Page 20 of When He Protects

“How the hell do you know that?”

“Well, because you’re standing in front of me right now. That means you said yes.” She put her hands on his chest.Wow.Esme swallowed.Ignore that hard strength.“You didn’t storm in here to deny my request. I suspect you just came in here all angry because you’re mad that you were roped into the situation. I get it. I’d be mad, too.”

The furrows in his brow deepened.

“But I wanted the best for my protection.” Who would want the worst? The worst would just get a woman killed.

“How do you knowI’mthe best?”

Because I did research on you long before our paths crossed at Jorlan’s party.Not like she could tell him that bit of news. Not yet. “You took out five men and you didn’t break a sweat. If you’re not the best, then who is?”

His brow smoothed.

The silence stretched a wee bit too long for her. But she didn’t break it. She’d said her part. It was his turn. She waited. Frankly, Esme was curious to see just what intriguing terms he’d have in order to take the job and?—

“You’re marrying me.”

Chapter Five

Her deep,dark eyes blinked at him. A brown so dark that it almost appeared black. But, wait, were those small flecks of gold in her eyes? Yes, if you looked deeply enough, there was gold buried in the darkness. The glaring lights in the interrogation room let him see the gold. It had been too dark at the mansion. All that soft lighting bullshit. But now, he could see clearly.

And he caught the shock that came and went on her face. “You want me to marry you?” Her lush lips pursed. “It’s rather sudden, isn’t it? I mean, I get it. You met me. You fell instantly in love. You want to run away and live happily ever after with me. It happens.”

He shook his head. “No.”

“No to which part? The instant love? The running away? The marrying?”

“It’s afakemarriage.”

“Oh.” Her hands still pressed to his chest. “Well, that’s disappointing.”

What?

“But I suppose it makes more sense.” She licked her lips.

Shit. Do not focus on her mouth. Do not.

“Will that be our glorious cover? Pretending to be man and wife? A fake marriage will certainly explain why you have to stick so closely to me. And why we just can’t keep our hands off each other.”

“I’m not touching you.”

“Alas. You are not. Buzzkill.” Her hands dropped.

And he wished that she was still touching him. Dammit. What was wrong with him? This was not how he operated. Maybe the fact that he hadn’t slept in twenty-four hours? Was that impacting his judgment? Wrecking his control? Maybe he needed to crash so he could think clearly and do the job appropriately. And stop lusting after Esme.

Hewouldcrash, eventually, but now was the time to go over his rules. “Mynon-negotiables.”

“Excusez-moi?”

“I have a list of non-negotiables. Before I agree to the job, you will agree to my terms.”

“Oh.” Her shoulders slumped. “I’d rather thought we were already a done deal.”

Not even close, sweetheart.“You want me on the job? Then you follow my rules.”

A little shiver seemed to dart over her. Tyler immediately frowned. Was it too cold in the room for her? Hell, she didn’t have sleeves on her dress. He didn’t have a coat to give her. Maybe he could go find one. Take it from some Fed who didn’t need the thing.

“You sound all dominating and controlling.” Esme cocked her head to the side. “Do you always have to get your way?”

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