Page 32 of The Female Warrior & The Charming Gentleman

“Have you ever let down your guard with a man?” he asked softly.

Autumn should’ve stopped talking minutes ago, but she heard herself say, “I fell in love once. He dumped me.”

“Idiot,”Jarom muttered.

That made her smile. Charles wasn’t an idiot. He was the smart one who’d gotten away. Jarom would be an idiot to think they had a future. No sane person, but especially not the most desirable man on earth, should want to be in a relationship with someone who had nightmares every night, who kicked the man she cared about. Why wasn’t Jarom pushing her away instead of holding her?

She cuddled into him and closed her eyes. Thankfully he didn’t ask for any more details about Charles or her abusive childhood. He simply held her, and that was exactly what she needed. As she drifted to sleep in his arms, she wondered if she shouldn’t ask him to leave. But she trusted him, and she wanted him close. She consciously chose to let down her guard completely and let a man stay close while she was most vulnerable. Even when she’d been happily in love with Charles she wouldn’t have put herself in this position.

A pounding woke her. Autumn startled and blinked her eyes open. She was lying against Jarom’s chest, wrapped in his beautiful arms as he stretched out on the bed next to her.

Jarom’s blue gaze stared back at her. He gave her an enchanting smile. “Good morning, love.”

All the memories of last night rushed back in. The nightmare. Jarom waking her, telling him far too much, him holding her, choosing to trust him. It had been beautiful, but in the light of day it was terrifying.

What had she been thinking?

“Oh my!” she cried out, sitting straight up in bed and edging away from him instead of punching him in the gut like her normal reaction would be. That was at least a win.

“Autumn!” The door sprung open. Easton stood framed in it. “Are you okay?”

“Fine. I’m fine.” Her shaky voice revealed how unsteady she was.

She slid off the bed and stood to face Easton. Jarom stood next to her. He didn’t touch her. She found herself craving his touch, which she knew was not smart or rational. He’d held her so sweetly last night, stopped her nightmares, and treated her with kindness and respect.

What did she do for him? Sure, she was his bodyguard, but she was paid to do that. She pushed him away at any chance, punched and kicked him. She wasn’t worthy of Jarom in any way. Thinking about Charles last night should remind her how similar the two men were—kind, charming, wealthy, patient, filled with faith. She didn’t fit with either of them.

“Jarom?” Easton looked between them. “That explains where you went.”

Jarom only nodded to Easton. He didn’t explain why he’d slept in Autumn’s bed. He didn’t make excuses. Nothing.

“It’s not like it … looks,” Autumn said quietly. She was more concerned about letting down her guard with Jarom than what this appeared to be. Jarom would think they were developing a relationship, her sharing and allowing him in emotionally like she had. Nothing could be further from the truth. No relationship would work for her, especially not one with a kind, wealthy Christian. “Let’s go work out.”

Both men raised their eyebrows. Easton was obviously disappointed and Jarom seemed disappointed as well.

The workout was quiet and much less fun than yesterday. Easton’s country music was the only sound besides weights clanking.

After their workouts, they went in to shower. Easton stayed to feed his horses and bulls. Autumn wasfar too drawn to Jarom and she had no clue what to do about it. He was obviously interested, but he didn’t understand what he was putting himself into. No famous, billionaire believer from a happy family would be content for long with a woman with her past, her career, or her iron heart.

She checked her texts. Aiden had nothing new. Her instructions were still to keep Jarom safe.

The text from Paul pulled her up short.

Hey. I feel like you should know. I told Jarom that he had more of a chance with you than anyone.

Her stomach pitched and her neck got hot.How dare you?she typed back quickly.

Hey. I know how closed off you are, but this is big brother talking. Give someone a chance.

I’ll never trust you again.

If you fall in love and aren’t miserable and alone your entire life, I will deal with you not trusting me.

Paul.Her hand shook as she typed.You know me better than most, but you don’t know near enough. I will never fall in love.

She shoved her phone back in the pocket, ignoring the ding of a return text. What was happening to her? She had to keep her mask on—flirt, have fun, not get serious about anything. It was the only way to stay safe out in the open. Not hide in that closet in fear of a man finding her vulnerable and destroying her. Yet Jarom had held her through the night. She’d fallen asleep while he was still awake. He hadn’t taken advantage of her in any way.

Gah! She couldn’t focus on any of this. She shoved her emotional attachment to Jarom away.

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