Page 17 of Protecting Little Phoebe

“Maybe we should change the conversation. So, come here often?” She wriggled her eyebrows at him.

“Not often, no.”

“Hmm. Are you from Tennessee? Because you’re the only ten I see.”

He groaned. “That was terrible.”

“It was? Let me try harder. Did you just come out of the oven because you’re smoking hot.”

This time, he laughed.

Mission accomplished.

Barren couldn’t believe that he’d such a good time tonight. They were so far apart in age that they shouldn’t have had much in common. But it was surprising how easy the conversation had gone.

And as he walked her back to her room, he found himself reluctant to say goodbye. They reached her door and he leaned against the wall, staring down at her. “I had a really good evening, Phoebe.”

She licked her lips, most of her lipstick had disappeared over the course of the evening. Reaching out, he brushed some of her hair off her cheek. Her skin was so smooth. He swallowed heavily.

It wasn’t right to be attracted to her. But it was hard not to be. She was gorgeous, funny, sweet. She was the first person he’d been attracted to since Krystal. Which was hard to get his head around and, at the same time, a relief. Because he never thought he’d be attracted to someone else.

He leaned in. “Phoebe, I need to?—”

Bang!

A door slammed down the corridor and he stepped back. Shit! Had he been about to kiss her.

“What is it?” she asked. “Is something wrong?”

He cleared his throat. “No, sweetheart. I just wanted to wish you good night and to tell you to have a good time here. You’ve got my phone number if you need it.” They’d exchanged phone numbers earlier. “I hope you find what you’re looking for.” Turning, he strode off, ignoring the urge to turn around and kiss her. To see if she tasted as good as she looked.

It’s better this way.

He hoped.

CHAPTER 6

Barren paced back and forth across his office in irritation. Why wasn’t she answering her phone? He’d sent her several text messages. And had nothing back in reply. Last night he’d given in and called her. It had gone straight to voicemail.

Was it him? Was she ignoring his messages and calls? He’d gotten her number so he could check in with her and to make sure that everything went okay with her pickup. He’d had to force himself not to message her for at least forty-eight hours. So he didn’t seem like a stalker.

But she was always on his mind. He was worried that someone might take advantage of her happy, sweet nature. That she might find herself doing something she didn’t want to do because no one was watching out for her. Then he reminded herself that Rawhide was the safest place for her….

Well, other than by your side.

“Not your girl,” he told himself. His phone rang and he fumbled as he tried to answer it. He was like a damn teenager with a crush. It was ridiculous.

“Hello?”

“Barren, it’s Eliot.”

“Oh.”

There was a beat of silence. “Sorry, were you expecting someone else?” There was a hint of amusement in Eliot’s voice.

“Ah, yeah. Sorry.”

“Really? Who were you expecting to call?”

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