Page 54 of Billionaire Protector

“No, really! He’s kidding. We were on assignment. I was pretending to be a prostitute–” She stopped.

“A prostitute?” one of the little girls said.

“What’s a prostitute?” the other little girl said.

“You’re a prostitute?” the minister’s grandmother said.

Before Sarah said something inappropriate, illegal or which would have her run out of town wearing a scarlet letter, Mrs. Carmichael jumped in. “Nothing girls. I think we all know what’s going on here.” She gave Cole and Sarah a meaningful look.

“Know? What? No, you have the wrong idea!” Sarah beseeched Cole, but conveniently for him, he seemed to have become mute in the last thirty seconds.

“Of course, we do, dear.” Mrs. Carmichael patted her arm. “Anyways, now that you’re back early from your… assignment… you can partake in the writers’ club. You’re just in time.”

“The writers’ club?” Cole finally spoke, his muteness obviously a transient condition. “I didn’t know Sarah was a writer.”

“She is, and she submitted a very interesting selection for us to critique today. We were disappointed she had to cancel and are so glad she finished her–” She winked at Cole. “Assignment. So come on in.”

“Oh no. We couldn’t possibly.” Now she felt like the bunny, trying to convince the werewolves she didn’t taste good on a toasted bun with tomatoes and pickles. “I’m sure Cole has something to do.”

“No I don’t.”

“Business?”

“Nope.”

“Errands?”

“Not a one.”

“I wouldn’t want to impose.”

“I’d love to stay.”

“But… but…” She searched for help, but there wasn’t a werewolf in sight. She was officially doomed. She slumped back in the seat. “Fine.”

“And just in time.” Cole smiled as he started the car. He rolled forward and turned into the parking lot behind the restaurant. “There’s a car behind us.”

Sarah looked back and sure enough, there was her car in shining armor – ten seconds too late. She growled. “How convenient you forgot we were on assignment together. Aren’t you worried I’ll retaliate?”

“I’ll take my chances.” Cole grinned, gliding smoothly into a parking spot. “Although you looked like you wanted to throw me into a volcano back there.”

“Actually, I was going to turn you into a rabbit during a werewolf buffet.”

“You know how to do that?”

“I’m still working on the logistics.”

He laughed and put the car into park. They disembarked, but instead of heading toward the building, he opened his trunk and pulled out an oversized t-shirt with the wordsMarinesemblazoned on it. “Would you like this?”

“Oh, yes.” With a grateful nod, Sarah reached for it, but instead he lifted it over her head. The soft jersey fabric covered her entire torso, caressing her thighs and reaching to her knees. He stood back, and suddenly the humor vanished. She wrapped her arms around herself. “What?”

“You look...” He reached out to touch her cheek, stopped. “You look lovely.” His gaze turned downward. “I nearly flipped when I saw you next to those men. And I barely kept control when they suggested sharing you. The thought of something happening to you...” He shook his head, emotion blazing in fierce eyes. “I’m just glad I was there.”

This was dangerous, far more than the joking and the sarcasm and the arguing. But she couldn’t stop herself from admitting the truth. “I’m glad you were there, too. When backup didn’t arrive, you made a difference between success and tragedy. I should’ve said this before, but I truly appreciate it. Thank you.”

His smile was kind, with a million messages she couldn’t decipher. “Anytime, kiddo.”

“Are you guys going to whisper sweet nothings all day or come in?” Mrs. Carmichael shouted. “You’re welcome to do it in front of us. Maybe we can give you pointers.”

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