Page 35 of Protective Heroes

I’m not sure where it came from but a soft brush of cool air carried a hint of his cologne with it and made me gasp quietly.

I wanted to hate myself for noticing it, but how could I not? This one was definitely better. Not heavy but not flowery either. Almost like the sea and winter collided and they managed to bottle the power of both.

My pulse thundered in my ears. Oh. My. God. I’ve never gotten wet over a scent before, but damn, I’m pretty sure if I were to stroke a finger through my folds, I’d find myself drenched and ready.

Okay, calm down, girl, keep it cool.

He tightened his jaw and lowered his face to mine. An inch and I could kiss the man senseless. I sucked a cherry off my umbrella-topped toothpick. Sex in a suit or not, I was not going to make this easy.

Gabriel’s lips pressed into a hard line. I held back a giggle. Maybe this would be more fun than I thought, after all.

“A scene, huh? We’re way past that point unless you’ve forgotten all twenty girls staring at you for the past five minutes. Why don’t you get yourself a drink, sit down and enjoy taking a break from being my father’s errand boy for a bit? Maybe take off your jacket and shirt while you are at it.”

A girl could try, right?

He folded his thick arms over his expansive chest. “Since you want to be treated like a child, I’ll oblige you. By the time I’ve counted to three, that fine ass of yours better be heading through the hotel and straight to my truck.” He started to pull off his jacket. “And you need to cover up.”

Ouch. Burn. I threw up a hand. “Keep it, asshole. What, you don’t like a curvy girl?” I sat up, squared my shoulders and narrowed my gaze so thin I knew he felt the daggers I shot at him.

I worked damn hard to look good in this bikini in my opinion. A little appreciation went a long way. Sure he referred to my ass as fine, but I was pretty sure that was his idea of humor.

I rolled the empty toothpick between my painted nails, considering my next move.

One, I could make a run for my room, hope he chased me, we both smash into my hotel room, we land on my bed and have the best sex ever.

Merry Christmas to me.

Or, two, I make a run for it, fall into the pool with these four-inch heels, make a big watery mess and it all ends up on Instagram. Which, sad to say, is more probable with my luck.

“One.”

Oh, I liked that option better too. Too bad he was completely unaware of my inner dilemma.

I laid back against the chaise lounge and closed my eyes.

“Two.”

“Goodbye, Gabriel. Run along, I’m sure my father has other errands for you.”

The breeze smelled like cinnamon and I remember the holiday festivities the hotel had planned for guests this evening that ended with a gingerbread house contest which I planned on eating mine tonight with cheesy holiday flicks and a massage.

“You don’t think I could convenience you?—”

“Three.”

The shadow looming over me moved, and for a second, I thought maybe he would sit down beside me and we could work something out.

Then cold metal wrapped around my wrist and I’ll tell you right now, that is not how I saw this going.

What the fuck?

I jerked upright as Gabriel slapped the second handcuff on my other wrist.

“What are you? A legit bounty hunter now? What a Scrooge!”

He grabbed me around the waist and threw me over his shoulder like I was no larger than a Victoria Secret model.

Ego boost!

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