Page 12 of Billionaire Protector

“Is this how you protect the people of Harmony Creek?” Cole hissed, his voice a sharp dagger against the symphony of light breeze and fluttering trees. Sunlight flashed behind him, turning him to pitch darkness against its brilliant silhouette. “You do nothing when people need help?”

Her blood turned to lava. How dare he insinuate she didn’t care. “You have no idea what you’re talking about,” she hissed. “George is–”

“Fine? You may not have noticed, but he’s stuck high in the air. That’s not fine. I don’t care how many times he’s climbed the tree or how agile he is. It wouldn’t matter if he were a monkey – someone needs to scale the tree and get him. Why didn’t you call me, or better yet, the fire department? Someone needs to get him downnow.”

“Fine!” She’d climbed up there just last week, but if it would stop his grumbling, she’d do it again. Only when she took herfirst step, something heated and firm grasped her waist. She gasped as Cole effortlessly brought her back.

And for just a moment, he didn’t let go.

All the air left the world. And really everything else. Just the two of them existed, locked in a battle they’d fought their entire lives. He was steel dominance, towering muscles painting a portrait of pure power. She was feminine power, yet softness as well, as they stood with only a sliver of air between them. Heat flared like a white-hot needle, turning the temperature to boiling. She could close that gap, press flush against every muscle, surrender to the desire blazing inhiseyes. It was all she wanted, and all she couldn’t have.

He suddenly released her, and she stumbled back. Fought for the control he would dare steal.

“I didn’t suggest you climb it yourself.” His voice was firm yet challenging, dilated eyes proving she wasn’t the only one affected by their nearness. “If you got stuck, I’d have someone else to rescue. Calling for help would have been sufficient.”

Fire coursed through her. “You’re angry I didn’t take action, but I’m not allowed to actually do anything myself. As sheriff, it’s my job tocallfor help?”

“When it’s something better left for–” he halted, but it was too late. The implication was clear.

She folded her arms across her chest. “When it’s something better left for an alpha male like you?”

Wait, what?

Had she just called him an alpha male?

As in a powerful, control-seizing man who took what and who he wanted?

By the expression of the smug alpha male before her, she had indeed. No doubt, he wouldn’t let this go until the end of time. Maybe not even then.

She couldn’t decide whether to kiss him or arrest him. Maybe both. Now she spoke lowly so Ms. Carmichael wouldn’t hear, “You haven’t changed a bit, Cole Carter. You’re still the same judgmental ass you were in high school, always assuming the worst and never letting me explain. Since I’m too inept to do my job, why don’t you retrieve little George?”

“That’s exactly what I’m going to do,” he retorted.

Mrs. Carmichael clapped her hands in delight. “Wonderful! I’m sure George will come straight to you.”

Cole strode to the tree and put his foot on a thick branch. Grabbing a large limb, he smoothly hoisted himself up, then stepped onto a slightly thinner branch. The limbs grew narrower and narrower as he ascended, creaking precipitously with every step. Sarah frowned. She’d wanted to teach him a lesson, not get him hurt. “Listen, don’t climb up there. You don’t understand.”

“I understand you’d let a kid stay up there for hours without calling for help. I understand you’d rather get back at me than let me help. Don’t worry about me. Ten years in the military more than prepared me to climb a tree. At least I’m willing to do my job.”

He didn’t think she was doing her job? “Fine!” She stomped back to the sidewalk as he climbed higher and higher, bracing one branch after the next. He made it look as easy as climbing a jungle gym, all steel and muscle under his well-fitted uniform. And suddenly something far more dangerous than anger emerged.

Desire.

It hit suddenly and it hit strong, as identifiable as the scent of Mrs. Carmichael’s lilies. Desire for this powerful man, primitive and basic and completely out of her control. Of course, he was operating on a major lack of information, trying to be heroic. He’d even sought to protect her – too much – as he’d done since they were children.

She fought for strength, gripped it with everything she had. This was ridiculous. She refused to find the ultra-hot, super muscular Cole Carter either ultra-hot or super muscular, and that was final.

Her nemesis reached the top of the tree, next to where George lurked unseen, based on the rustling of the branches. Cole reached for the leaves when suddenly he stopped. A second passed, and then another and another, but he remained unmoving.

A full minute passed. “What’s he doing?” Mrs. Carmichael whispered.

Sarah frowned. “I don’t know. Cole?” she called up.

He didn’t respond.

Worry gnawed at her, but she pushed it away. Surely it was nothing. Maybe he saw George though the trees and realized his mistake. Perhaps he was fooling around, trying to unnerve her. Then he moved, giving her a glimpse of his expression and demolishing her theories at the same time.

Pure terror.

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