Page 30 of When He Protects

Her new home sweet home.

“I’ll get the bags,” Tyler said from right behind her. She hadn’t heard him leave the SUV, so Esme gave a little jump. And not like she wanted him takingherbag, so she rushed to snag it herself.

He followed her as she cautiously made her way up the steps in front of the house. They creaked beneath her feet. Spooky. She could have sworn that the wind was even howling as she crept toward the front door.

Tyler dropped his bag on the porch. She was pretty sure that dust shot into the air around them when it dropped. He pulled out a key and opened the door a moment later. His hand waved. “Ladies first.”

She didn’t go first. She did look around. There was another house—she could see the dim light from it—about fifty yards away. A neighbor. “People can always be watching.” Even when you thought you were safe and alone.

“What? Uh, no, no one is watching.”

Esme still did not advance. Her right foot tapped. “I think you’re supposed to carry me over the threshold.”

She caught his curse. Esme bit back a smile.

“You like messing with me, don’t you?” Tyler suddenly accused.

To be honest, it was one of the few things bringing her joy at the moment.

“If you’re not strong enough to carry me, it’s okay,” she assured him in a placating tone. “I’ll just tell any neighbors who ask that you threw out your back a few days ago. Because of that, we now have to be careful with strenuous activities when it comes to you—” The last bit ended on a gasp because he’d swung her into his arms.

Yes, please.This was what she’d wanted.

He held her easily. And, oh, indeed, it was hot. Sexy. Because Tyler strode across the threshold as if carrying her was no problem whatsoever. As if her weight didn’t matter at all. She could feel his strength all around her. She dropped her bag as soon as they swept inside, and her arm looped around his neck. He was walking forward into the dark with her held tenderly in his arms, and her head tipped back.

This man was so very different from the people who usually inhabited her world. He was the hero. The good guy. Who would have thought that the good guy would make her want to do so many very bad things?

Tyler’s head had turned toward her. And, granted, it was dark, but she was pretty sure his eyes were on her mouth. Her eyes were definitely on his mouth. And her fingers might just be applying the smallest amount of pressure on the back of his neck in order to get him to bend his head so that those slightly cruel— but ever so sexy—lips of his would press to hers.

Come on. Come on. Just a little closer.

Their lips were so close that she could almost taste him.Spicy.Because lust was, indeed, spicy and rich and somehow decadent all at the same time. At least, with Tyler, it was.

Her mouth parted?—

And he dropped her.

She bounced when she hit the couch. A couch that had been covered by a giant, white cloth.

“Welcome home, wife.” He swung away and turned on the lights.

The bright illumination had her flinching. “Thanks so much, husband.”

“The bedrooms are upstairs. One for you, and one for me. You can take your pick first. I want to check the perimeter.” He didn’t even look back at her as he marched out of the room.

So much for having a romantic moment. How many times did a woman have to make a move before she got tired of rejection? Fine. She could take a hint.

Or a giant, flashing sign that said the man wasn’t interested.

Esme climbed off the cloth-covered couch. She swept a glance around the den, then went to collect her bag. At the foot of the stairs, she paused just a moment.

Then she began to climb. One step at a time.

I want her mouth.

Tyler stalked around the perimeter of the house. All of the security cameras were in place. Fully functional. He’d engaged the system moments before—right after he’d basically run out of the home in order to get away from Esme.

Or rather, in order to get away so he didn’t do all the things he wanted to do with Esme.

---