Page 2

His angel was a terrible liar, which only endeared her to him. So much time spent on covert ops had given him a profound appreciation for honesty. “I’m not lurking, I swear.”

The sliding glass door inched open a little more. “Look, it doesn’t matter. Just go on your way, and we can leave each other alone. Sound good, hmm?” Another inch.

A thread tugged at Damon’s chest. He didn’t want them to part ways with her feeling scared. Somehow, she was already more than a mere stranger to him. He wanted her to feel safe, whoever she was. Damon couldn’t explain it, but he trusted his instincts, and his instincts were screaming at him to protect her. “How can I prove it to you? Want me to call Nic right now?”

She froze. “You have Nic’s phone number? The landlord only communicates via email.”

How did she know that? Must be a serious girlfriend. “I’ve never talked to Nic, but my dad had his phone number included in the paperwork on this property.” The anxiety began to dissolve on her face, so he continued. “My dad passed three months ago, and I’ve been sorting out his estate. He left me this duplex and the paperwork for the tenants, well, tenant, as the guy in Unit A moved out last month.”

“What’s your name?” Her hand dropped from the door handle.

“Damon.”

“Show me your ID.”

Damon didn’t hesitate to comply with the request. He took out his wallet and used the excuse to get closer to her. She studied his Illinois driver’s license before fully relaxing. Damon couldn’t understand how someone like Nic, who was a demanding tenant, could be in a relationship with a woman this suspicious. Even if they were a perfect pair, something inside his chest burned to give her the security and safety she craved.

He would care for her better than Nic was, that’s for damn sure.

“I’m sorry about your dad. He was so nice.” She extended her hand to shake. “I’m Nicole. I live in Unit B, and we’ve been emailing for the last three months.”

Chapter Two

Nicole’s heart raced for a new reason as she shook Damon’s large, warm hand. It was the kind of hand that could tell stories with callouses and scars.

Muscles along his forearm rippled as he held her hand just a beat longer than normal. His whole body was nothing but muscles and strength. He could vanquish anyone who threatened to hurt him without breaking a sweat.

Must be nice.

“It’s nice to meet you, Nic… ole.” His thumb rubbed her hand. The longer he held it, the more Nicole wanted him to rub other things.

She cleared her throat and her dirty mind. “It’s nice to know you come in peace. Would you like me to let you into the empty unit? The last guy left me the key when he moved out.”

Her sweet, elderly landlord—former landlord—had been a godsend for Nicole at a time when she desperately needed it. Any kindness she could return to him was well worth the effort, like holding the key for the next tenant so he didn’t have to mail it back and forth. Travel had been hard for the old man, and she never met him in person.

Damon dropped her hand, and his brows dropped in time with the motion. The man knew how to scowl like no other.

“My father let the previous tenant leave the key with you?”

Nicole shrugged. “What can I say? I’m a trusty tenant.”

“Did you let prospective tenants into the empty unit? Were you the one giving tours?”

“Whoa, back up. Your father asked for my help, and I was happy to give it. I had no complaints from him about anything. The reason he hasn’t rented it out yet is because the rent is too high for the state of the building. Everything is out of date, and there are a lot of repairs needed.”

His eyes scanned the yard and the backside of the duplex. Nicole did what she could to spruce up both sides of the building, but she drew the line at climbing ladders. As if conjured by her thoughts, a stretch of gutter gave way and crashed to the ground.

“See?”

His response was an honest to God grunt.

“Now that my point is made, I’m going inside. I’ll grab that key for you, and I’ll stay out of your way while you work.” She didn’t love the idea of a man she didn’t know bustling around the place, but it was bound to happen anyway. A new tenant, a hired handyman, eventually she’d lose her solitude. At least this guy didn’t give her bad vibes, even if he had bad manners.

No, that wasn’t fair. He wasn’t rude, just ill tempered. Maybe he didn’t like being surprised by finding her soaking up the last rays of summer sun. A breeze of chilly autumn air drew another shiver out of her.

Like so many things in her life, summer was gone. She should just accept it, throw on a pair of sweats, and embrace the new reality.

“I don’t want you meeting with anyone in that empty unit when you’re alone.”