Page 27 of Never Say Yes To A Stranger

Not that Beau is much better.

ButAiden.

He makes all the good Aidens in the world look bad.

“It would have been like fighting a ghost.” I’m trying to find the right things to say. Normally, I’m good at it. I can take a very upset client and calm them down in no time. “He intimidated you and scared you. Hedidstalk you. He broke into your place and made you feel unsafe. That is not okay. I don’t believe in fate or destiny, but when I messed up my age on the website—when I even went on the websiteatall—I started a chain of events that brought me into your life, and all of it might have been random, but I see the reason now. I’mgoingto give it a reason. You’re going tomove in with meso I can ensure your safety while my team gets this figured out.”

Her head cranks up, and I hear her vertebra groan at the sudden movement. I’ve just said the wrong thing. The wrongest of wrong things. She’s instantly back to being ultra-panicked. “What the…what?”

I don’t even know why I put that out there. I don’t want to share my space with another person, which is precisely why I don’t. Move in with me? Of all the foolish, imbecilic things to put out there. Good fucking gravy.

“For the love of cheesy toes, I amnotdoing that,” she exclaims, smacking the table for good measure.Wham!

Time for some levity. I’ve gone way too far. I’m still reeling, too, although I hope my usual dead face is good at covering for me. Because right now is not the time to catch feelings. I mean, have emotions, show emotions. Whatever. Same difference.

“What are cheesy toes?”

She shudders. “I don’t—I…never mind. I don’t think anyone loves those. I should have said for the hate of cheesy toes.”

“Like athlete’s foot,” I quip.

“Something like that.”

“I can’t say I’ve ever met anyone whodoesenjoy that.”

Then, all of a sudden, she gets serious. Our minute of levity is going to last just that. A minute. I don’t like this new weightthat’s settled onto Ignacia’s shoulders. She’s still beautiful, but it’s so clear someone has reached inside her and stolen her light.

That light-stealing, identity-stealing, fucking Aidenfucker.

A giant crab cracker. That’s what I need to break the guy in half.

I should have unleashed Ignacia’s crawfish. I’m sure Ol’ Snappy Claws, or whatever his name is, would have enjoyed latching onto Aiden’s genitals and hanging out.

Shudder. This is all just to keep my own brain occupied, so I don’t do or say the wrong thing right now, not when it truly counts that I don’t do exactly that.

Frowning, she murmurs, “Move in with you? No. I don’t even know where you live. Also, what about the cats?”

“Your safety was compromised. You fled from your own life because of this creep, and now he knows where you are. He stole so much from you. And you’re worried about thecats?”

She gets an ounce of sass back, and color floods her cheeks. At this point, thank fucking god for that. I was so worried. Yes,me. The guy who doesn’t get worried. The guy who doesn’t feel anything. The guy who is really good at managing what little emotions he does have. As a rule, I don’t get angry either.

However, my rules are all shot to shit because I’m still livid.

I think I might even be angrier than Ignacia is.

“I made a commitment to them,” she says. “When I bought this place. I might not have known they came with it, but they were here before I was, and they deserve to be taken care of. They might be great hunters and enjoy their life outdoors and not want to be indoor-kept pets, but it doesn’t mean I don’t worry about them or love them. They’re affectionate, and they love me back. I provide food for them twice a day.”

“Okay.” I have the sudden inspiration that I need to be gentle with her right now. I need to see her points as valid because they’re important to her. I need to make her feel heard. Andthen, I need to bring down the hammer and get her to accept my idea. There is no way she can say no to this. “Okay, I can ask one of the neighbors to look in on them. I’m sure someone will do it for the right amount of money.”

She bites down on her bottom lip and looks out the window. “Still no.”

Alright, I tried to be gentle. I tried. “Then I’m moving in here,” I state.

“No!” she exclaims. Now I have her full attention. Her full stubbornness, too. I can see it creeping up, flushing her neck, and moving in as her eyes get harder and her jaw sets in place. She looks utterly determined not to share this space with me.

If I were the kind of person who got offended, then I might be. It’s not like I have the plague or anything. And it’s not like I’m Aiden. Maybe it’s just because I haven’t properly spelled this out for her.

“In my other life, I’m basically a bodyguard, although I hate that word. I’m a Personal Protection Officer. You need to hire me.”

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