Page 70 of Sheltered by the Lawman

His heart opened wide. He was falling for this mysterious woman. He knew so little about her and yet he knew everything he needed to know. He looked at her and felt like he’d found a place where he belonged.

His cell vibrated from the nightstand and he reached for it. Kiersten had left him a message. “There’s someone here who you should see.”

Cull laid his head back into the pillow. He didn’t want to go. Right here next to Monica was where he wanted to stay. He was getting comfortable again when his cell buzzed for a second time. Reading the screen, it read, “Get your butt over here now or I’ll come and drag you out!”

Kiersten meant business.

With a silent curse, he carefully slid from the cocoon of the bed. She looked so at peace laying there. Her hair spread over the pillow, her hands tucked under her cheek and laying with her knees tucked up to her chest. With the risk of waking her, he kissed her cheek and soothed her hair from her face.

She stirred and her eyes fluttered open. “What’s wrong? Where are you going?” she asked in a sleep husky voice.

“I’ll be back. Kiersten needs me. Stay and sleep, sweetheart.” He kissed her, this time on the lips. It took every ounce of restraint he had not to crawl back into bed with her and give her another round of pleasure. However, he knew it wouldn’t be long before Kiersten came pounding on the door and that was the last thing he wanted or needed.

Groaning, he dressed and gave Monica one last glance before he stepped out of the room and out of the apartment. The night air was cool after coming from the warmth of the bed. He walked to the main house, stomped his feet on the welcome rug before stepping in, bellowing, “This better be damn good…”

“Cull, this is Burke Combs,” Kiersten said. Her eyes were wide and she looked uneasy.

Cull brought his gaze into the living room where a stranger sat on the couch. “Do I know you?”

The man stood, then swiped a hand down his clean jaw. His hair was perfectly styled and he wore an expensive suit, “No, but you know Sally.”

Blinking, Cull stepped deeper into the room and chuckled. “Sally? I’m afraid you’ll have to catch me up to speed here—”

“Monica. Cull, he’s talking about Monica. That’s her name. Sally Holloway,” Kiersten said calmly from behind him.

Cull’s stomach dropped into his boots. Oh shit! Now he wished he’d stayed in bed.

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