Page 33 of When He Protects

“Fucking perfection, that’s what I mean.” Enough games. Enough playing. They were away from the rest of the world. He rose. So did she. She kinda had to rise fully since he still had his grip on her wrist. “You’re all gloss and glamour.”

Those long lashes flickered once more. “I see.”

“You can drop your act, you know.” He should let her go. He didn’t. His thumb slid along her inner wrist. “There’s no one here to see you but me. You don’t have to pretend to be someone you’re not. Drop the good deed BS. Drop thepretense that you want me. I’m here to protect you. Fucking me will not be necessary in order to get me on the job. I’m already committed to your case.”

She sucked in a breath. And she also yanked her hand away from him. “I have just learned several important things about you.” Her chin tipped up. “You like your coffee black.”

Yeah, he did.

“You have far too many scars on your body.”

Like he could help that shit. “Came from doing the job. When you risk your life, you have to be ready for pain.”

Her delicate jaw hardened. “And you are an absoluteassholefirst thing in the morning. I’ll be sure to remember that.”

“Esme…”

“Here are some things for you to remember about me. What did I learn? Three things about you?” Before he could respond, she bobbed her head in a jerky nod. “Right. Three. So I’ll tell you three things about me.” One index finger shot into the air. “One. I actuallydotry to start my day with a good deed. It’s something that my mom taught me. Do something nice first thing. No matter how small. Because, after all, who wants to be anassholefirst thing in the morning? Oh, right. You do.”

“Esme—”

“Two.” A second finger joined the first. “I don’t have any problem with your scars. Wait. Scratch that. I do. I’m sorry that you were hurt. But they are not a turnoff. Quite the opposite. They show me that you’re strong and that you’re a fighter and that even when you get hurt, you keep going. I find your scars unbelievably sexy.”

He swallowed. “Esme…” Softer now.

“Three.” Not soft at all. A third finger joined the others. “Ionlyfucksomeone because I want to do it. I don’t fuck in order to manipulate or get protection or for any other ridiculous reason that you can suggest. I thought you felt the same heat that flares between us. Ithoughtyou might be someone I could respect. Instead, I see that you’re indeed…an early morning asshole.” Two of her fingers immediately lowered so that only one remained. A very prominent one. “Fuck you,” she said sweetly. Then she snatched up his cup of coffee and marched into the kitchen.

She marched fast, and he shook his head to get out of his stupor as he charged after her. “Esme!”

She dumped the coffee down the drain. Such a profound waste. Then whirled to face him. “I’m sure you can make your own coffee.” Her hands curled around the counter behind her. “Oh, whoops. There is no more coffee in the house. Too bad.”

He stalked forward.

There was no place for her to go.

Her breath heaved in and out. Her eyes gleamed. Fury had brought faint red color to her cheeks.

His hands flew out and clamped on the counter near her body. He caged her there. And all he wanted was to kiss her.

Do. Not.

What got him—whatreally got him—was that he was certain he’d seen actual hurt flare in her eyes. And Tyler didn’t like it when Esme hurt. “I’m sorry,” he rasped.

“Didn’t quite hear that. Want to try again?”

“I’msorry.” Louder. Well, rougher, anyway.

“What, exactly, are you sorry for?”

She was too freaking gorgeous. “For being an early morning asshole.” Having her pissed at him was no way to build trust.

She searched his eyes. Then shook her head. “It won’t work.”

“Excuse me?” Her scent had filled his nostrils. That delicious scent.

“You, pretending to be sorry in order to get back in my good graces so that you can manipulate me. It’s not going to work. I mean, sure, maybe it would work on the women you are used to scamming.”

“Scamming?”

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