“Will he have anyone looking for you?”
I hadn’t thought too much about her security needs until this morning. Then I did the dumb thing and looked up her grandfather and all but choked on my own spit. He’s worth billions and I can only assume she’s worth millions.
“Maybe.” She grimaces. “Probably.”
“Will that be a problem?” I can keep her safe if I have to, but I need to know if it’s necessary.
“No. I don’t care if he knows where I am as long ashedoesn’t come here.”
“Okay. Alarm stays on.”
Her eyes dart around the room. “You have an alarm?”
“Yes. The whole property is protected. I have thousands of dollars’ worth of tools and building supplies in the house and garage. Not to mention the house itself is valuable.”
“Of course, of course. Sorry.”
“What are you sorry for?”
Her answer is a shrug and a dip of her gaze again.
This woman is not the one who demanded I fuck her last night. This is the one I remember from the few times I’ve hung around her and her friends. Quiet, a bit timid. No, not timid, shy? I can’t get a read on her this morning.
“Lizzi.”
“Hmm…”
“Look at me.”
It takes a few seconds, but she finally does, and I ask. “Want to tear down another wall?”
Her gaze zips around the room again. “In here?”
“No. Upstairs. I’m turning two bedrooms into one with a walk-in closet and connecting bathroom.”
“Another master suite?”
“No,themaster suite. The one we’re in will be a guest room.”
“You’re reducing the number of bedrooms?”
“Yes. I think seven is enough for a house this size. And I might convert one into a theater room yet.” Most modern houses have them, although I’m not a fan. It will be the last thing I decide on, which gives me time to work out if I want to sell or keep the house.
She presses a hand to her stomach. “Do you have eggs?”
“You’re hungry?” I stride toward her, don’t let her flinch stop me from placing a hand on her lower back to urge her out of the room. “Let me make you an omelette.”
“I can make?—”
“I know. But let me take care of you. I don’t think you let many people do it.”
“Not many people want to do it,” she says before she drops her voice and mumbles, “Unless it benefits them.”
I hate that she feels that way. I hate even more that it’s probably the truth. That shit stops now. She doesn’t know it yet, but I intend to take care of her better than anyone else ever has.
And I don’t care who I piss off to do it.
11
