Page 99 of Guardian Daddy

“Maybe because you’re sweet and funny and smart? And I enjoy your company and want to spend more time with you.”

“Huh.” She appeared stumped at that. “I’m not sure that anyone has ever enjoyed my company. Other than Rhodes.”

“Baby, you kill me when you say things like that.”

“I don’t want to kill you.” Now she appeared alarmed. “Have you had your heart checked lately? A man of your age can’t be too careful.”

“I go for a check-up regularly. There’s nothing wrong with my heart.”

And he wasn’t that old.

“That’s good.” She studied him intently. “I can’t think of any reason you would lie about being attracted to me.”

“Because there is none.”

“Hmm.”

“You know I’m a man who likes to be in control.”

“Oh, yes. It’s actually, surprisingly, an attractive quality.”

“It is?”

Do not smile.

He didn’t want her to think that he was laughing at her.

“I didn’t think it would be since I don’t really like being told what to do. At least, not by most people. Because most people don’t make decisions I can respect. Rhodes is someone who can give me an order that I’ll follow because I know he’ll always put me first. It’s something he has to work on.”

“Putting you first?” he asked, puzzled.

“Putting himself before me.”

“No,” he countered. “He doesn’t have to work on that. Of course he’s going to put you first. That’s the way it should be.”

“Rhodes does too much for me.”

“There’s no such thing as doing too much for you.”

Her eyebrows rose. “I don’t think that’s true.”

“I know it is. He’s got your best interests at heart. But so do I, baby.”

“I think that’s something I’d have to learn for myself.”

“On our dates,” he said.

“How are you going to date me when you’re guarding my brother?” she asked.

“Hmm. You don’t think he’d come out on a date with us?”

“No, I don’t think he’d enjoy that.”

“Well, I’ll just have to sort something else out, then.”

“All right, then. I will agree to date you. How many dates will you be requiring?”

“Hmm. I’m not sure. Thousands?”

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