Page 38 of Breaking Free

“No. But congratulations on the part.”

“Thanks,” she said, bending to slide the bottle of pink Moscato from the bottom shelf. She stood in time to catch him staring at her ass.

His eyes rose to hers, neither embarrassed nor apologetic. Then, as if it hadn’t happened, he picked up the thread of their conversation about her stalker.

“When you file your report tomorrow, ask for Detective Lloyd. He’s a friend. I’ll let him know you’re coming in.” Tristan moved to the door, where he paused and turned back. “If you need me to go with you, I can move some things around.”

She shook her head. “I’m a big girl. Besides, I’m not sure when I’ll be through with the first closing.”

“You’re certain?”

“Yeah. I’ll be okay.”

He reached behind him, pulled out his wallet, and strode back to her. After sifting through it, he extended a business card.

“Here’s my number if you change your mind.”

She took it, thumbing over the raised lettering for Rossi Security, Inc.

“It’s probably nothing,” she said. “Just some crackpot, right?”

He hesitated, his expression softening as if sensing her distress and not wanting to add to it. “Maybe,” he replied, which wasn’t very convincing, “but it pays to be careful.”

She could read between the lines; he thought it probably was something.

“Lock up behind me.”

Piper nodded, following him to the door. After she slid the useless chain into place and turned the only slightly better dead bolt, she rested her forehead against the cool wood, listening to his boots as he walked away.

Didn’t that figure? She got the role of her life on the same day she gained a stalker; her first-ever lucky streak beginning andending at almost the same instant. On top of that, the hottie next door, who she suspected wanted her as much as she wanted him but refused to act on it, took her on as a project.

She’d learned something from this, at least. If Vegas ever called, she was a hard no.

Chapter 11

WHEN PIPER ARRIVEDhome the following afternoon, she paused at the bottom of the steps, taking a moment to admire the newly installed wrought iron security door. The intricate scrollwork was beautiful. Piper was relieved it didn’t take away from the overall aesthetic of the exterior since she hadn’t been able to reach the property owner to discuss the modifications needed for her protection.

She noticed movement behind the door an instant before it swung open. Tristan stared down at her, his molded-on black T-shirt revealing his sculpted upper body more stunning than the ornate ironwork. He skipped pleasantries and wasted no time in getting straight to the point.

“I have another job to get to. Come on up, and I’ll walk you through the security upgrades I’ve made.”

He turned and disappeared inside.

She ascended the steps muttering under her breath, “I’m just fine, Tristan. Thank you. Lovely weather we’re having, isn’t it?”

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