Page 37 of Locke 2

I froze at hearing his voice, smooth, detached. I slowly looked at him. He’d dragged a kitchen chair in the bedroom. Had been sitting in it for who knows how long. Legs extended on the bed, his arms were folded, his gaze hard on me. Our eyes locked, and I felt my cheeks burn.

There was so much light in the bedroom, I saw him entirely. It was crazy to think he’d been inside me last night. He’d fucked me raw, with so much devastating passion behind his vicious words. He had been so angry at me, but he looked so flat now, I couldn’t imagine him being pissed off—

Wait a minute.

Did he just say he’d taken Dahlia out for me? I blinked a few times, trying to imagine this suited man taking my tiny white chihuahua out for a potty break.

“Thank you,” I said quietly.

Now that we were in the light, I felt horribly conscious and shy. He looked like a damn god, all ripped and big in that wrinkle-free suit. How was it possible not one hair atop his head was out of place? He didn’t even look tired, while I was pretty sure I was sporting raccoon eyes.

He watched me, his eyes roaming my face with alertness. “She’s not very loyal.”

My lips pulled up in a small smile. “And not a very good guard dog.”

He nodded once, glancing at the bed. My cheeks burned because when his eyes dragged back to mine, I caught the knowing look in them. He’d wrecked me. My body was sore, and I fought not to wince as I slowly leaned back against the headboard.

He looked at my mouth, and then back at my eyes. “Your roommate never made it home.”

“He’s been doing that a lot lately.”

I was so relieved Hal wasn’t here. There was no doubt in my head he would have heard the shaggathon last night if he had been home.

“Are you in pain?”

The sudden question made me freeze. I looked down at his folded, bulging arms, nodding. “Yes.”

“Good.”

My mouth fell open, no words came out.

Now his eyes flicked to the newspaper on the nightstand. My heart climbed to my throat. “You have that there for a reason?”

I looked at the newspaper because it was better than looking at him. I licked my lips slowly. “It reminded me that you exist.”

I felt his eyes on me. “Had you forgotten I did?”

I hesitated, glancing at him. “I wanted to forget.”

He looked away from me, his eyes hard on the floor. Did I just fuck up with that response? But how could I just admit that while I wanted to forget, it never happened. Never once.

Didn’t matter. He didn’t give me the chance.

“I looked into the boy.”

I straightened up. “Already?”

He leaned over, resting his elbows on his knees, his gaze still trapped to the floor. “Surface information. I have a powerful source that can give me something else I need to know to go forward in the right direction. On the ground level, I won’t know much more until my men get here.”

I blinked rapidly, absorbing his words. “You’re going to get your guys to look into him.”

He nodded once. “I am.”

“Thank you, Locke.”

He worked his jaw, keeping his lips pressed shut tightly. Seconds passed.

“Will you stay for breakfast?” I asked.

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