. I can help with the feed if you want. I’m kind of a super-genius hacker. I don’t say that to brag. Nerdy stuff like that has just always come naturally to me.”
“Okay. Once I’m done with the physical check, we’ll go over the footage together.”
She smiled, looking guileless and sultry all at once, and I backed toward the door, craving fresh air. “See you in a bit, princess.” Realizing my mistake, I held up my hand. “Shit, sorry—”
“It’s fine,” she said, shrugging. “I have been kind of a spoiled brat. Like I said, I’m going to try harder.”
“Me too,” I said, my tone genuine.
Exiting the kitchen, I stepped outside and ran my fingers through my hair. Looking to the sky, I prayed for strength.
Strength to resist my beautiful ward.
Strength to protect her and ensure no one ever harmed one hair on her pretty head.
Strength to endure close proximity with someone since I was used to mostly being alone.
Resolved, I headed to monitor the cameras and locks, intent on successfully completing the mission before me.
Chapter 5
Alexis
