Page 33 of Brutal Ice

“You don’t have to walk me up. I’ve got this.”

He smiled. His new partner had so very much to learn.

When she walked away from the car, so did he. A quick press of a button had the top lifting and settling back into place. The lights flashed when he set the alarm.

“Royal?”

“You wanted to be partners.”

She paused in front of his car. “Yes.”

“You wanted to be close to me.” He moved, deliberately coming close to her.

“Yes.” Soft.

“Then I will be close. If we’re setting the scene, if I’m suddenly the hookup you can’t resist, then I will be staying the night with you.”

Her lips parted.

How could she look so innocent and so sexy at the same time? A freaking gift. Or a trick. Maybe both.

“I don’t remember inviting you to stay the night.”

“I invited myself.” He looked away from her. Back at the dark house. “This is your first night here since the abduction. You really want to sleep all by yourself in this place?”

He wondered if she’d lie.

She didn’t.

“No.” Violet cleared her throat.

“I’ll take the couch. I can do good behavior. Sometimes.” His gaze cut back to her.

Only to find her focused on him. “I can’t figure you out.”

That was normal.

“But…yes, you can stay.” She brushed by him.

His soft laughter followed her. And so did he. As he watched her unlock the front door, he had to confess, “I think this is the least excited any woman has ever been to spend the night with me.”

Her head shot up, then whipped toward him.

“Most women are a bit more excited. Just saying.”

“Really not interested in hearing about them.”

Royal considered that statement. “Fair. I sure as shit wouldn’t want to know about the men who’ve spent the night here with you.”

“You’re the first.” She opened the door. The alarm beeped as she rushed over the threshold.

Taking his time, he followed her. He also made sure to shut and lock the door. He approved of the multitude of locks that had been installed. He should approve. After all, while Violet might think she’d been the one to hire the security crew, he’d actually been pulling strings. His people had shown up. They’d put in the system he’d ordered.

Probably not the time for him to mention that, after her attack, he’d purchased the rental from her previous landlord. Something to disclose on another day.

I needed to be able to keep watch on her. Someone had to look after her.

The alarm had stopped beeping. She stood by the control panel with her shoulders slightly hunched.

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