Page 83 of The Protégé

He walked up to me. “You’ve been ignoring me.”

“I’m not,” I lied. “Just busy working.”

“Can we talk?” He eyed me.

“Go ahead.” I crossed my arms, irritation mounting inside me. “I’m listening.”

“Not here.”

I inhaled a breath. “Fine. Then you can follow me home.”

When I arrived home, I stalked into the house, and he was right behind me.

“Make yourself at home,” I said. “I need a shower.”

“Take your time. You seem to need it.”

I scoffed. “What does that mean?”

He shrugged, looking innocent. “That you need a shower to cool off. Water is healing. You’ve been running around delivering food and running tables. I’m sure you want to wash the day’s stress off, right?”

Jealousy of Chantel and of his ex swarmed my thoughts, and frustration clouded my judgment.

A small smile crept onto his lips. “Are you okay? You’re not acting like yourself.”

I locked the door to my bedroom because somehow that act created the space I needed from Orion. Leaning against the door, I closed my eyes, taking in a deep breath. When I exhaled, I imagined the frustration leaving my body. Then I opened my eyes and pushed myself off the door, thinking about the compelling man overwhelming me.

He was a thief. A thrill skipped along my body. Why did I find that attractive? What was wrong with me?

I was a reporter who tried her best to stay on the right side of the law. But my body betrayed me when he was around.

Stripping off my clothes, I walked into the bathroom, turned on the shower, and hopped in. I lifted my face to the cool water, letting it beat against my face. The frustration subsided.

I needed answers tonight. It was the only way for me to further my investigation. Someone had killed The Condor, and that meant someone could be after Orion too. He had to know this. What was he doing about it?

Was he prepared? I didn’t know why this overwhelming need to make sure he was safe seized me. He’d made me feel safe, and I wanted the same for him.

But jealousy was making everything worse. As I toweled off and lathered lotion onto my skin, mischief sneaked into my thoughts.

Lingerie.

Seduce him.

Have fun.

This was probably from the conversation with Elliot and the girls about having fun. Mona’s words about life being too short increased my desire to take what I wanted.

I’d gotten more cautious with every heartbreak. What if I never got to experience the very thing I’d been dreaming about? What if the world ended tomorrow? Where would that leave me?

Was a dream effective if it was tucked away safely? I was trying my best to make excuses.

I had to know if he wanted me. This was the first step in my mission of The Thief Who Loved Me. We weren’t anywhere close to love, but it gave me hope. It sounded better than The Thief Who Liked Me.

The girls had sent me a fabulous self-care package that sat in my closet. The lingerie was still in the lovely box. I hadn’t had time to think of an occasion to wear it until tonight. I walked into my closet and pulled out the large bag, bringing it out to my bed.

My hand trembled as it slid out of the box. What was wrong with me? I’d never been this nervous with a man. I didn’t want to compare myself to the previous women he’d been with. They probably wore luxurious clothing for him all the time.

Most of all, I didn’t want to compare myself to his ex. What was she like?

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