Page 16 of Shattered

He shrugged his shoulders, dipping his stunning green eyes to mine. The way he stared at me made heat bloom across my cheeks, matching the flames of desire which had suddenly taken up residence in my lady bits.

“They’re protectors—guardians, actually—who are extraordinarily beautiful. You fit thebill to a T.”

Oh hell.

This man was dangerous and I didn’t mean because he carried a gun on his hip. He had the potential to either destroy me or save me, and at the moment, I wasn’t sure which one scared me more.

“I edit books for romance authors.”

Gasping, I slapped a hand over my mouth, as if the act itself would prevent any other words from slipping through my lips. Why on earth I had chosen this very second to reveal one of the skeletons in my closet was a question for another day. Along with what was so special about Koen Banks that made me want to drop to my knees and confess every one of my sins at his feet? I knew the answers, I just didn’t want to get my hopes up, only to be let down spectacularly. Story of my life.

“Really? How did I not know this?”

“It’s not like I go around advertising it. Henley and Lanie are the only people I’ve told besides Jett.”

“When you say romance books…how spicy are we talking here?” He raised his eyebrows; a gigantic smile creeping across his face.

Again, I blushed as my eyes drifted shut.

“Never mind. Your reaction says it all.” He sobered.

“So you’re working two jobs in order to support yourself and Jett?”

I nodded, utterly embarrassed. “My grandmother left me the house when she died. It’s paid off so there’s no mortgage, but it desperately needs an overhaul. I’ve been doing most of the work myself to save money, though it’s taking a lot longer than I expected it would.”

“I’ll help you.”

“You don’t?—”

“Let me look after you for once. You’ve spent yourentire life catering to others. It’s someone else’s turn to help carry your burdens.”

He left soon after, his hungry gaze lingering as he walked backward down the sidewalk to his car. It was his last words though, spoken against my ear like a whisper on the wind, which took up residence in my heart.

“I really, really want to kiss you right now, but I’d like to wait until we say ‘I do’ for all our firsts to begin.”

Talk about soaking your panties. I needed a shower and an extended session with my trusty vibrator, Bic, more than my next breath. Unfortunately, when I turned to go back inside, Jett was sitting near the bottom of the stairs.

“There’s a couple slices of pizza in the fridge with your name on them.” I plodded up the first three steps, turned, then wedged myself next to him.

“Thanks, but I’m not hungry,” he mumbled.

“Are you hanging out with Nelson tomorrow after school?”

“Yup.”

“Do you think you could string together more than one-word answers?

“Maybe.” He smiled smugly.

“Little shit.” I nudged him with my shoulder.

“How come you get to cuss freely, yet when I let one accidentally fly, you threaten to ground me?”

“First of all, you rarely do anything accidentally, Jett. Second, I’m the only adult in this equation.”

“Only for two more years.”

“Two years and twelve days, thank you very much.Speaking of, what do you want for your sixteenth birthday?”

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