Page 10 of Furious Protector
She gives me a coy smile.“You don’t trust yourself with a naked woman in the next room?Should I be worried about my virtue?”She pauses a moment as if deciding to say it.“Or maybe I’m just imagining the heat between the two of us?”
I smirk, grasping her hands and walking her back to the wall of the kitchen, caging her to the wall.She looks up at me with not a fear in the world, all aglow with those bedroom eyes that make me want to toss her over my shoulder and cart her to bed.
Business with pleasure is usually a no, a hard no, but with her it’s just simply a hell yes.But not until she’s a hundred percent on her game.I let my breath brush over the sensitive shell of her ear.“If you flirt with me tomorrow, I’m going to show you just how hot it can get, darling.”
Her sharp little intake of breath and the rapidly beating pulse on the side of her neck tell me everything that I need to know.She is as affected by me as I am by her.No matter that I don’t do relationships, that I don’t usually mix business with pleasure, and definitely no matter that I am not on the market for anything other than a toss in the hay.
It’s a physical attraction, that’s all.A chemistry between two people that spark, it happens in life.That’s what this is, nothing more.
I’ve almost convinced myself of that when her arms wrap around my neck, pulling my head down so close to her lips that I could easily touch them with my own.“I love that you’re such a hardass and gentleman at the same time.Thank you, Beckett.”
With that she unwraps herself and slips from the cage I’ve made from my arms, and walks out of the kitchen, leaving me to ponder the emotions clamoring in my chest.
This can’t be happening.I don’t do relationships, and that’s a known fact.Yet, with her, maybe I could give it a try.If it weren’t for the fact that she is a hometown girl, probably just looking for a way out and someone who will protect her from it all.
I would do well to remember everything that’s happened, keep this runaway attraction in check because there’s no way I’m going through heartbreak again, and the easiest way to avoid that is to stay detached.
Cool, aloof, and no strings attached.
But yet, keeping Jules protected from everyone but me is the only thing on my mind.
8
Jules
Ahot shower dispels the grogginess, even though a cold shower is probably what I really needed after that sweet-talking man filled my ears with all those dirty thoughts.There is no denying he is the real deal, through and through.Any number of men would have taken full advantage of my flirty self tonight, without any thought or remorse.
I wrap in one of the body-sized cashmere towels that I received for Christmas from Krissy and Cole last year and comb out and blow dry my hair.The eyes staring back at me look a little glossy still.No more drinking on an empty stomach.Duly chastised, I put the finishing touches on my hair before heading to the bedroom to get changed.
Dressed in a fresh pair of jeans and tee, I pad barefoot into the dining room to find the gang sitting around the table with four pizzas, cut and in the center.Plates sit in front of them along with napkins.I glance at Beckett who gives me a smirk.“I told you I’d do just fine.Sit down and grab something to eat.”
Lacy gives me wide eyes and chews the bite in her mouth.“You better do what the boss says, or he may just flip you over and tan your hide.”
My mouth gapes.“Lacy!”
She grins and looks at Garrett who just shakes his head and tries rather unsuccessfully to keep the smirk off of his face.Lacy shrugs, wiping her mouth with a napkin.“It’s not like anyone in the room can’t feel the sparks flying off the wall between the two of you.Whew!”she says.
PJ averts her eyes, trying to stay out of the conversation, but Lacy’s not one to keep her nose to herself and she doesn’t want to be alone.She gently pushes PJ’s shoulders.“Come on, can’t you feel the vibes between these two?What do you want to bet that the minute we’re out that door they’re smooching away?”
Beckett gives me a smile and a wink from his seat across from me.He looks first to Lacy, then to PJ.“I have no doubt that if anything develops, you two will be the first to know.”
My cheeks flame.“Sure, encourage them, Beckett.Now rumors will be floating all over town.Lacy and PJ will tell Lettie and then Lettie will tell every single person that walks through the doors of Wild Deuces bar.”
“A good way to get a message to the Eldridge crew that you’re locked up and protected.Right?Let them think what they want right now.We know the truth.”
The butterflies in my stomach stop dancing and a lump forming in the back of my throat makes it difficult to swallow.Beckett doesn’t really want me…
So, maybe I got ahead of myself, or maybe the green-eyed hunk has had second thoughts about a fling with me.Either way, it shouldn’t hurt my feelings or my pride and I’m not going to let on for a moment that it did.“Right, let them think what they want.They don’t need to know you’re about as far from my type as you can get.”
I grab a piece of pizza, place it on a napkin, and grab a water.“I’m heading to bed everyone.It has been such a long day.Stay as long as you like.You know your way out.Just lock up behind you.”
I make my way toward the hallway, not needing to turn around to feel his eyes on my body, because they heat my skin right through.Lacy, what a big mouth.At least PJ could have stood up for me, but she just sits there quiet and smug.It wasn’t so funny when they were attracted to their guys, was it?
I’ve gotten myself worked up into quite the tizzy by the time I reach my bedroom, and the door closes behind me harder than intended.So, we’re not a thing.I never thought we were a thing.Not really.
But he did say tomorrow.Maybe I just read more into that little statement than he meant, maybe my traitorous body just wanted him to want me the same way I wanted him.Damn that second drink all to hell.I swear it’s messing with my hormones and my senses.Especially where that green-eyed devil is concerned.
Either way… I guess now I know.
