Page 8 of The Female Warrior & The Charming Gentleman

He was stunned by her vehement response.

“Not a possibility,” she said. “Please don’t ask that again.”

He wasn’t certain what to say. How could they draw out or take down Benjamin if they hid from him? “So we’re going to hide in Kalispell … Montana, right?”

“Yes.” Her grip loosened on the steering wheel. “There’s a large and remote family ranch next to the mountains that has helped with various protection details. You’ll be safe, but you can’t be posting about it on social media.”

“I don’t post anything on social media.”

“Yes, you do.”

Jarom felt his smile widen. She obviously followed his accounts. “I don’t post anything,” he reiterated. “My social media team posts plenty.”

“Oh. I see.”

The road turned into a larger highway. She took 82 North toward the airport his Cessna jet was at.

“You follow me on social media?” he asked.

“You were almost exploded into bits and pieces tonight. The most dangerous scum on every most wanted list is after you. Is me following you really what you’re focused on right now?” She sounded exasperated. He loved her flirtations, but it was rewarding to know he was getting under her skin.

“Yes, my love. Focusing on your beauty and intrigue and why you are closed off from ever having a relationship is helping me immensely right now. Bless you for helping me not to think about a nefarious criminal wanting me dead, one of my ‘loyal’ guards betraying and almost killing me, and you making me run away instead of face them and fight.”

She swallowed and nodded but didn’t say anything. He didn’t goad her further about social media. She’d all but admitted to following his accounts. He had more important things he wanted to know. “I was teasing you earlier, and I know Aiden wasn’t intoning that I am your boyfriend. Is this blessed man among men located in Kalispell, Montana?”

“Coleville, actually. It’s an hour north of Kalispell.”

“Oh.” He deflated. She was admitting to having a boyfriend. That was unfortunate, and they were driving toward this lucky man.

Silence reigned until he couldn’t stand it. “How serious of aboyfriend is this?”

“Jarom,” she shot at him in exasperation. “Please let me focus.”

“On driving on a quiet highway?”

She pushed out a heavy breath.

“If it’sseriousserious, I need to know, love. I don’t want to be flirting with some cowboy’s girlfriend. Handsome and engaging men like myself lose teeth that way.”

She eyeballed him with one raised eyebrow.

“I know I look like I can take down any threat, but I’m never the guy to throw the first punch. And it only takes one pop in the mouth to mess this up.” He waved a hand to his face.

“I won’t let anyone mess that face up,” she said, her voice intense.

He grinned, loving that response. “I knew you were my angel protector.”

“Not an angel,” she bit out.

“The face of an angel,” he insisted. When she glowered at him, he said, “So, back to the boyfriend.”

“It’s not that serious, okay?” she exploded at him. “I’ve only met him in person once.”

He relaxed into the seat again. Mission accomplished. “I see. So you’re not actually dating?”

“No. Aiden likes to tease me and try to get my goat.”

“I can’t for the life of me imagine why. You’re absolutely no fun to tease. Such a drab, quiet sort of girl.”

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