“Being cooped up is definitely not a concern. You’ve got plenty of space to spread out.” She wandered through the room, taking in the oversized, custom bed before turning her attention to the sitting area off to the side. There were two large leather club chairs with a round table between them. The seats were turned toward the eighty-inch flat screen hanging on the wall.
“I know the screen is a touch overkill, but it's necessary.”
“It’s not the size that matters; it’s how you use it. Right?” Her plump lips curled up in a teasing grin. “But seriously, I'm not going to judge anyone based on how big their television is.”
“I put it to good use watching game video,” I promised.
She winked at me. “Good because I was lying. If your screen was tiny, I probably would've judged you.”
“No worries there,” I chuckled.
“Yeah, the guys are going to be jealous when they get a load of my view each night.”
Her view each night?“Are you planning to kick me out of my room?”
“Nope, but the other rooms are too far away for me to be able to protect you at night. It’ll be better for me to bunk in here with you.” She dropped her duffel on the floor and crouched down to unzip it. Then she pulled out a sleeping bag and started to unroll it.
Not a chance in hell.“No way are you sleeping on my floor.”
“It's no big deal. I've slept in worse places in this,” she reassured me.
That was something I could've done without hearing. But Brecken had said all of his employees had proven themselves on the battlefield, so it was safe to assume some of the places she had served had been beyond uncomfortable. “It doesn't matter. If you're in my home, you're going to sleep in a bed. On that I refuse to budge.”
She tilted her head to the side and searched my expression. “It bothers you that much?”
“Yes, I won't be able to sleep well knowing I’m comfortable in my bed while you're on the floor. Sleep is vital to me getting my job done.” I pointed at the left side of my mattress. “If you need to be closer to me, do me a favor and sleep over there.”
“As gentlemanly as your offer is, I have to say no.”
“Come on, Sera. The bed is more than big enough for the two of us. You don't have to worry about me making something out of nothing if you sleep with me.”
“It's not that,” she reassured me. “I need to be closer to the door. If you really want me in your bed, then I'm going to have to take the other side.”
Fuck yeah, I really wanted her in my bed. I knew I’d just told her I wasn't going to make anything of her sleeping there, but hearing those words come out of her mouth made my dick hard. It was too easy to picture her laid out on my mattress with her dark hair spread over my pillows. Even though having her so close and not being able to touch would wreak havoc with mysleep patterns, I wasn't about to change my mind. I’d never been one to look a gift horse in the mouth. “Sure, wherever you think is best.”
5
SERA
My first night in Rowan’s home went more smoothly than any other case where I’d served as the close protection detail. It wasn’t only because his bed was incredible. I was already comfortable around him, which was unusual for me because it usually took me a while to warm up to people. I’d slept better than I expected, but my eyes popped open when I heard a sound.
We weren’t in the house alone.
After shaking Rowan’s shoulder to wake him up, I slid off the mattress and yanked open the top drawer in the bedside table to grab my gun.
Rowan’s eyes went wide when he spotted the Glock in my hand. “What’s wrong?”
“Quiet,” I hissed softly. “Someone’s downstairs.” I ran over the house’s floorplan in my head and came up with a plan. “Follow behind me and head into the guest room at the end of the hall. Bring your phone with and call Whit’s cell to let him know what’s going on after you make it into the closet in there. I’ll send a text to Devon.”
Rowan rolled off the mattress and picked up his phone from the bedside table closest to him. He glanced at the screen and flashed me a reassuring smile. “You’re not going to need that.” He gestured at my gun. “It’s just my mom.”
His words stopped me in my tracks. “Your mom?”
“Yeah, shit. This is going to make me sound like a momma’s boy.” He ran his hand through his hair, tousling it even more than it already was. “Ever since I bought her the place next door last month, she’s started coming over to make me breakfast in the mornings.”
The houses in his neighborhood went for five to ten million, minimum. “That’s one hell of a gift.”
“She’s one hell of a mom and more than deserves it. I wouldn’t be where I am today without her,” he explained.
