Page 45 of The One for Forever

But there was still nothing.

The only woman occupying my thoughts is the one who should absolutely be off-limits. And seeing Christian Hayworth flirt with her today made the craving even worse.

That was why the app was open on my phone. Of course, I hadn’t realized it. I never would’ve wanted Quinn to see my texts with Denise, much less that last one about meeting at her place.

I’m not going to meet up with Denise.Especially not now. After I practically molested the woman I’m supposed to protect with my life.

Okay, very bad choice of words. Quinn is a grown woman. She clearly reciprocated my interest. She said she’s into older men, which makes me wonder if she had ever looked at me that way before, with even a fraction of the desire I feel for her.

She seemed to enjoy kissing me. Said she wanted me.

Ngh. My cock twitches as I replay those moments. I shift in my seat. Her lips were so sweet beneath mine. Her body all soft curves I’m still desperate to explore. I still crave her. If anything, I want her more. If I could, I’d pull her into my arms and kiss her again and again and again. I would make her feel good. Show her that she’s the only woman in the world that I want.

But Ican’t.

What would my son say? About me, almost fifty, going after his best friend. A woman over twenty years my junior who’s supposed to be in my care. Who Cliffasked meto look out for. It’s possible he wouldn’t mind. But am I willing to take that risk when Cliff and I have a rocky relationship to begin with?

And what if it doesn’t work out? What if I break Quinn’s heart, or she breaks mine? What if she feels like I’ve taken advantage of her? She might already be feeling just that.

God, why couldn’t I stop myself from fucking everything up?

I’ve never lost control like that. I’m careful. Steady and reliable. I pride myself on it. When something goes haywire, I’m an expert at taking charge and righting the course. That’s how I operated when I was a Green Beret, and I carried that professionalism into my career with Bennett Security. I do the same with Team Triumph when we respond to disaster areas.

I’m supposed to know how to pick up the pieces. But right now, I’m the guy who’s caused a mess he can’t find his way out of.

“Get yourself together,” I growl. “Man the fuck up.”

I have to fix this.

Starting with Quinn. I’ll have a frank conversation with her, apologize again, and offer to let another Bennett Security bodyguard take over her detail. Not what I want to do. But what other solution is there? I can’t be trusted around her.

I decide to grab some dinner for her as a peace offering. Besides, that woman has a bad habit of forgetting to eat. On my way out of the parking lot, I stop to chat with the guys on duty watching the building exit. They haven’t seen anything odd all day. I let them know I’ll be back in a few, then swing by a burger place I know Quinn likes. I throw in some of the sweet potato fries she loves because I’m not above groveling.

Back at the DA building, I park and use my temporary key card to swipe my way inside. The halls are eerily quiet, unlike Bennett Security, which always has something going on at all hours. Quinn seems to work harder than all her colleagues. Except maybe Lana, but even she’s had to slow down with her pregnancy.

Does Quinn want kids?

That thought pops into my head out of nowhere. It just emphasizes the difference between us. I’ve got an adult son who’s almost thirty. I’ve got more gray in my chest hair than black. But Quinn is just getting started. She should be with a man who can give her all the years she deserves.

And that’s not me. I know that. But I can’t help the sinking disappointment in my stomach.

“Shake it off,” I say. “Worry about Quinn, not your own damn self.”

There’s a shout somewhere up ahead. Almost like a reply to my statement, but of course it’s not.

Something’s wrong.

I drop the bag of takeout burgers and sprint forward. When I turn the corner, I see a guy in a Halloween mask shove Quinn into a wall. She crumples to the ground.

No.

Shouting, I race to her. Her attacker is already running in the opposite direction, and I want to tackle that fucker and make him pay. But I have to see to Quinn. So I pull out my phone and radio to my men outside, reporting that our protectee is down.

“Attacker in a mask and hoodie fleeing to the south side of the building.”

“Roger. We’re on it.”

“Get medical here. That’s the priority.” I lower the radio. They’ll have an ambulance responding within minutes, but Ikneel to check her over myself. My heart is beating like a fist against my ribs.

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