Page 41 of Billionaire Protector

Boom.

Flames crackled a scorched firescape, combustible timber sending caustic heat like a sauna from hell. The world was alive with sparks, flame and heat, spreading in all directions in anunearthly glow. The hissing sparks gifted him the advantage, as hesmiled, then pivoted and fled. She lunged to follow, but a moment later, stilled.

She had an instant to make a life-changing decision and took the only possible choice. Instead of following him, she ran to a fire extinguisher and spent precious minutes putting out the fire before it spread to the nearby buildings, in a battle she wasn’t sure she would win. In truth, the fire more burned itself out than surrendered to her efforts, yet at least the danger was vanquished. By the time she threw the empty canister on the ground, the culprit was gone, leaving only the memory of a tall figure clad in black from head to toe, with no clue as to his identity.

She remained alone by the weeping timber. The smoke burned her throat, turning her lungs to sandpaper. Her skin prickled with heat, with a sallow redness to accompany the ringing in her ears. She stayed far enough to avoid any true injury and, thankfully, no one else was there to be hurt. No doubt the arsonist planned the attack with easy escape in mind. Of course, he hadn’t expected her.

She took a step, yet a strange tingling on the back of her neck alerted her to a new visitor. She pivoted to see Cole standing still as a paused movie frame, gazing straight at her, or more accurately, through her. Discomfort slammed into her, stealing the breath already ragged from her fiery work. It was just like the incident in the tree. “Cole?” she called.

He didn’t answer.

Suddenly his expression changed. He looked straight into her eyes, and his own hardened. He was out of the trance, back to the overprotective man from her past and present. She involuntarily stepped back. “Cole, listen…”

“Get away from there!” At a speed that should’ve been impossible, Cole raced to her, grasped her shoulders, spun her tohim. She coughed as he pulled her away from the burnt timber, away from the soot and the ashes and the smoke. He didn’t let her go until they were beyond the remnants’ reach, but even then, he didn’t fully release her. He felt her down, searching for injuries. She batted him away, but he didn’t seem to notice. Finally, relief softened taut features. “You’re all right.”

Do not react to his touches. Do not give in to the sensations. Do not let this man take control.He already wielded far too much power as he ignited heat of an entirely different type. She inhaled an improbable tangle of lingering smoke and heady desire. “I’m fine. You need to stop now. I’m feeling–”

“You’re feeling what?” He edged closer. “What hurts? Should I call for an ambulance?”

An ambulance wasn’t going to fix how she felt. “Nothing hurts, and nothing’s wrong, but there might be if you don’t stop touching me.” She winced at the far too revealing truth, an admission of what this man did to her. Physically, she was well. Mentally and emotionally, she was anything but.

He stepped back without letting go, regarding her with intelligent eyes. As understanding dawned, concern diminished, at least somewhat. Finally, she’d convinced him.

Unfortunately, she’d also admitted exactly what his touches did to her.

Hopefully, the darkness would hide the flush that undoubtedly covered every inch. “I mean it. I’m filthy, but fine.” She moved all her limbs to demonstrate.

Finally, he released her, but he didn’t go far. She rubbed her arms against the chill that emerged after he left, despite the closeness of the smoldering remains. “I didn’t actually touch the fire, and I was careful enough to stay out of the smoke’s path. The only reason I’m so dirty is because there was nowhere for the soot to go in the narrow space.”

He hardened at the sight of the shed behind her. Although it still smoldered, it was clearly out. “What happened?” His tone was even, his face expressionless, but she knew him well enough to realize it was a facade. Once the immediate concern was over, the suspicion would come. A singular question burned:

Did he believe she was the arsonist?

In the past, she would’ve led with a denial, hope he would somehow realize matters weren’t as they appeared. No more. If he wanted to accuse her of something, she would fight back. “I saw a man from the bathroom window carrying a lit torch.”

“A man?” Cole pivoted, assessing the surroundings. Even that little admission was surprising. So he actually believed her, at least enough to investigate. “Where is he?”

“He’s gone,” Sarah admitted. “Once he set the shed on fire, I couldn’t leave. It’s lucky we increased the amount of fire extinguishers since the fires began. I found one just over there.”

Anger flashed in his eyes, underscored by raw emotion. Yet instead of commenting on how she’d let the culprit get away, he had a far different question. “You saw a man carrying a lit torch and raced after him? Why didn’t you call for backup? I was twenty feet away.”

She hesitated. He was right. She should’ve called him the minute she saw the arsonist. Then maybe the criminal wouldn’t have gotten away. She was just accustomed to doing things on her own. “To be honest, I didn’t think of it. I was so focused on reaching him I forgot you were there.”

A muscle ticked in his jaw. “So you raced after a dangerous arsonist by yourself, with no thought as to the consequences?”

He had no right to lecture her. “As sheriff, I’m allowed to chase criminals by myself. I was just doing my job.”

“You may be sheriff, but you don’t run the entire police department by yourself,” he argued. “Next time, call for help.”

She looked upward. “As your boss, it’s my right and privilege to give orders, not the other way around. We’re not kids anymore, Cole, with you the son of the sheriff and me the daughter of the–” Bitter memories stole her breath, halting the words and tripping her heart.Breathe. Focus.“Like I said, we’re adults now. Risks are part of the job.”

“But there’s no reason to take unnecessary ones.” He pulled up his sleeves. “After a decade in the military, I understand the chain of command. But when I saw you there…” He paused, shook his head. “In the field, we looked out for each other, and sometimes it didn’t matter who was in charge. I had my soldiers’ backs, and they had mine.” Darkness flashed, vanishing an eyeblink later.

She softened. In their line of work, you had to listen to others, no matter where you ranked. It’s what made the cohesive force that safeguarded everyone. “You’re right.” If he was going to be honest, so could she. “I should’ve asked for help.”

He acknowledged her words with a nod, took a step closer. “Believe me, I know we’re not kids anymore. You’re definitely all grown up.”

The words emerged low and deep, and suddenly they took on a whole new meaning. He took another step toward her, and heat flared anew. She had to say something to break whatever spell he was weaving. “You’re grown up, too.”

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