Tabitha was holding herself stiffly. She backed away, nodding. “Yeah. I can do that, but lunch will be here in about twenty, so hurry your ass.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Major wiggled his ass, garnering a giggle from Tabitha. He fuckin’ loved her laugh. He made his way down the same hallway Perry and Craig had gone. Craig was unpacking his things, but Perry was nowhere to be seen. Major continued to the next open door. The room was nicely furnished with a king-sized bed, which he was thankful for. Major glanced outside, taking in the surroundings. The patio had a stone wall around it with a firepit in the middle. Steps led to a manicured lawn with a pathway, which he assumed led to the lake. Instead of unpacking, Major left his bags on the bed, removed his suit jacket, hanging it in the large closet, and returned to the kitchen, rolling his sleeves as he walked.
“I reset the alarm codes as soon as I got here.” Tabitha relayed the new numbers. After punching them in, she stepped outside. Major followed her willingly. “Luckily, the downstairs bedrooms don’t have doors leading outside. That’s less entryways we have to worry about.”
Tabitha stepped over to the concrete wall and gazed out toward the lake. Major approached, leaving a few feet between them. “Do you know how badly I want to kiss you right now?”
She grinned, keeping her eyes averted. “I have a pretty good idea. I keep repeating to myself that I can be professional.”
It took all Major’s resolve to keep from grabbing her. “Professional. Right. When Mason called, I was thrilled, but I didn’t take into consideration how difficult this job would be with you here. But yes, we can be professional. How’s the family?” Changing the subject was necessary in that moment.
Tabitha laughed. “Oh, my gods. You’re never going to believe it. Tony met his mate, and get this; she’s a fae from another realm. One where dragons exist.”
Surely, she was joking. “You’re shitting me.”
“I shit you not. Elle, Tony’s mate, and her sperm donor, Grevolus, came through a portal several years ago and have been stuck here ever since.” Tabitha explained how Elle was a light fae and had been dragged off to live with her dark fae father. A battle ensued between the darks and dragons, where her siblings were guardians for the dragon prince and princess, and that a raven turned out to be a shifter who removed some type of dark sigil. It was like something out of a fantasy movie.
“And just like I couldn’t be there when Sebastian went after the wolves of Dakota’s pack, I’m stuck here and can’t help Anthony go up against Grevolus.” Tabitha’s pout shouldn’t be so adorable.
“I’d feel the same if it were Marshall in this situation, but on the other hand, I’m glad you’re here with me.”
Tabitha sighed. “Yeah. You’re the only thing making this situation bearable.”
Major needed to change the subject. Again. Hegestured to her clothes. “Since you’re dressed casually, does that mean I can ditch the suit?” He’d already abandoned the coat, but he was still in the dress pants and shoes.
Her eyes flared with heat as she looked him up and down. “I don’t know. You look mighty fine.”
“Tabby,” he growled.
“Sorry, not sorry. But yes.” She waved a hand around. “We can and should dress comfortably while we’re here. I took a look around this morning, and our biggest concern will be the lake. We’ll notice if a boat docks at our slip, but it would be easy for someone to pull up to any of the other ones if the houses are unoccupied for the winter since the trees block our view to the neighboring properties. I have the Trio looking into that. Did Mason send the extra cameras?”
“He did. I’ll get those installed after we eat.”
Tabitha’s phone rang, interrupting. Major listened in as she answered. “Yes, Fred?”
“You have a delivery from The Roasted Pig. Should I send them to the house or have them leave it here?”
“Leave it there, and we’ll come get it. Thank you.”
“No problem.”
Tabitha disconnected and pocketed her phone. “Why don’t you take a look around while I go to the guard shack?”
“I can do that.”
Tabitha took a few steps, but then she stopped and looked back at him. “I’m really glad you’re here.”
Major gave her his best smile. The genuine one, which would show off his dimples if he didn’t have a beard. “Me too.”
Major did as Tabitha suggested and took in hissurroundings, noting spots where someone could get onto the property easily. Even though it was just him and Tabby, he could take to his Eagle and do flyovers. It was ingrained in him to watch over the females in his family, and his Gryphon already considered Tabitha theirs, but she was a competent security specialist who could handle someone wielding a knife. Major walked back to the house, ready to change into something more casual. When he entered the back door, Tabitha was sitting at the table with Craig and Trista. The latter’s eyes widened when she glanced up at Major.
He inclined his head to the female. “Miss Bellinger, I’m Major Lazlo.”
“It’s a pleasure,” she husked. Oh boy. Major was used to being hit on by clients, but he never returned their interest, no matter how attractive they were, even before he met his redhead.
Tabitha pointed to the carry-out plate next to hers. “I poured you a sweet tea.”
“Thanks, Tabby.” Major sat down, spreading his legs so his knee touched hers. “Where’s Perry?”
