Page 27 of Protected By the Billionaire Ex-SEAL

I expect a lot of questions, but none come. That seems to be the theme today: Raven looking like she wants to ask badly, but in the end, she doesn’t. I keep waiting for the interrogation to happen, but I suppose her hesitance comes from the boundaries I set the moment this assignment started.

There’s a tinge of regret that sits inside me, but then the flash of a woman screaming before an echoing gunshot comes rolling in—a reminder that I’m doing the right thing.

“Well, it’s in the past now.” She shrugs. “I’m pretty sure if the people here find out, it won’t be a big deal anymore.”

Maybe to some, but I know a few who’d still make a big deal out of it and spread it around like it is gospel. I don’t want Aaron to think I’m overstepping boundaries or trying to start something because I’m not. He’s a truly good guy, one who treats Honey Lee right, and I’ve come to a point where I’m genuinely happy for them.

“Not that they’ll find out. Or if they did, it won’t come from me,” Raven adds, then pretends her mouth’s a zipper and she’s closing it.

There’s a mischievous glint in her eye. But there’s also a restless vibe to her that I noticed since we started this game, and it keeps growing every time I tone down her dares into questions or safe activities.

I get her cabin fever. I have it sometimes, too, but I guess I’m better at ignoring it since there were days when I was stuck on the military base with nothing to do. And being stuck with her isn’t so bad.

Unless you count me holding her in my lap and almost kissing her, which hasn’t happened again.

Stop thinking about it.

“Hmm. My secret’s safe, then.”

“Where does the back lead to?”

The random change of topic throws me off. “Back?”

“Of your house.”

“Oh. It’s a field. Then the forest. Why?”

“I keep seeing it every time you dare me to walk a straight line to the kitchen.” She gives me a baleful look. “What about your neighbors? How are they?”

“Good. Mostly old people. And the next two houses are vacant. Are you tired of the game now? Or are you delaying it because you know I’ll just ask you another question?”

At my teasing, she glares. “It’s getting boring. You’re making it boring.”

“Let’s go to sleep, then.”

“I want to keep playing.”

“Fine. Truth or dare?”

“Dare.”

I open my mouth, intending to ask her yet another question, but the way her gaze is boring holes into my skull tells me this might be the last straw for her. I hesitate only for a second before I go for it.

“I dare you to do something you’ve never done before.”

Her pupils dilate in the realization that I just repeated her statement, then shock. Then anticipation slides in, one that lights up her features and taps at my curiosity. What is she planning?

Is she going to down the whiskey like I did? Is she going to dance around the room? When she reaches for her glass, I chuckle.

“Now who’s calling who boring?—”

Then, the rest of the words die in my throat when Clara takes a long gulp, slams the glass down, and runs toward the kitchen. But she doesn’t stop there, her hands already opening the back door with the twists and clicks she practiced with me before. Seconds later, she’s outside.

I move to follow her, torn between amusement and confusion as she keeps walking away from my backyard. Then shock slams into me when Raven strips off her clothes in one go until she’s down to her underwear. My mouth goes dry at the sight of her lace bra and panties, but it’s the gleam in her eyes that takes my focus.

“No wolves or bears here, right?”

“No.”

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