Page 78 of Her Rugged Guardian

“And it’s going to take time.”

“What if we don’t have time? I feel like whoever threatened me is watching all the time. It’s like having creepy crawlies that will never leave.”

I reached across the table, taking her hand into mine. “Hey, stop worrying. I’ll keep you safe.”

“You will, huh?”

“Yeah, I plan on it.”

“That means you’ll need to camp out at my place.”

Her playful side kept my cock twitching, so much so I was thrown by the sensations. Maybe I’d drag her into the bathroom, fucking her brains out. Oh, great. The vision of doing that reminded me how bad I was at this kind of thing.

“I was only teasing, Jake. I’m not trying to push anything. While I’ve enjoyed seeing another side of Mr. Grinch, I have no illusions of grandeur about what we’re sharing.”

I pulled my hand away, placing my palm against my chest. “Ouch. That hurt.”

“Very funny. I’m serious. After the last two years, I’m not certain I want to be seriously involved with anyone. Maybe we should change the subject. I just hope your friend can catch the killer.”

“He will.” Or so I hoped. Annoyance at the entire situation tightened my chest, so much so that with every breath I took, another ache formed.

“Tell me about your brother.”

“He’s a good guy, although we don’t always see eye to eye. I hate that my father has influenced him to this degree.”

“Ah, there’s the guilt I know and love, Mr. Grinch. How old is your brother?”

“A couple years younger than me.”

“And what are you, fifty?” She laughed again, pressing the back of her hand across her lips.

“You are so funny tonight. I’m thirty-two.”

“Not so old. What I’m trying to say is that he’s old enough to make his own decisions. You can’t hold his hand any longer or it will keep a rift between the two of you.”

She had a way of putting things into perspective. “How’d you get so smart?”

“Born with brains and beauty, I guess.”

“Tell me more about Stephen,” I said after the waiter finally brought another scotch.

“Let’s see. I might not be good at dating either but that’s what you want to talk about? My ex? I’m not grilling you about Barbie,” Cassandra teased as she turned her head in my direction.

“I told you I wasn’t good at dating. I’m out of practice.”

“I don’t know. From where I sit, you clean up pretty good and you happen to be a wonderful conversationalist.”

“You really are a bad liar.” I’d said maybe five sentences since arriving, merely prompting her to tell me more about herself.

“No, you do look hot in those black jeans.” She laughed but I sensed her thoughts were as muddled about her past as mine. “Why do you want to know?”

“Because he treated you badly and I don’t like it. In fact, I won’t tolerate it.”

“I’m here now, Jake. He’s across the country. It’s over and being here with you is like a breath of fresh air.”

I snarled, which seemed to catch her by surprise. “I still don’t like it.”

“You don’t need to be my champion. I can take care of myself.”

---