Taking a deep breath, he very patiently explained. “I’d like to put my number in it in case you need me during the night.”
“You’re not...staying here? With me, I mean?”
His expression was unreadable. “You made it pretty clear you didn’t want me inside your home.”
“I didn’t think it mattered what I wanted.”
Grant’s lips pressed into a hard line. “During the drive here, I thought about what you said. While it’s not how I would prefer to do things, I understand your hesitation.”
“You do?”
“You’re a single woman living alone. I could easily overpower you if I wanted.”
The image of him lying on top of her formed in her mind’s eye. Brynnon wasn’t sure which she felt more...fear or arousal.
Licking her dry lips, she shook her head. “Exactly. Okay, then.” She handed him her phone. “So, you’ll go home, and I’ll call you if I need anything?”
He finished adding his name and number to her contact list before answering. “No. I’ll be out front in my truck.”
“Your truck?” She looked at him as if he’d lost his marbles. “It’s like twenty-nine degrees outside. You’ll freeze!”
Typically, Decembers in Dallas weren’t horrifically cold. This year, however, the area had already been experiencing record lows.
“I’ll be fine.”
“This is stupid, Grant. You’ve already checked the place out and as we discussed earlier, the threats my father received were directed toward him not me. So, go home and sleep in your nice, warm bed. I promise if something happens, you’ll be the first person I call.”
Ignoring her pleas, Grant turned for the door. “Lock this behind me, set the alarm, and work on that list of contacts before you go to bed. I need it by morning.”
Brynnon shook her head at the stubborn man. If he was expecting her to beg, he could think again.
“Fine. Whatever. Just don’t oversleep. Open house starts at nine, but I need to be there no later than eight.”
She thought he may have responded with a low grunt, but wasn’t sure. What she did know was she wasn’t going to waste any more time worrying about his stubborn ass.
As soon as the door was locked and the alarm set, Brynnon went upstairs into her office and quickly made the list of names and phone numbers he’d requested. After that, she took a hot shower to help ease the tension in her tight muscles.
Tomorrow was an important day, and she needed to be well-rested and welcoming when the potential buyers arrived.
Feeling relaxed for the first time all day, Brynnon slid under the covers and laid back on her soft pillow. Closing her eyes, she tried to clear her mind of anything stressful or worrisome, but thoughts of Grant sitting outside in a freezing-cold car kept barging in.
After nearly an hour of tossing and turning and staring at a blank ceiling, Brynnon gave up. Throwing her covers off, she grabbed her thick robe from the bathroom and stomped back downstairs.
Not bothering to tie her work boots, she slid them on and stormed outside. Sucking in a breath of cold air, Brynnon held her robe tightly closed and clomped her way down the front steps and through the crunchy grass.
Grant spotted her immediately and turned his key enough to bring power to the windows.
Sliding his down, he asked, “What’s wrong?”
“My conscience is being a nagging bitch.”
His brows arched. “I’m sorry?”
Brynnon huffed out a breath, sending a silvery cloud into the air in front of her. “You can come inside, but you’re staying on the couch.”
Understanding crossed over his handsome face. He shook his head. “Don’t want to put you out, Princess.”
“I told you not to call me that,” she glared. “Look, do you want to come inside or not?” When Grant still didn’t budge, she fought the urge to stomp her foot. “You know what? Forget it. I take it back. You want to freeze your ass off out here, be my guest.”
