Page 17 of Guarded By the Lumberjack
Penny doesn't let go of me, and I don't want her to. I might be clinging to her just as much; I'd had much different plans for when I got back to her, that's for damn certain.
"What the hell are you doing here, anyway?" I finally get around to asking my old friend.
"Activating the lock on the panic room door sends an alert to our security crew." Harlan rummages through the fridge and pulls out a beer.
"Perimeter secure?" He asks me pointedly, before popping the top on the can after I nod in the affirmative.
"Thought you were in Montana?"
"Helo."
Frost shrugs, leaning on the counter and knocking back the beer.
"Where'd you score a chopper?"
No matter how much I want to hear about my buddy's obvious budget increase, I really want the asshole out of here.
"Never mind, tell me later."
Harlan looked like he was about to launch into a story I don't have patience to hear at the moment. My arm tightens around Penny, who's quick to nestle closer into me as I pull her against my chest without thinking.
"Thought you were on assignment?"
My old buddy speaks nonchalantly enough, but I notice both the covert glance at the woman in my arms and the tick of his jaw that's about the closest thing to a smile I've ever seen cross the man's face.
Penny stifles a snicker when she feels my arms tighten, like she heard the threatening glare I just shot over her head.
Harlan nods slowly, empties the beer, and drops the can in the sink, before moving toward the door.
"We'll be around town for a few days," he says as he crosses the threshold. "Make the trip in."
The door closes behind him and I'm quick to lock it from the inside. Although, knowing Frost, he's got four other ways inside in addition to picking the lock.
"Ohmygod...Cal?"
Turning around quick at the panicked sound of Penny's voice, I immediately see the problem.
"I'm fine," I assure her. "It's not mine...come on. We'll get it all cleaned up."
Taking her hand, I steer her into the back bathroom-- the one with the big shower stall-- and quickly get to work stripping us both down while the water warms.
Penny's face is pale and I don't like the way her body shakes lightly as I deposit her bloody clothes in a heap along with my own.
I forgot about that. I was too shocked to find Harlan's man joining me on the scene-- almost went for him too, till he identified himself-- and too damn relieved to see Pen out of the secure room and safe with Harlan and the other guys he brought with him.
It slipped my mind that she might feel squeamish about wearing the blood of the guy who'd been planning to kill her.
"Better?" I ask, once she's had a few minutes under the hot spray.
Penny nods, offering a brave smile.
She's fucking gorgeous, with the water gliding over those wicked curves of hers, and need to have her again rides me hard.
"Good, because I can't stop thinking about you. On your knees. With my dick in your mouth."
Chapter Nine
Penny
