Page 25 of Billionaire Protector

“You sound like I asked you to quit the force to join the circus,” he teased. “Being friends with me isn’t that hard.”

She wouldn’t know – she’d never tried. However, they did have to work closely, and every argument sabotaged her position. Perhaps it was time to try something different. “You’re right. Everything will go smoother if we get along.” Yet warnings flashed, even as she agreed. She had to ensure the powerful man didn’t take control. “We have to make some rules first.”

He tapped his fingers on the steering wheel, a light staccato set to the melody of road noise. “What type of rules?”

No clothes!her traitorous mind suggested.Bad mind!She cleared her throat. How could she insist on not getting too close without reminding him of just how close they’d been? And how much she wanted to repeat it. “Everything stays professional.”

“Agreed.”

“And no mentioning the past.” She lifted a finger. “If you really want to start fresh, we let go of the old.”

“You mean I can’t mention the time you switched your shampoo with–”

“No!”

He grinned. “Come on. We’ve known each other for over twenty years. There’s no way we can avoid our entire past.”

“All right,” she acquiesced. “Just no mentioning anything negative. Not my issues with the law or our many arguments. And definitely not the time I switched two ridiculously similar bottles of hair products.”

“Anything else I can’t mention?”

He saidanything, but he was talking aboutsomething. He wanted her to bring up the kiss. Well, she wouldn’t, not now, not ever. “I’m sure you know what’s appropriate to bring up with your boss,” she said primly.

“I’m not sure I do,” he said wolfishly. “Maybe we’ll find most of our problems come from miscommunication, after all.”

Could he be right? Miscommunication created a maelstrom of discord and distrust, specifically his misinterpretation of who she really was. Yet the past must remain in the past, for both their sakes.

“Since we’re stuck in the car, how about we start now?” he suggested. “Would you like to go first?”

She’d rather put it off for a decade or two. Yet the sooner they worked though their issues, the sooner she could return to a calm, well-ordered existence. “All right. You have to stop acting like my bodyguard.”

He slid her a sideways glance. “Then you need to stop putting yourself in positions where you need one.” He expertly guided the car past construction. “Besides, when was the last time I did that?”

“Five minutes ago.” She gestured to his luxurious car. “And about a thousand other times. When you ratted me out because I was ten minutes late or dragged me home from a party just because it got a little wild.” She was delving way too far into the past. She needed to keep it current. “Or at Mrs. Carmichael’s house the other day, when you stopped me from going after George.”

His expression darkened. “I think we both agree I did not correctly judge that situation.”

She stifled a smile. “Well, yes, but still. There’s no reason I couldn’t have climbed the tree. I endured rigorous physical training in the police academy. I exercise every single day. Most importantly, I’ve been climbing trees since I was a kid.” She lowered her voice. “I’m not a kid any longer, and you aren’t my protector. You never were.”

Something flashed in his eyes – rebellion, disagreement,challenge. Did he think he was somehow responsible for her? “You need to stop putting yourself in danger.”

She lifted her palms. “I’m the sheriff. It’s literally part of the job description.”

He gripped the wheel tighter. “Just because you’re sheriff doesn’t mean you need to take unnecessary risks. Remember that time Bobby Placo convinced you to help him with homework? If I hadn’t followed you to his house …”

Sarah remembered the incident. Bobby had seemed like a good kid, and since she was always needing help, it felt good to help someone for once. Only homework wasn’t quite what he had in mind. That time, Cole really had saved her – if he hadn’t come when he had, she would’ve lost something very important that night.

She’d never been frightened of Cole, but that night was the closest she’d ever come. Cole had punched Bobby, hard enough to make it hurt, but not enough to cause any real damage. He’dbeen holding back, however, and for just a moment she got a glimpse of what he would’ve done if he’d lost control. Cole told Bobby to never touch her again or he’d be back. He’d then literally picked her up and carried her to his car, driving until they were in front of her house. Then he’d held her while she sobbed for an hour.

That was the day he became her hero.

She pushed away the memory. She was now grown – she didn’t need a hero. “I’m smart enough not to put myself in unnecessary danger and strong enough to get out of it if I do. People are going to talk if you act like you’re the boss. So lay off, okay?”

Cole looked straight ahead… and didn’t respond.

“Cole…”

“I can’t promise not to protect you.” All humor vanished, as his voice turned serious and somber. “If you’re in danger, I’m going to rescue you. If you need backup, I’ll be there. I just can’t help it, not when it comes to you.”

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