Page 71 of Hiding Hollywood

“I’ll be sure to feed Lacy tonight before I get zoned out on taking downSunflower.”

The sexy look in his eyes faded. He brought her to her feet as he stood, his lips set in a thin line of annoyance. “Do you really have to do this job? I just chased down a drug dealer. It wasn’t pretty, Addie.”

The warm fuzzy feeling started to disappear.

“You’re messing with some of the lowest scum on the earth. Seriously. A drug lord? I don’t want you anywhere near them. I can’t protect you if you can’t tell me who you’re targeting.”

She crossed her arms. “I didn’t think I asked you to protect me.” How had their lovely interlude turned into an argument about her job? She’d been riding high on the feelings of love and relief and now, nothing but annoyance and frustration.

“Look,” he began, setting his hands on her shoulders. “You said you were scared for me today. That should make sense why I’d be scared for you.”

No. It didn’t. Not unless he had the same feelings. Not unless he loved her.

But that was impossible. Cameron didn’t love her. She hadn’t anticipated falling for him, but here she was. She wasn’t stupid. His emotions for her wouldn’t come as quick.

“The hearing is in a few days, Cameron. After that, I’ll be gone. You won’t have to worry about it again.”

He crossed his arms and leaned down a little. “That won’t change the fact you’re inviting trouble with each job you take, be it I’m there to see you do it or not. You break at least a dozen laws with each assignment and probably piss off whatever mafia-tied drug lord you’re messing with. I don’t like it.”

“Youdon’t like it? I’m good at my job. The only close call I had was handled. I did a few stupid steps tracking down international bank fraud and not rerouting like I needed to—”

“What if they find you next time? Huh?” He picked up her arm. “How are you going to defend yourself? Run?”

“I’ll get Becky to show me how to shoot her gun. Is that better?”

“Don’t joke around. I’m serious.”

She jerked her arm away from him. “Just stop it! My life continues after I leave here.” No matter what her heart wished could happen, reality was all she had to work with. She’d never believe that being with Cameron was wrong, on any level, but she had to agree with him for once, crossing that line did make it hurt worse.

“You don’t have to go,” he said with a softer voice than before. “You could stay. Change jobs.” His lips tilted up on one side. “Live with me.”

She leaned back, desire and disbelief at war. She might have considered it. If it hadn’t come with the contingency that she had to change from a job she loved. How did he not see this was the same situation that Jennifer had put him in? Addie wasn’t cut out for a nine-to-five like a librarian or teacher. That’s who he wanted her to be.

The perfect little woman with a legal job. Well, she wasn’t. If he really wanted her to stay, he’d want all of her, both sides of “Addie” to stay.

Patting him on the chest, she offered him as best a smile as she could. “You should head back to the station. I don’t want you to be late.”

At least that brush-off had put an irritated look on his face. She couldn’t accuse him of not feeling something for her. Too bad the only way he’d want her in his life wasn’t in a way she could exist.

Addie closedthe door with a quiet click right in his face. Literally and figuratively. Cameron stood in the hallway another minute, staring at the white wooden door. Every instinct told him to break it down and try to make her understand.

And that small voice, the one he didn’t want to pay attention to, not after their night together, told him to live in reality and not in a fantasy world. Addie’s job was illegal, and he should walk away before it hurt worse.

Shit. He rubbed the bridge of his nose. He didn’t want her to go back to California. If she was determined to do this job, at least if he was around, he could protect her. That’s all he wanted to do. Protect.

He didn’t know how to exist otherwise.

He took heavy steps back to the kitchen, his mom humming as she finished unloading the dishwasher. She sounded too happy for his mood so he tried to sneak out without her noticing.

“Your dad called looking for you.”

“Figured.” He paused and wrestled with his conscience. He needed advice on Addie, wanted to know what his mom thought, but he’d have to reveal her secret to get it.

“I told him you were giving your grandma’s bed a little attention and that I’d send you on your way shortly.”

Cameron’s mouth dropped open. Or maybe he didn’t want her advice.

She didn’t pause in putting bowls in the cabinet. “It’s been a while since that four-poster saw any action. I’m sure Grandma would be happy.”

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