Page 29 of The Rebel King

“I don’t give a damn if O is announcing he’s going to the moon. Kimba and your team have everything under control. Don’t rush it.”

“Are you presuming to tell me when I should go back to work?” My tone is light, but he needs to know. I love him, but he won’t run my life.

He sighs and rolls his eyes up to the light fixture suspended over my dining-room table. “I would never presume, but can I be concerned?”

He leans down to cup my cheek and locks our gazes together. “I just don’t want you feeling pressure.”

The stiffness gathering in my neck eases at the love in his eyes. “Thank you, but you have to trust me to know what I need, and I need to work. I won’t break.”

He nods slowly, searching my face before straightening. “Well, I have to go meet Peggy, but I’ll be back. I can work from here.”

“Work from your office. It’s fine. I think I’m going for a run and might swing by my office just to pick up a few things and check in.”

He stiffens. “What time? When?”

“Maxim, really?” I laugh and take a sip of my juice. “I’ll be fine.”

“One of the guys will go with you,” he says, an expression I can’t quite place crossing his face.

“One of what guys?” I ask.

“Oh, you mean the battalion stationed outside the door? In the hall?” Mena asks, her tone dry. “Or the one in the lobby?”

“Battalion?” I look from my auntie to my boyfriend. “What’s she talking about, Doc? And what guys?”

“Just a precautionary measure,” he says. “I’ve assigned you a security detail.”

“A what?” My back goes straight and rigid. “The kidnapping was specific to that country, to those circumstances, and was about Wallace and the vaccine. It had nothing to do with me. Don’t generalize the danger. I’ve never needed security, and I still don’t.”

His full lips tighten, but he doesn’t speak for a moment. “This is a broader conversation we should have tonight when I get home.”

My heart contracts when he refers to my apartment as home. I melt at the thought of us sharing a home together, but I set my mouth and my will, too.

“I may go for a run a little later,” I say through stiff lips, “and I do not want to be followed. Am I clear on that, Maxim?”

He glances at that insanely expensive Richard Mille watch on his wrist. “I need to go. We’ll discuss it later.”

His tight expression loosens, and he offers Mena a natural smile, charm oozing from every pore. “Goodbye, Mrs. Nighthorse.”

“Please call me Mena. I think we’ll be seeing quite a bit of each other.”

“I’m sure,” he replies, flicking his glance back to me.

“I’ll walk you out.” I stand and follow him around the corner to the small foyer of my apartment. He leans against the front door and pulls me into him, dipping his head to delve into my mouth without speaking. The tension that had crept up between us drains away, and I return every thrust of his tongue, groaning into the kiss. He slideshis hands down my back and over my ass, smoothing the silk of the pajamas over my skin.

“I love these on you,” he says. “Almost as much as I love them off. Wear them again for me tonight?”

I nod, settling my feet back down to the floor. “You have plans for tonight?”

“You. You’re my only plans.” A frown usurps his smile. “When are you talking to your therapist?”

“Doc, please don’t fuss over me.”

“I almostlostyou, dammit,” he says, tightening his hands at my hips. “Don’t tell me not to worry about your safety, about your well-being, aboutyoubecause that shit’s not gonna fly. I don’t want to infringe on your independence, but I’m also not letting a damn thing happen to you. Am I making myself clear on this?”

“Let me makemyselfclear,” I fire back, stepping out of his arms and putting my hands where his were on my hips. “I’m responsible for my safety and well-being. Thank you for rescuing me from a lunatic who had a mind to kill me, but we’re home now. And I don’t need someone to caretake my life or to monitor my comings and goings.”

He blows out an exasperated breath, disrupting his hair when he runs a hand through it. “I have to go, and Mena’s waiting for you. I want you to have time with her. We’ll discuss this tonight, okay?”

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